Historically, conservation strategies have followed two distinct paradigms: top-down and bottom-up. Since 1982 the Brazilian Sea Turtle Conservation Program (TAMAR) collaborative effort to support sea turtle conservation has implemented a carrot-and-stick approach to control poaching in Brazil. In this paper I analyze TAMAR's conservation outcomes for residents from the villages of Praia do Forte and Imbassai that use turtles. Nine months of ethnographic research show that law enforcement has been essential to control poaching in both villages. Economic benefits from ecotourism are vital in Praia do Forte where TAMAR operates a visitor center and research station since 1982. Overall, both communities now support the protection rather than the consumption of the species.