Cozumel, Q.R. — The first sea turtle nest of the 2024 season has been recorded on the island of Cozumel. The Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation marked the first nest on the beaches of the Punta Sur turtle camp Thursday night.
In a statement, the Fundación de Parques y Museos of Cozumel reported locating the nest, which they said, officially started the nesting season. The nest was marked with the traditional dated stick in the sand for the sea turtle egg monitoring.
Cozumel biologist Rafael Chacón Díaz said that like every year around this time, the arrival of sea turtles begins. He says they travel great distances to nest on Cozumel beaches, where after hatching, the babies enter the sea to begin their life cycle.
He said that many of those that survive and reach adulthood return to the island to begin a new cycle.
“Today we mark the first marine turtle nest on the beaches of the Punta Sur turtle camp.
“It’s the official start of the arrival season for these majestic creatures! Our team at the Conservation and Environmental Education Center and valuable volunteers will take action to protect and monitor this 2024 season,” the Fundación de Parques y Museos of Cozumel reported.
Cozumel sea turtle nesting camps are located in the Punta Sur ecotourism park and Playa San Martín. The first nest, which was found Thursday night, is considered early and could mark the start of a very busy season.
