Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Authorities say the number of loggerhead and white sea turtles have increased this year along Quintana Roo beaches. More than 13,000 nests have been recorded so far this season.
In Cozumel, 357 nests have been recorded in the Punta Sur Turtle Camp, operated by the Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation (FPMC). The camp’s manager, Carlos Ricardo Peralta Muñoz, says 128 are loggerhead and 229 are white turtles.
“The turtles released approximately 20 years ago are beginning to return to these beaches to continue their reproductive cycle, while the presence of older turtles has been reduced,” he said.
From the Cozumel nests, 695 hatchlings have been released of which 58 were white turtles and 637 were loggerheads.
In Playa del Carmen, 1,500 nests are currently being monitored. Samantha Álvarez Hernández, the Secretary of Sustainable Environment, reported that this figure reflects a positive pace with no significant impact from the presence of sargassum.
She says there are six conservation camps operating along the coastal strip where seven specialized personnel work around the clock with the support of ATVs to supervise the nests.
“This surveillance has allowed us to maintain control over nesting areas and respond promptly to incidents.” She said only one incident has been reported this year, which was a coati digging up a nest.
“One isolated case of a coati attacking a nest was reported, but no poaching or other threats have been reported so the balance is considered favorable so far,” she said.
Cancun has reported the largest number of nests as of the end of July with 3,528. Fernando Haro Salinas, the Director of the Cancun Ecology Department, says so far this year a total of 3,528 sea turtle nests have been recorded with 427,901 eggs and 2,945 hatchlings in 43 pens.
This is done in collaboration with the hotels along the 12 kilometers of beach that are turtle nesting areas. He says patrols are made day and night to protect the eggs in the pens. Haro Salinas says to date, 15 sea turtle strandings have been reported.
Itandehui Ramos, President of the State Committee for the Conservation, Research and Management of the Sea Turtle of Quintana Roo, says there are currently more than 13,800 sea turtle nests being protected along the entire coast of Quintana Roo.
