Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Authorities report more than 200,000 baby sea turtles have been released along Riviera Maya beaches so far this season. With just a few weeks to go before the end of the sea turtle nesting season, more than 150,000 white and green hatchlings have been released along with over 55,000 loggerheads.
Itzel Trujano, President of the Riviera Maya-Tulum Sea Turtle Conservation Program operated by Flora, Fauna and Culture of Mexico, reported the figures from around 8,000 nests.
She says 150,000 hatchlings were released from more than 7,000 white and green turtle nests and that the 55,000 loggerheads were released from around 1,500 nests. Volunteers protect 14 beaches along 120 kilometers of Riviera Maya coastline, of which 38 kilometers is under their charge.
“Thanks to the efforts of so many hands, this season, we have recorded more than 7,000 white turtle nests and more than 1,500 loggerhead nests. Regarding hatchlings, we have more than 150,000 white and green turtles and more than 55,000 loggerhead hatchlings that have made their way to the sea,” she said.
Work to ensure sea turtle nests are protected along the 14 known nesting beaches include agencies such as the EcoBahía Foundation to protect Aventura-DIF beach, the Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Natural Areas of Quintana Roo to protect the Xcacel-Xcacelito sea turtle sanctuary, Xel-há park, Nueva Vida on Canzul beach and Conanp in Tulum National Park along with the Mexican Caribbean Biosphere Reserve.
She explained that part of their work includes correcting bad beach practices like hotel lights that face the beach, beach furniture that interferes with the arrival of adult turtles that come to lay eggs or those that hinder the exit of the hatchlings.
She says garbage on beaches is another problem. Not only can it create another obstacle for hatchlings, it can also be mistaken for food.
