By José Antonio Pérez
Puerto Peñasco’s first reported sea turtle nest was spotted on Sept. 10th in front of the Playa Bonita RV Park. In a coordinated effort of staff from the Federal Maritime Zone (ZOFEMAT), the Federal Environment Agency (PROFEPA), and biologist Itzel Cárdenas of the Vidanta Group, sixty-nine eggs in all were collected to be safely stored in artificial incubation.
Earlier this summer, ZOFEMAT coordinator Luis Cesar García González affirmed there had been a turtle sighting on the beach next to Cet-Mar high school. This was thought to be the first turtle nest of the year. Authorities initially cordoned off the area, though it was determined the turtle had returned to sea without laying any eggs.
Though no eggs were collected from the first sea turtle spotting, the ZOFEMAT coordinator indicated it was still a good sign and reinforcement training programs were soon to get underway.
Despite the fact the appearance of turtles on our shores seems to be delayed, when compared to previous years, Puerto Peñasco is on permanent alert to care for and preserve turtle eggs nested on its beaches.
The municipal administration and the Clean Beach Committee, with help of biologist Itzel Cardenas from Grupo Vidanta, as well as CEDO, and beach resorts have expressed their commitment to detecting sea turtles as they arrive on our shores so conservation protocols can be put into place.
The 2017 sea turtle nesting season in the area concluded with the collection of 700 eggs and 400 baby turtles being born, while the 2018 season saw 430 baby turtles released out of 696 eggs.
