No one is sure why, but there has been a significant drop in sea turtle nests around Puerto Peñasco in 2020, reported Luis César García González, Director of the Federal Maritime Land Zone (ZOFEMAT).
The local ZOFEMAT Director detailed since August his office has confirmed findings of 4 sea turtle nests and rescued 345 eggs, which are then stored in artificial incubation.
Sea turtle nests reported so far this season include:
- Esmeralda (August 30th) 74 eggs
- Las Palmas (September 7th) 89 eggs
- Playa Encanto (September 30th) 104 eggs
- La Jolla (October 8th) 78 eggs
García González remarked while they’re not sure what has caused the reduction in reported sea turtle nests in the area, as in past years nests can also go undetected. Still, between 2017-2020, sea turtle nests have become more frequent along Puerto Peñasco’s beaches. This has spurred volunteers from several local groups, along with individuals, to help guarantee the sea turtle’s life cycle and release of baby sea turtles into the sea.
To help ensure conservation of the endangered species, protocols remain in effect as to reporting sea turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs. ZOFEMAT works closely on these efforts with the local Clean Beach Committee, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (PROFEPA), Tourist Auxiliary Unit, Public Safety, the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans (CEDO), resort security staff, and biologist Itzel Cárdenas of the Vidanta Group.