By Jose Antonio Perez
Luis Cesar Garcia Gonzalez, Director of the Federal Maritime Land Zone (ZOFEMAT), reports preparations are already underway for the 2018 sea turtle nesting period. This comes following the unprecedented season of 2017 when over 700 eggs were collected and protected, resulting in the release of nearly 400 baby turtles along the beaches of Puerto Peñasco. García González noted while there are no specific dates as to when sea turtles may appear to nest, this could possibly take place as the weather gets warmer through Spring.
The ZOFEMAT director pointed out preparations include training of security staff at local resorts, along with fishermen. It’s worth recalling in 2017 turtle nests were found in spots near Sonoran Sun, Las Palomas, Las Palmas, Bella Sirena, and Esmeralda along Sandy Beach, as well as in Las Conchas and Mayan Palace.
Both the municipal government and Clean Beach Committee are committed to raising awareness within the community as to the importance of being “agents of change” to better living conditions for all new generations. He added besides being an important environmental project, this training also complies with established protocols put in place by the Mexican Institute for Normalization and Certification regarding Peñasco’s 2017 Clean Beach accreditation in the Sandy Beach area.