July 13, 2005
We have 75 nests in Half Moon Bay, and 125 more from Akumal Bay to South Akumal; currently a total of 10 have hatched.

July 5, 2005
There are 150 nests; four nests have hatched. One nest had 114 babies.

June 21, 2005
We currently have 55 nests in Half Moon Bay, and 60 distributed around Akumal Bay, Jade Beach and South Akumal.

June 18, 2005
With the goal of integrating all the people who work on the beach into our sea turtle protection activities, the first beach management workshop of the turtle season was held on May 26 and 27, with the participation of beach security guards from three different agencies. CEA’s objective is to engage the community in our sea turtle protection activities. Among the issues covered were sea turtle biology and the State Committee’s Sea Turtle Protection guidelines for proper beach management and record-keeping during the 2005 season.

The season has so far been very successful, as measured by the number of nests present on the four beaches included on our SEMARNAT license. To date, there are 86 nests—more than all of last season.

We remind all visitors to turn off lights that face the beach during the season, helping us ensure that mother turtles can peacefully make their way to the beach to nest and that hatchlings can then make it safely to the sea.

We would like to especially thank the security personnel and residents of Akumal for helping us on the beaches at night.

Ivan Caballero, Coordinator of the Sea Turtle Program, during a presentation for tourists,
before leaving to patrol the beaches


Anthony Pianosi, volunteer, measuring a turtle


Ivan tagging a turtle


Ivan and volunteer Alejandro Remirez carefully relocating a nest


A relocated nest

• Turn off or shield lights that face the beach. Light can disorient turtles. Please—no fires, no flash photos.
• If you must walk on the beach at night, avoid making noise, avoid smoking and use a flashlight with a red filter on it.
• If you see a turtle on the beach do not approach it. Move slowly and keep quiet;
  let her finish laying her eggs and return to the sea.
• Keep your pets indoors at night and keep an eye on them during the day. Dogs can scare turtles off the beach, destroy nests, and eat hatchlings.
• Avoid beach parties at night during nesting season.
• Nests will be marked. Please do not disturb!
• Bring your chairs, toys, and sport equipment off the beach at night.
• Report your nesting or hatching observations to CEA; note time and place.
• Please remember that handling sea turtles without the proper authorization is a federal offense.
• Do not consume any turtle products.
• Avoid harassing the turtles in the bays or reefs—regardless of the season.