Cozumel Sees 30 Sea Turtle Nests This Season

Cozumel, Mexico — As part of the municipal government’s efforts to preserve sea turtles on the island, the Subdirectorate of Ecology, with support from various brigades, has intensified monitoring along Cozumel’s coastlines. To date, 30 nests belonging to loggerhead and green sea turtles have been registered.

Conservation Efforts Underway

Judith Argüelles Caamal, Subdirector of Ecology, emphasized that under the directive of Municipal President José Luis Chacón Méndez, authorities are making every effort to ensure the success of this year’s nesting season.

On April 29, the Municipal Committee for the Protection of Sea Turtles was established, involving collaboration from the "Ixpalbarco" Turtle Camp of the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), the state government through the Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation (FPMC) with the Punta Sur Camp, and the municipal-run San Martín Turtle Camp.

“It’s essential for Cozumel residents to have at least one encounter with sea turtles in their lifetime, so they understand the work we do and help us conserve them,” Argüelles Caamal stated.

Educational and awareness activities are being organized with sports clubs and students to involve them in nest marking during morning (7:00–10:00) and evening (17:00–21:00) shifts. Specialized teams will conduct nighttime patrols to detect nesting turtles.

Nesting Data

Since early May, brigades have marked 30 nests in the San Martín Turtle Camp, which monitors over 20 kilometers of the island’s eastern coastline. Of these, 29 belong to loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), while one is from a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), which began arriving just this week.

Public Cooperation Urged

Authorities urged visitors to exercise caution on the eastern beaches: avoid disturbing nest markers, keep pets leashed, maintain cleanliness, and report any sightings of nesting turtles to officials.

The initiative underscores Cozumel’s commitment to safeguarding these endangered species during their critical nesting period.