Mahahual, Quintana Roo — Beach erosion caused by the arrival of sargassum is preventing some sea turtles from nesting in Mahahual, forcing them to return to the sea in search of other sites to lay their eggs, environmentalists warn.
In other cases, turtles have been left exposed and preyed upon by jaguars or affected by human activity, said Víctor Rosales Hernández, president of the civil association Proyecto Aak Mahahual.
Although precise data is not available, Rosales noted that several turtles have returned to the sea after failing to find suitable conditions to complete their reproductive cycle in this area of the Caribbean.
Nest Numbers Drop in 2026 Season
He explained that there is no specific location with better conditions, as the entire coastline faces similar challenges, making it difficult for turtles to find adequate nesting sites. For example, last year up to 20 nests were recorded in some areas, while in 2026 only about five have been counted so far, though the season has just begun.
“We have seen very severe beach erosion; we don’t have enough sand, which is what turtles need to nest, whether on the beach or in the dune. With the amount of sargassum and erosion, we no longer have the conditions we used to,” he said.
Rosales also reported finding dead turtles believed to have been attacked by jaguars, but warned that in some cases humans have taken advantage of these events, which he called a crime, as all sea turtle species in Mexico are protected under NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 as endangered species.
“Jaguars eat turtles; it’s natural, it’s part of the food chain. The problem is that there are still people who take advantage of these cases to consume meat or eggs, which is prohibited,” he stressed.
Jaguars and Human Activity Increase Risks
He insisted that such practices are concerning because they also disrupt the ecological balance, as jaguars expend energy hunting and then seek other prey, such as dogs, when food is scarce.
He also made clear that consuming turtle meat has no medicinal or aphrodisiac benefits, contrary to popular beliefs.
The president of Proyecto Aak Mahahual noted that the nesting period runs from May to October, and so far about 40 loggerhead turtle nests and 30 green turtle nests have been recorded.
