Cancún Protects Over 607,000 Sea Turtle Eggs in 2026 Nesting Season

Protected sea turtle nests in corrals on Playa Delfines in Cancún.

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The municipality of Benito Juárez has reported protecting more than 607,000 sea turtle eggs and 5,213 nests during the 2026 nesting season, marking a significant milestone in conservation efforts along the city’s beaches.

Acting Mayor Landy Guadalupe Canché Pantoja toured the protective corrals at Playa Delfines, accompanied by Ecology Director Fernando Haro Salinas, who presented the progress of the “Sea Turtle Protection and Conservation Program.”

Haro Salinas said that during the nesting season, which runs from May to December, authorities have set up about 48 protective corrals, four of them on Playa Delfines. The corrals safeguard nests across 12 kilometers of coastline between Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc.

“To date, we have protected 5,213 nests and 607,856 eggs,” Haro Salinas said. “These results reflect the coordinated work we are doing.”

Canché Pantoja emphasized the importance of public participation. She urged residents and visitors to follow protection measures: do not approach or handle turtles or hatchlings, avoid using flashlights or bright lights at night, and report sightings to 911, the Ecology Department, or hotel staff, who are trained to respond.

Authorities also noted that sargassum seaweed is being removed regularly from public beaches to keep them clean and facilitate the turtles’ arrival for nesting.

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By Ana Reyes

Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx