Cancún’s Sea Turtle Nesting Hits Record High

CANCÚN, MX — With 48 protective enclosures installed and more than one million eggs safeguarded, the destination is experiencing one of its best sea turtle nesting seasons on record, according to Fernanda Haro Salinas, Director of Ecology for the Benito Juárez municipality.

"The enclosures were expanded because this is a high season; we already have more than one million eggs secured in the enclosures," the official explained in an interview.

She highlighted that, despite the expansion, numerous nests continue to be found outside the protected enclosures. Consequently, she issued a call to tourists and residents of Cancún to respect the rules of the municipal sea turtle protection program.

"We ask the tourists and Cancún residents who visit our beaches to respect the rules of the municipal turtle program: do not interact with the species, do not shine lights directly on them, and in case they encounter hatchlings emerging, do not touch them, simply respect them. If necessary, call 911 or the phones of the General Directorate of Ecology," she stated.

Haro Salinas mentioned that hotels have trained personnel to guide visitors in the event of a sighting, should any tourist encounter a specimen.

Infrastructure and Ongoing Efforts

Regarding infrastructure, she indicated, "There are the 48 enclosures; the two installed by the Directorate of Ecology, both at Playa Delfines and Playa Marlín, we had to expand due to high demand."

Furthermore, she acknowledged the work of the personnel who conduct daily patrols to protect the nests. "The work done by the turtle conservation workers in our municipality is remarkable, and well, we are progressing, we are doing well, truly," she commented.

The nesting season extends until October, when the laying of eggs concludes, while the release of hatchlings continues until December or early January. "We still have three months left in the year," said Haro Salinas.

Separate Reforestation Initiative

On a separate topic, she noted that the Directorate of Ecology carries out a weekend reforestation program with the goal of planting 11,000 trees by 2027. "Right now we are at 975 trees, and this weekend we will surpass one thousand," she added.