First Sea Turtle Hatchlings of 2026 Season Recorded in Cozumel
Cozumel, Quintana Roo — The Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation (FPMC) has reported the first sea turtle hatchlings of the 2026 nesting season at the Punta Sur Turtle Camp.
Camp technical director Ricardo Peralta Muñoz said that as of the end of June, 165 nests are under protection — 51 belonging to the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and 114 to the green or white turtle (Chelonia mydas). Monitoring efforts resulted in the release of 219 loggerhead hatchlings from five nests, after protecting a total of 477 eggs.
To help adult females reach the shore and hatchlings crawl to the sea, technical staff and volunteers removed 856.5 kilograms of solid waste during beach cleanups along the coastline.
Rafael Chacón Díaz, director of Conservation and Environmental Education, said preservation efforts rely on volunteer and community participation on the island. FPMC Director General Juanita Alonso Marrufo noted that the conservation program follows the guidelines of the state’s Development Plan for natural heritage preservation.
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
