38 Years of Sea Turtle Protection in Cozumel

Cozumel, Mexico — The Foundation of Parks and Museums of Cozumel (FPMC) reaffirms its pioneering role in the protection of sea turtles, with 38 years of uninterrupted work that involves the community in the conservation of this emblematic species and in permanent environmental education programs that foster ecological awareness in children and adults.

The Director of Conservation and Environmental Education, Rafael Chacón Díaz, reported that in the current nesting season, a total of 972 nests have been registered, of which 133 correspond to loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and 839 to white turtles (Chelonia mydas).

Thanks to the effort of the technical team and social participation, 9,850 turtle eggs have been protected, from which 2,929 hatchlings have been born and released: 831 loggerheads and 2,098 white turtles. The rest of the hatchlings were born and made their way to the sea on their own.

For his part, the person in charge of the Punta Sur Turtle Camp, Ricardo Peralta Núñez, explained that in addition to nest monitoring, a beach cleaning program is carried out year-round to remove solid waste that could prevent the arrival of turtles to lay their eggs.

He added that so far this year, 2,835.15 kilograms of waste have been collected with the participation of 484 volunteers, including 234 women, 108 men, 92 girls, and 50 boys.

He recalled that the first nest was registered on April 18 of this year, and five months after that event, results are available that reflect the collective commitment to the preservation of the species.

The General Director of the FPMC, Juanita Alonso Marrufo, highlighted that these conservation actions align with the New Agreement for the Well-being and Development of Quintana Roo, led by Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa, whose commitment to the natural wealth of the state finds an example in Cozumel with the protection of a flagship species like sea turtles, which are fundamental to the balance of coastal and marine ecosystems.

With these actions, the FPMC reaffirms its leadership in the care of biodiversity, as well as its vocation to involve society in the construction of a solid environmental culture that guarantees the future of the next generations.