Yucatan Launches Sea Turtle Nesting Season Protection Operation Along 279 Kilometers of Coastline

Mérida, Yucatán — Yucatan authorities have launched a major protection operation for the 2026 sea turtle nesting season, deploying resources along 279 kilometers of coastline from April 1 to October 31.

The state government and institutions comprising the Committee for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles in Yucatan (Coctomy) aim to surpass last year’s conservation numbers, which saw over 11,000 nests and 724,000 hatchlings released.

Neyra Concepción Silva Rosado, head of the Sustainable Development Secretariat (SDS), announced that the department operates a network of 12 camps distributed along the Yucatan coast in coordination with federal agencies, civil organizations, and educational and research centers. These facilities monitor coastal municipalities including Celestún, Hunucmá, Progreso, Yobaín, Dzidzantún, Dzilam de Bravo, Telchac Puerto, San Felipe, Río Lagartos, and Tizimín.

The strategy includes three Sea Turtle Protection and Conservation Centers located in the western, central-eastern, and eastern zones of the state, plus nine additional camps supported by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), educational institutions like the Center for Technological Studies of the Sea No. 17 (Cetmar 17), and civil organizations including Pronatura, the Lara Corella Foundation, Áak Kuxtal Wildlife Protection, and the Telchac I and II Turtle Clubs.

Silva Rosado stated that this season is part of a conservation policy focused on protecting marine-coastal biodiversity and reinforcing care for species at risk according to NOM-059-Semarnat-2010 regulations.

Protected species include the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), whose presence in Yucatan confirms the environmental importance of the state’s coastline.

Accompanied by representatives from the Environment and Natural Resources Secretariat (Semarnat), the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa), Conanp, and other Coctomy members, Silva Rosado acknowledged the work of institutions and organizations participating in species protection and emphasized the importance of informing the public about the ecological value of sea turtles.

Shelvy Manzano García, Semarnat representative, said coordination between authorities, associations, and media is crucial for expanding social awareness and maintaining these actions year-round, not just during nesting season.

As part of protection measures, authorities urged residents and tourism service providers to avoid removing native vegetation, remove objects obstructing turtle or hatchling passage, redirect or eliminate lights directed toward beaches, and keep the coastline free of vehicle traffic and domestic animals.

Only authorized monitoring vehicles may enter these zones. Officials also recommend using low-voltage directional lighting or red or yellow filters to reduce disorientation of nesting females and hatchlings.