Grupo Ecologico Prepares for Next Turtle Season Frank Smith - Grupo Ecologico
February 3, 2022

The 2021 nesting season has come to a challenging end, and now it’s time to take a break and enlist volunteers for the coming season. We expect there will be a few late-season nests between February to mid-July. If these late nests are in a safe area, they will be left in place to hatch naturally, as they have for millions of years.

The omicron pandemic has caused a ripples in our program, two of our volunteers had become infected with the Omicron virus, but their symptoms were mild. Two others returned to the US earlier than expected, feeling that it was safer. The remaining sixteen members and volunteers feel comparable and safe here in San Pancho. Also, per 100K people, México is safer than the US in all categories.

Due to a spreadsheet error, the total number of nests relocated last season was reduced to 1,157, while the estimated total number of hatchlings that made it to the sea was reduced to 92,028. Over 57 nests were poached, and 10 nests were washed out. The updated grand total for the season came to 1,224, still the second-largest season.

I have received many emails and telephone calls asking for the date and time of the next hatchling release. Unfortunately, because of the ongoing pandemic, we will not be publicly releasing hatchlings until it is safe again. Also, if we do release again, it will be between mid-August to mid-November.

Releasing of hatchlings around the world and especially in third world countries has become questionable, and never-the-less is responsible for the demise of millions of hatchlings. The cause; If hatchlings are confined in containers for hours, in some cases for days for the pleasure of tourists, primarily at resorts and hotels, will depleted their energy and reduce their chances of surviving a long journey out to sea.

Good news for the Marine turtle and “a win-win for commercial fisheries and marine wildlife, researchers have found that using lighted nets greatly reduced accidental bycatch of sharks, rays, sea turtles, and unwanted finfish.”

This content was submitted by a member of the community. We'd like to hear from you, too! To share stories, photos, video or events, please send them here.

  Learn about Grupo Ecologico de Puerto Vallarta