Latest signage to appear in Akumal Centro and erected by Centro Ecological de Akumal (CEA) concerns the appearance of the FP tumors on area sea turtles . This sea turtle virus, Fibropapillomatosis (FP), causes tumors to grow on flippers, faces, and other soft areas of sea turtles, especially the Green Sea Turtles. These tumors can interfere with the turtles’ ability to escape predators, to see, and to eat. Tumors have also been found in internal organs.
According to research, the increase of FP, which is a world-wide scourge, has been attributed to environmental pollution and probably climate change. High incidences of the virus have been observed in off-shore areas near high concentration of agricultural run-off and high population density. Although our coast doesn’t have many large cities, there are a significant number of high density hotel complexes.
Since sea turtles are one of the few species that eat sea grass, they play a pivotal role in maintaining the ecological balance of our oceans.
The signs offer many solid suggestions of what people using the ocean can do to affect positively our local resources, especially the Akumal sea turtles. (click on photo to enlarge) The web has several interesting articles that provide more scientific information about FP.
• only use biodegradable products for your skin protection
• never touch the turtles or the coral
• do not crowd or follow the turtles
• limit your observation time to 2 minutes in groups of six
• keep horizontal position at all times in the water
• do not step on the sea grass
I have been diving here for over 30 years n have seen this in the last 3 years. Mostly on the turtle’s eyes. I can say that I have seen at least 3 this year. One of the concerns I have is the sunscreen issue. As a diver, we NEVER use it but, almost 50% of the snorkelers do. I believe this should be addresses before they ever sigh for the tours and if they do use ot, should be admonished for it. I addressed several snorkelers in the 5 weeks I was there n almost all said they did not know. Signs do not help. Everyone needs to be watchful of this whether swimmers or divers or snorkelers. I can only imagine how many swimmers that apply this every day.