As you all know, CEA´s oldest program is the Marine Turtle Protection and Conservation Program that started in 1995. In this, our 22nd consecutive turtle camp we have an early visit of the mommas. Centro Ecológico Akumal proudly announces the 2017 Turtle Season. The first nest of the 2017 season was laid on April 25th, surprisingly on Playa Tortuga with a second on Bahía Akumal the 26th. Yes, season is starting early in Akumal as well as in many places up and down the coastline. With the arrival of this first turtle, anticipation for another busy season on Akumal’s beaches has begun . After last year’s total count of 801 nests, CEA is hoping for another big year.
CEA has a great staff to protect the turtles and hatchlings while on our beaches but needs your help as well. Below are some specific requests and laws for owners, renters, and guests who would like to do their part to help the future of our beloved Tortugas Marinas. Also, if you would like to volunteer to work with the turtle program while you are here, CEA’s Voluntourist program just may be what you are looking for. You can contact Amanda Baye –[email protected] or Rozanne Quintero – [email protected]. CEA has also provided printable info in lovely poster style that you can frame and place in your rental property to give a quick reminder to your guests during season:
http://ceakumal.org/attachment/CEA-Help%20us%20protect%20turtles-poster-2.png
http://media.wix.com/ugd/ba058b_a6e2b6bbc3254341bfed244d37cca05b.pdf
• Do not walk on beach between 9 pm – 5 am
• If encountering a turtle, do NOT approach—alert security or the CEA team member. (These mothers do come up close to the houses to nest sometimes.)
• When hatchlings are noted—do NOT touch them. Keep your distance and alert security or CEA
• Keep all beach furniture and sports items up close to house and not on lower beach area so turtles do not get entangled, trapped, or disoriented.
• NO flashlights are to be used—if necessary ONLY RED light is allowed.
• NO flash photography
• Never touch the turtles, hatchlings, or nests: it is a FEDERAL OFFENSE punishable by law.
• Be sure all outside lighting is off or filtered and all inside lighting is kept to a minimum
• Keep noise level very low as to not disturb the nesting mothers.
• NEW 2017: NO DOGS allowed on beach due to Government declaration including all Akumal Beaches – a Marine Refuge area.
CEA would like to thank everyone for interest in helping them protect the future of the sea turtles.
Want to know the beginning and end months of the turtle nesting season in Akumal so that we can knowledgeably inform our guests about not walking on the beach after 9 pm and about lights from the condo at night.
Thank you.
Kassie Witte
It’s pretty much May to the end of October.