Sea turtle nesting is making a strong comeback on Puerto Vallarta’s beaches after two years of decline. The warm waters and sandy coastline of Banderas Bay are once again becoming a haven for the Olive Ridley turtle, which is now in the midst of its nesting season.
Activity at the Boca de Tomates turtle camp has been particularly high. Back in August, over 30 nests were collected along just four kilometers of beach in one night. The camp is optimistic that this season’s nesting numbers will return to the high levels seen a few years ago.
Across the entire municipality, including the Boca de Tomates and Marina Vallarta camps, as many as 4,000 nests are collected during a strong season. These conservation efforts are proving highly effective, with hatching rates exceeding 92 percent, a rate higher than the natural average.
It’s important for the public to remember that all sea turtles in Mexico are protected by law. It is illegal to touch the animals or their eggs. Hernández Mora urged observers to act responsibly by keeping a safe distance, avoiding bright lights and camera flashes, and reporting sightings to 911 so experts can respond.
Source: Banderas News
