Sea Turtle Protection Program

Turtle Watch!

2007-09-18T23:28:00.000-05:00

Hurricane Dean: The Aftermath

As many of you know, after hurricane Dean, the beaches of Akumal were devastated. The turtle nests we had, were lost. Centro Ecológico Akumal is working with great effort in order to locate as much nests as possible, even if the sign posts are nowhere to be found.

On September 14, we found two Caretta Caretta nests (Loggerhead), releasing 178 loggerhead hatchlings safely to the ocean. We also found five Chelonia Mydas (Green Turtle) nests, releasing 446 green turtle hatchlings.

Before Dean we had:

82 Loggerhead nests and 67 Green Turtle nests.

4314 Loggerhead & 804 Green Turtle hatchlings released.

Because of the hurricane, 2 Loggerhead nests and 4 Green Turtle nests were relocated.

CEA continues working day and night to protect sea turtles. We greatly thank you for your support, and we hope this turtle season recovers from the hurricane.

Thank you for all your comments and donations. Don’t forget you can strongly help us reporting any anomaly in your hotels or condominiums, as well as in any beach you visit. For further information read our recommendations for the turtle nesting season, or email us: tortuga@ceakuaml.org

Meet The Volunteers

2007-09-18T23:07:00.000-05:00

Meet Heidi!

Heidi Karlberg
31 years old
Wellingborough, England

Heidi joined the Turtle and Education program on August and will be leaving on October.

Meet The Volunteers

2007-09-18T23:04:00.000-05:00

Meet Jasmine!

Jasmine Ferrario
21 years old
Casalpusterlengo, Italia

Jasmine joined the Turtle program on July and will be leaving on October.

Meet The Volunteers

2007-09-18T23:01:00.000-05:00

Meet Amalia!

Amalia Syeda
20 years old
Cheltenham, England

Amalia joined the Turtle and Education program on August and will be leaving on December.

Meet The Volunteers

2007-09-18T22:52:00.000-05:00

Meet Amanda!

Amanda Batlle
24 years old
Mataró, Barcelona. Spain

Amanda is helping CEA in the Turtle and Education program. She joined CEA on August and will be leaving on October.

Meet The Volunteers

2007-09-18T22:46:00.000-05:00

Meet Elly!

Elly Greig
20 years
Norwich, England

Elly currently studies in Queen Mary University of London. She is a volunteer in the education and turtle program here at CEA. She joined the program on August and is leaving on January.

Turtle News!

2007-09-18T20:23:00.000-05:00

Important Events

Be sure to join us in the following events!

October 6 International Beach Clean - Up

October 18, 19. 5th Sea Turtle Festival

If you would like to donate something other than money to CEA, we would appreciate the following:

Presents for children for our different contests in the schools or Pueblo
Photo Camera for CEA office
Blankets for volunteers dorms
Fans for la Escuelita and Casa de la Tortuga
Microwave for the kitchen
Computer for volunteers
Donations to renew our Information Center

For more information go to CEA homepage or call 9848759095

Turtle News!

2007-09-18T20:22:00.000-05:00

Nesting Season Is Over

We are not having more Turtle Walks, the nesting season is over but we will be having hatchling release till November. We will be doing them at 7:00 PM. You do not have to sign up for it, just show up at CEA. Donations are more than welcome especially now that Hurricane Dean came.

Turtle News!

2007-09-16T23:52:00.000-05:00

Hurricane Dean hits Akumal

For pictures of the Hurricane and an entry by Alma, please click here.

Welcome!

2007-08-23T04:00:00.000-05:00

As a director of Centro Ecológico Akumal, I welcome you to our sea turtle blog. It is very important to me and my staff that we share information of our work in the Akumal region and hopefully, you will join us in our efforts to protect these incredible species. After many years of working in biodiversity conservation, I have learned that much more can be achieved when we join forces for these noble objectives. Centro Ecológico Akumal does not achieve anything without all the generous support from so many people, especially the volunteers who come to Akumal each year to patrol the beaches at night, clean beaches, inform visitors and help with just about everything in the day-to-day operations of our sea turtle protection program. In fact, thanks to more wonderful volunteers and students, this blog was put together and helps us reach all of you. Likewise, this blog is a chance for you (volunteer or visitor) to be involved with us from anywhere in the world, and experience all the things that are going on in our Turtle Program.

Thank you for your interest and support. Please come by the Center if you are in Akumal.

Sincerely,

Paul Sánchez-Navarro Russell
Director, Centro Ecológico Akumal
Akumal, Quintana Roo

77730, México

(52) 984-875-9095

Letter From The Editor

2007-08-23T03:03:00.000-05:00

Dear visitor:

First of all I want to welcome you to the first edition of CEA's Sea Turtle Protection, Conservation and Research Program blog. It's a chance for you to get to know our Turtle Program and Turtle Camp better, and to keep up to date with all the exciting things we do for Sea Turtle Protection.

For all of you first timers, I want to explain how to surf around this particular blog. At the right you'll find a column with the Features. You can click any feature you want but keep in mind that this is not a webpage, it's a blog, so the recomended way to read it is the following:

1. Welcome: Message from Paul, CEA's director.
2. Letter from the Editor
3. Turtle Camp: Information about our camp.
4. Akumal's Sea Turtles: Information about the turtles in Akumal.
5. Meet the Volunteers: A chance for you to meet the volunteers that help us reach our goal.
6. Volunteer Journal: A chance for you to read some first hand experiences while turtling from our volunteers.
7. Turtle Watch: Up to date information on how many turtle nests and hatchlings we have.
8. Turtle News: News on turtles worldwide!
9. Your Own Experience: A chance for you to tell us your own experience while turtling in Akumal.

Keep in mind that the first entry or post you have to read is the last one that appears on the page, this is because the order you have to follow while surfing any kind of blog is from bottom to top.

If you are not first timers, just surf away! This blog will be updated constantly so don't forget to check it every day.

Atte.

The Editor in Chief

Your Own Experience

2007-08-04T00:45:00.000-05:00

Hello!

I am Avery and I am 9 years old. I come from California and my family was in Mexico in July. I was staying in a hotel right in front of Jade Beach. On the 2nd night we were there, we saw a mother turtle come up on the beach. The third night we saw the first nest of the season hatch. The last night we were there, we got to hold, name, and release a baby turtle. It was really fun.

-Avery
July 2007
California

Turtle Watch!

2007-08-04T00:15:00.000-05:00

Information gathered till August 3:

Loggerhead nests: 73

Green Turtle nests: 42

Loggerhead Hatchlings that got safely to the ocean: 2675

Green Turtle Hatchlings that got safely to the ocean: 185

Turtle News

2007-07-24T00:10:00.000-05:00

Mariana & Kyla leave today!
We're gonna miss you guys! Hope you return soon.
Thank you for your work and your support. We will never forget you.

Turtle News!

2007-07-21T18:46:00.000-05:00

The Green Turtle hatchlings are here!

On the early morning of July 21, a Green Turtle's nest hatched. After seeing a lot of Loggerhead hatchlings lately, the CEA volunteers were really excited to finally meet the Green one's.

Join The Program

2007-07-21T18:45:00.000-05:00

If you want to join our Turtle Camp and experience being a volunteer for a while, read ahead!

Volunteers Program

CEA has a Volunteer Program for individuals who wish to donate their time and expertise to help this small ecological group meet its goals. Volunteers input data to computer, write, edit, create publications, do systems, as well as other tasks.

Being a Turtle Program Volunteer

Raising awareness among tourist and residents on sea turtle biology and conservation issues is the most important thing on this job. Every night volunteers have to participate in our Turtle Talks to give information to the people who visit us.

Skills required:

The patrol work is hard. Digging and moving nests is particularly strenuous, and the work day begins at sunset, because that’s when the turtles nest and hatch. The turtles don’t run on a human calendar; they nest seven days a week. So, this is a job for a night person who can work hard for several days.

Monitoring turtles on the bay is hard too. Snorkel in the bay it’s not easy, we required people who are in good health, who are able to swim for long periods, and do not suffer “seasickness”.

Protecting, monitoring, and uploading to a computer all turtles’ data is the main purpose of this program, but you will also be asked to help with other aspects of life at CEA, such as giving information and presentations about our work to tourists, as the Turtle Talk (please let us know if you have the interest and the ability to give it), taking local kids to release hatchlings, or helping organize educational events (among a variety of things). So we required volunteers that speak at least two languages.

Although it would be a plus for selection, no previous background in science or marine and turtle biology is required, but you must have a strong interest in wildlife and conservation. We always ask you to look for turtle information before coming; even though you would receive a proper training here.

Participants are expected to be enthusiastic, adventurous, be able to work as part of a team, be respectful of the host country’s environment and culture, and have a good sense of humor.

Life at CEA

During your stay at CEA you will be lodged in dorms with the other volunteers of the program, as well as various local fauna representatives, and will also have access to a fully furnished kitchen.

You will be living in community for a long period of time, thus you are expected to have a proper attitude and be respectful of others and rules.

Usage of drugs or any illegal substance is strictly prohibited, and anyone caught using them will immediately be asked to leave CEA without condition.

Other general information

-Please note that we do not accept volunteers under the age of 21.

-According to the number of applicants for the program, a strict selection of the applications will be made.

-The minimum length of stay is 2 months.

-The fee for the program is 200 USD (foreigners), 100 USD (Mexicans) for your whole stay. Your payment is due one month before the start of the program.

-You must have a valid passport and visa or FM3 for the length of your stay. It is your responsibility to have up-to-date migratory documents.

-It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the recommended vaccinations and take any prescribed or advised medication. Please note that CEA can not give medical advice.

-You should have valid insurance for medical services.

-The limit application date is at least 1 month before the dates you want start the program.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information or an application form.

Volunteers and Communication Program
Alma Boada S: comunicacion@ceakumal.org

Meet The Volunteers

2007-07-21T18:25:00.000-05:00

Meet Susi!

Susi Maquieira
29 years old
Spain

Susi is a very determined and caring girl.

Reason for being here:

The reason for my being here is that I love animals. I knew of CEA's Turtle Program because of the internet and I immediately applied. It's a great way to contribute in protecting an endangered specie and a great way for me to learn more things about them. It's also a great opportunity to get to know this country.

Susi joined the program August and is leaving on October.

Volunteer Journal

2007-07-15T19:57:00.000-05:00

On May 21 at 5:00 pm I arrived at CEA. I was tired, hungry, but really excited to be there. Two hours later, I went turtling wearing flipflops, a skirt (yeap a skirt!), and had no idea what to do. I met Armando and all the other volunteers and started walking down the beach. Everyone was kind of power walking and already knew where every rock was, and were used to seeing at night. I was freaking out. I couldn't see a thing and I was so ashamed of having to use a flashlight (with red filter of course) to light my way. When I got to Turtle Beach I was exhausted. Ohmigod, walking on the beach with flipflops and with no food inside is not an easy thing to do. We waited there for turtles to come up and meanwhile I talked to Armando. He explained everything that the Turtle Camp did, how to spot turtles on the beach, how to tell apart turtle tracks, and the thing that really stayed on my mind was that you know immediately if a person is fit to do the job. He or she has to have a special connection with the animal. I just hoped that I could do it cause right that minute I was about to die of exhaustion. Then, a turlte came up. She started laying the eggs and we approached it (it's safe to approach it when she's laying). I crawled all the way to the nest and saw the laying process.

Wow... wow... there's no bigger word than Wow.

It was amazing and the feeling you get when you see it, is indiscribable. I knew that even though I was tired and inexperienced, this was going to be the best two months ever.

Time passed and I am proud to say that I don't use a flashlight anymore to walk on the beach. I know how to spot turtles coming up, and the best part of this is that 3 weeks ago, I got to see the result of all the turtle camp efforts: Hatchlings going safely to the water! In my opinion, the best thing in the whole world are the hatchlings. I just couldn't stop smiling when I saw them crawl out of their nest and we helped them get to the water by lighting the ocean with our flashlights.

I leave CEA in 9 days, and I have to say that I don't want to! It has been a great experience and a dream come true to realize that my efforts, as little as they seem, are really helping this wonderful creature to not disappear from the face of the earth.

-Mariana Isunza
May-July, 2007

Turtle News!

2007-07-15T19:18:00.000-05:00

Adopt a nest at CEA and help avoid extinction!

Find out how at CEA homepage or call: 9848759095

Volunteer Journal

2007-07-15T18:34:00.000-05:00

Although I've been here for a few days I have to say that I really loved to see a Green Turtle nesting. The turtle in general is a beautiful animal and to see them laying the eggs is amazing. I haven't seen hatchlings yet but I'm hoping to see some soon. I think I'm gonna like that a lot because it's the real reason of our being here. To ensure their safe journey to the water. So, in 60 days I guess I'll see the cycle of life begin.

-Susi Maquieira
July 15, 2007
Spain

Akumal's Sea Turtles

2007-07-15T18:32:00.000-05:00

About Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are egg-laying reptiles that breathe air.

Turtles first evolved over 245 million years ago.

They live in tropical and temperate oceans.

Of the 8 existing species of sea turtle, 4 nest in Quintana Roo.

Their primary predators are birds, crabs, racoons and humans.

All sea turlte species are protected by law because they are threatened by extinction.

Akumal's Sea Turtles

Akumal means "Place of the Turtles" in Maya. Year-round you can find them feeding in our bays, and during nesting season they lay their nests on Akumal Bay, Half Moon Bay, Jade or Turtle Beach and South Akumal.

Akumal's Turtles are the Green Turtle and the Loggerhead Turtle. You can see the Hawksbill Turtle swiming in the bay but it will never come up to nest here.

Akumal's Sea Turtles

2007-07-15T18:30:00.000-05:00

The Green Turtle

The green turtle, whose scientific name is Chelonia Mydas, is easily distinguished from other sea turtles because it has a single pair of prefrontal scales (scales in front of its eyes), rather than two pairs as the other sea turtles have. It's head is small and blunt with a serrated jaw. Carapace is bony without ridges and has large, non overlapping scutes (scales) present with only 4 lateral scutes. Body is nearly oval and is more depressed (flattened) compared to Pacific Green Turtles. All flippers have 1 visible claw. The carapace color varies from pale to very dark green and plain to very brilliant yellow, brown and green tones with radiating stripes. The plastron varies from white, dirty white or yellowish in the Atlantic populations to dark grey-bluish-green in the Pacific populations. Hatchlings are dark-brown or nearly black with a white underneath and white flipper margins.

Size: Adults are 3.5 to 4 feet in carapace length (76-91 cm). The largest green turtle ever found was 5 feet (152 cm) in length and 871 pounds (395 kg).

Weight: Adults weigh between 300 to 400 pounds (136-180 kg).

Diet: Changes significantly during its life. When less than 8 to 10 inches in length they eat worms, young crustaceans, aquatic insects, grasses and algae. Once green turtles reach 8 to 10 inches in length, they mostly eat sea grass and algae. It's the only sea turtle that is strictly herbivorous as an adult. Their jaws are finely serrated which aids them in tearing vegetation.

Habitat: Mainly stay near the coastline and around islands and live in bays and protected shores, especially in areas with seagrass beds. Rarely are they observed in the open ocean.

Nesting: Green turtles nest at intervals of 2, 3, or more years, with wide year-to-year fluctuations in numbers of nesting females. They nest between 3 to 5 times per season and lay an average of 115 eggs in each nest. The eggs hatch in about 45 to 60 days.

Range: Found in all temperate and tropical waters throughout the world.

Status: Listed as Endangered (in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future) under the U.S. Federal Endangered Species Act. International - Listed as Endangered (facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Threats to Survival: The greatest threat is from the commercial harvest for eggs and food. Other green turtle parts are used for leather and small turtles are sometimes stuffed for curios. Incidental catch in commercial shrimp trawling is an increasing source of mortality.

Volunteer Journal

2007-07-15T15:30:00.000-05:00

It's really hard to wake up every day and know that all the work that you do is useless if you don't change the way you act. Turtling is a job that has to be taken seriously like a responsibility with the sea turtle and the planet and all their inhabitants. Being able to spend two months here has been very revealing because you not only learn about ecology, you learn about loving, respecting each other, being a great team mate with all your team and try not to be selfish. This is something that we tend to forget sometimes.

The night where I thought we did a great team work was when we had to find a certain turtle we were looking for weeks ago. We had to change a tag on the turtle. When we finally found it we realized that it was 'the turtle' and the situation felt tense. The turtle was escaping. Some volunteers tried to hold the turtle while I ran to the nearest hotel to look for some pliers to remove the original tag. Not more than 5 minutes had passed but the adrenaline affected my nervous system. After running like crazy and articulating to the concierge the few words that I was able to pronounce, I got the pliers.

When I went back to the beach, I noticed that the turtle was about to leave. One of my team mates had his face all covered in sand and was battling to hold it. We had to act immediately.
Armando, took the pliers, the gag and prepared himself to put the new and definite tag. When it was done, we released the turtle. Exhausted, we headed to the bathroom and cleaned everything that the turtle threw at us. It was painful for all of us but the satisfaction of doing a great team work left a smile on my face.

-Art Stranksy
July, 2007

Volunteer Journal

2007-07-15T15:12:00.000-05:00

One night we were walking down the beach and spotted some Loggerhead tracks. I followed them and found an unmarked nest. I had to be sure the eggs were there to mark it. Armando told us to lay down in the sand and showed us where to dig and how to do it. Everyone started digging carefully and suddenly I felt something soft. My heart began to race. I found the eggs! It was the first time I did something like that. Later on, I became quite the expert in finding nests, and I'm very proud of that.

-Alex Reiss
June, 2007

Akumal's Sea Turtles

2007-07-15T14:48:00.000-05:00

The Loggerhead Turtle

The Loggerhead turtle, who's scientific name is Caretta Caretta, is named for its exceptionally large head. It also has very strong jaws. Carapace is bony without ridges and has large, non-overlapping, rough scutes (scales) present with 5 lateral scutes. The carapace is heart shaped. Front flippers are short and thick with 2 claws, while the rear flippers can have 2 or 3 claws. Carapace is a reddish-brown with a yellowish-brown plastron. Hatchlings have a dark-brown carapace with flippers pale brown on margins.

Size: Typically 2.5 to 3.5 feet in carapace length (73-107 cm).

Weight: Adult weigh up to 350 pounds (159 kg).

Diet: Primarily carnivorous and feed mostly on shellfish that live on the bottom of the ocean. They eat horseshoe crabs, clams, mussels, and other invertebrates. Their powerful jaw muscles help them to easily crush the shellfish.

Habitat: Prefer to feed in coastal bays and estuaries, as well as in the shallow water along the continental shelves of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Nesting: Nest at intervals of 2, 3, or more years. They lay 4 to 7 nests per season, approximately 12 to 14 days apart. Lays average of between 100 to 126 eggs in each nest. Eggs incubate for about 45 to 60 days.

Range: Found in all temperate and tropical waters throughout the world.

Status: U.S. - Listed as Threatened (likely to become endangered, in danger of extinction, within the foreseeable future) under the U.S. Federal Endangered Species Act. International - Listed as Endangered (facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Threats to Survival: The greatest threat is loss of nesting habitat due to coastal development, predation of nests, and human disturbances (such as coastal lighting and housing developments) that cause disorientations during the emergence of hatchlings. Other major threats include incidental capture in longline fishing, shrimp trawling and pollution. Incidental capture in fisheries is thought to have played a significant role in the recent population declines observed for the loggerhead.

Akumal's Sea Turtles

2007-07-15T14:22:00.001-05:00

The Hawksbill Turtle

The Hawksbill Turtle, who's scientific name is Eretmochelys imbricata, is named for its narrow head and hawk-like beak. It is one of the smaller sea turtles. Its head is narrow and has 2 pairs of prefrontal scales (scales in front of its eyes). Jaw is not serrated. Carapace is bony without ridges and has large, over-lapping scutes (scales) present and has 4 lateral scutes. Carapace is eliptical in shape. Flippers have 2 claws. The carapace is orange, brown or yellow and hatchlings are mostly brown with pale blotches on scutes.

Size: Adults are 2.5 to 3 feet in carapace length (76-91 cm).

Weight: Adults can weigh between 100 to 150 pounds (40-60 kg).

Diet: The hawksbill's narrow head and jaws shaped like a beak allow it to get food from crevices in coral reefs. They eat sponges, anemones, squid and shrimp.

Habitat: Typically found around coastal reefs, rocky areas, estuaries and lagoons.

Nesting: Nest at intervals of 2, 3, or more years. Nests between 2 to 4 times per season. Lays an average 160 eggs in each nest. Eggs incubate for about 60 days.

Range: Most tropical of all sea turtles. Tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Status: U.S. - Listed as Endangered (in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future) under the U.S. Federal Endangered Species Act. International - Listed as Critically Endangered (facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Threats to Survival: The greatest threat to hawksbill sea turtle is the harvesting for their prized shell, often referred to as "tortoise shell." In some countries the shell is still used to make hair ornaments, jewelry, and other decorative items.

Turtle News!

2007-07-14T11:00:00.000-05:00

Aristoteles and Art Stransky left the Turtle Program today! They both did a great job and helped us a great deal. Stransky's video will be posted on this blog soon and you can enjoy Aristoteles pictures now (they are all over the blog).

We will miss them deeply.

Good luck guys!
Hope you come back soon!

Turtle Camp

2007-07-13T19:41:00.000-05:00

Things You Can do for Sea Turtle Protection!

While snorkeling or diving:

Please observe but don't touch the Turtles! It is illegal to touch them in Akumal. So please respect the turtles eating in the bay.

Try not to disturb their feeding behavior.

Be careful not to damage the delicate corals. They are alive and are the basic life source of the ecosystem in Akumal. If you stand up on them or touch them they die and it takes them forever to regenerate.

What should you do if you see a turtle nesting on the beach?

Move slowly and do not approach it.

If you must use a flashlight when walking on the beach, try not to leave it on very long and use a red or amber filter.

Turn off any lights that may disorient turtles.

No flash photography. The bright light scares them away.

No beach fires.

Report you observations to CEA.

Mark the nest and inform CEA.

Do not move or tamper with nests. It's illegal.

What should you do if you see hatchlings emerging from a nest?

Turn off any lights that FACE the beach. They're guided by the reflexion of light on the water, or the contrast in the horizon so if you have lights heading towards a hotel or villa, they will end up in the pool and die.

Make sure the hatchling reach the sea.

Do not capture them, nor release them directly into the sea. Help them find their own way to the water (by lighting the water with a red filter flashlight).

Remember you can make a difference.
Join us in protecting them!

Your cooperation is very important to prevent extinction.

Turtle Watch!

2007-07-13T17:52:00.000-05:00

Information gathered till July 17:

Loggerhead nests: 70

Green Turtle nests: 33

Loggerhead Hatchlings that got safely to the ocean: 1093

Turtle Camp

2007-07-13T16:22:00.000-05:00

Turtle Camp Activities!

Throughout the year we do certain activities to help preserve the turtles and specially the one's that come to Akumal every year.

Monitoring the Juvenile Green Turtles

When: It began on 2004 and it's for 3 or 4 days every two or three months.

What do we do: Measure the juvenile green turtles of Akumal Bay (shell lenght and width), check if they're tagged (if not, we tag them), and take a small blood sample from each turtle.

This information is later analized and gives us the health state of the turtles and the quality of the water in Akumal Bay.

Nesting Season Turtle Walks

When: It starts the last days of April and ends the last days of November. The Turtle walks during the night start on May 1 and end the last days of September.

What we do: Monitor the turtle nests and hatchlings. Patrol the 4 beaches of Akumal checking for turtle nests and marking them with a sign post so that the tourists and CEA staff know that there's a nest. We also measure the green and loggerhead turtles coming up to nest and check if they are tagged (if not we tag them). During hatchling season, we supervise that they get to the water safely.
Hatchling Season: Ends of June till November.

Upload previously gathered info

When: Every day

What we do: All of the above helps us create a data base with information of every turtle coming to nest in Akumal. This way we know which turtle is which and monitor their nests (we know exactly when they're going to hatch) and their health. Every day we upload the information we gather during the turtle walk to a data base in a computer.

Yearly Report to SEMARNAT

With all the information gathered, we make a report of our findings and work to SEMARNAT so that they renew our permit as a Turtle Camp.

Workshops and Meetings

As turtle volunteers and coordinators, we have a responsibility with ourselves to be educated and trained so we usually attend turtle workshops and meetings.

Every month we have a special meeting at the Comite Estatal de Proteccion Conservacion e Investigacion y Manejo de Tortugas Marinas en Quintana Roo where we analyzed what has been done in the past month and attend important issues.

Educational Programs & Beach Clean-Ups

We give turtle talks to the tourists and kids of the local community. We believe that through education we can help maintain our environment healthy so we create awareness in them and make them understand that with their help we can protect the environement and the turtles coming to Akumal. We do puppet shows for the kids, beach clean-ups (pick the trash from the beach and later recycle it), tourist talks.

Turtle Camp

2007-07-13T16:00:00.000-05:00

CEA's Turtle Camp

Centro Ecologico Akumal, also known as CEA was founded in 1993. It has five different programs and one of them is the Sea Turtle Protection, Conservation and Research Program. CEA started this program in 1994, and 7 years later it finally obtained a permit from SEMARNAT to be a Turtle Camp. Since then, CEA has an up to date data base with all the information about the turtles coming to Akumal each year.

The camp's main goal is to monitor the green and loggerhead turtles that come to Akumal each year during the nesting season, and the juvenile green turtles that live in the bay area. These two species are endangered and throughout a lot of activities, CEA's Turtle Camp helps preserve these specie.

Patrols: Nightly on nesting beaches to protect and monitor nesting females, nests and hatchlings.

Research: Nesting frequency, egg survival and behavior of turtles feeding in Akumal Bay.

Education: Raising awareness among tourists and residents on sea turtle biology and conservation issues.

The Turtle Camp receives volunteers every month or so from all around the world. Without them, the camp would not function correctly. Their efforts and help are hugely appreciated.

Armando Lorences Camargo, also known as Tortuman (turtleman), is the coordinator of the Turtle Program and Turtle Camp. He started doing volunteer turtle work 20 years ago, so he is quite the expert. He says it all started as a hobby and now it’s his work, so he loves doing what he does. He is the volunteers leader and they follow him wherever he goes. He is a sort of ‘dad’ to them, or at least, that’s what they say. Armando has been working at CEA for one year.

Meet The Volunteers

2007-07-12T16:56:00.001-05:00

Meet Helene!

Helene Beteille
21 years old
France

Helene, a really shy but super nice girl, is currently majoring on aeronautics. She likes a lot of things. She knows how to speak a little spanish and english.

Reason for being here:

I wanted to volunteer in a latin american country and something linked to environment. I heard about CEA and I came. I wanted to discover new things and do something different than what I normally do.

Helene joined the Turtle Program on July 1 and is leaving August 26.

Meet The Volunteers

2007-07-12T16:53:00.000-05:00

Meet Diane!

Diane Stevens
49 years old
Higganum, Connecticut
U.S.A.

Diane is an eight grade science teacher. She has a 22 year old daughter and a wonderful and supportive husband who encourages her adventures. She likes to spend her summers learning about science and other cultures. She thinks the best way to do this is by volunteering because it makes her feel like she's spending her time doing something very important.

Reason for being here:

I'm very concerned about the future of the mesoamerican reef system and I am very enthusiastic about sea turtles. They invoke a special feeling for me, because they are so free and they are so graceful and living dinosaurs and a link to our past. I love working at night and with other volunteers that come from all over the world and are many different ages. It keeps me feeling young and vital and I will do it until I can't do it any more. Also, the first hand experience of working with the turtles is something that I can share with my science students at home. I can open their eyes to the concerns we have for the health of the planet and increase their awareness of volunteer opportunities.

Diane joined the Turtle Program on July 7 and she is leaving on August 8.

Meet The Volunteers

2007-07-12T16:43:00.000-05:00

Meet Alex!

Alex Reiss
21 years old
Minnesotta
U.S.A.

Alex Reiss is currently majoring on Zoology. He likes to joke around with the other volunteers and have a good time.

Reason for being here:

Being a zoology major, I am always looking for good opportunities to help further my education. So when I read an article about CEA in our local paper, I was very interested. Akumal has always been very familiar with my family, so working with CEA would be very good for me. Along with already knowing the area, this was also a good place to come cause it is no associated with my school (Iowa State University), which shows a lot of initiative as a student to come here.

Alex joined the Turtle Program on May and is leaving on August.

Turtle News!

2007-07-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

New volunteers arrive!

Susi Maquieira from Spain, Miguel from Mexico City, Tania from Guadalajara, and Raul from Tamaulipas joined the Turtle Program and are expected to arrive at CEA today. We will be waiting to meet them!

Your Own Experience

2007-07-10T18:12:00.000-05:00

My turtling experience has left a great impression in my life. I've understood the importance of helping preserve the sea turtles, and above all this, the impressive cooperation of all CEA staff.

It was fascinating to see with my own eyes how the turlte lays eggs on the beach and cries (although they explained to us that she is not really crying, it's just her way of staying hydrated). There was a bright moon that night that gave us the gift of observing the entire nesting process and the work the CEA volunteers do clearly. I was so excited and overwhelmed that I had to hold back the tears. To see all of the CEA volunteers united and doing their job with such a passion just made me want to repeat this experience in the near future.

-Emma R. Ochoa
June 10, 2007
July 4, 2007
Mexico City

Meet The Volunteers

2007-07-09T16:18:00.000-05:00

Meet Mariana!

Mariana Isunza
24 years old
Mexico City

Mariana was born in Mexico City and is currently majoring on Communications. She loves television, singing, dancing and laughing. Her dream is to never stop believing that one day her dreams and wishes will come true.

Reason for being here:

First off, I came here to fulfill my 480 hours of social service that my university requires, but the main reason is that ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be a marine biologist. I decided on communications cause I like it a lot too, but I knew someday I would do something about my marine biologist dream. When I heard that I could come to CEA and join the Turtle Program I immediately volunteered. Coming here has been a great learning experience for me. I've met wonderful people from all over the world and that has been exciting. Besides, the feeling you get when you know that all your efforts are really helping an endangered specie is indiscribable. I would definitely volunteer again.

She is helping CEA with the Turtle Talk every day, she is in charge of the tourists that visit the camp and does field work. She helps out at the Hekab Be library on her spare time and is also the creator of this blog.

Mariana arrived at CEA on May 21 and is leaving on July 24.

Meet The Volunteers

2007-07-09T16:12:00.000-05:00

Meet Aristoteles!

Aristoteles Molina
24 years old
Mexico City

Aristoteles, also known as Aristurtle, was born in Mexico City and is currently majoring on Communications. He loves video games, Anime and his camera. His dream is to become a succesful and famous photographer.

Reason for being here:

I'm here because of my social service. I heard about the possibility of coming here for two months to help out as a photographer. I loved the idea of spending my summer taking pictures and volunteering with the Turtle Program. I'm definitely learning a lot about caring for the environment and what it takes to help make others understand that what we do is very important.

He arrived on May 20 and is leaving on July 14.

Meet The Volunteers

2007-07-09T16:03:00.001-05:00

Meet Kyla!

Kyla Booher
19 years old
Troy, Ohio
U.S.A.

Kyla, a very nice girl with a big heart is a sophomore in college and is currently studying social work, international studies and fine arts. She plans on joining the peace corps after she graduates.

Reason for being here:

I've always been interested in sea turtles and marine biology, as well as the conservation of wildlife in general. I think we as human beings spend so much time on developing ourselves as a race that we lose focus on what was here before us, and forget that we share this space with other creatures, most of which who have no ability to defend themselves against our culture. I think it's our responsibility to take care of the world and at least be aware of its happenings, because really, it's all that we have. I heard of this program through Hekab Be public library (the library in Akumal) , where I also volunteer, teaching the local children summer school, playing games, and just having a great time. They are really great kids, and I am glad to be a part of their culture.

Kyla joined the Turtle Program on May 16 and is leaving on July 24. She works at night doing the Turtle Walk and also works in Hekab Be library.

Meet The Volunteers

2007-07-09T15:45:00.000-05:00

Meet Arturo!

Arturo Stransky
23 years old
Mexico City

Arturo was born in Mexico City and is currently majoring on Communications. He loves film and someday wants to be a succesful director.

Reason for being here:

I'm here because this is my social service. I chose this one because I really like everything that has to do with ecology. I like to think that I'm doing something to save nature because it's less vile than the human being. I think that the work that organizations like CEA does is definitely helping improve the world as we know it, and that's why I chose to come here for my social service and not some place else. It doesn't matter how insignificant helping a turtle lay her eggs, or marking a nest, or taking care of the coral reef might seem, if we all start by doing little things, in the end everything adds up and maybe we manage to change our situation.

Arturo is making a video of the Turtle Camp for tourists and new volunteers. He arrived at CEA on May 20th and is leaving on July 14.

Akumal's Sea Turtles

2007-07-09T15:33:00.001-05:00

The Hatchlings

The incubation of the eggs takes about 60 days, but since the temperature of the sand governs the speed at which the embryos develop, the hatching period can cover a broad range. Essentially, the hotter the sand surrounding the nest, the faster the embryos will develop. Cooler sand has a tendency to produce more males, with warmer sand producing a higher ratio of females.

Sea turtle hatchlings must come out of the nest all by themselves. To break open their shells, hatchlings use a temporary, sharp egg-tooth, called a "caruncle." The caruncle is an extension of the upper jaw that falls off soon after birth. Digging out of the nest is a group effort that can take several days. Hatchlings usually emerge from their nest at night or during a rainstorm when temperatures are cooler. Once they decide to burst out, they erupt from the nest cavity as a group.

The little turtles orient themselves to the brightest horizon, and then dash toward the sea. If they don't make it to the ocean quickly, many hatchlings will die of dehydration in the sun or be caught by predators like birds and crabs. Once in the water, they typically swim several miles off shore, where they are caught in currents and seaweed that may carry them for years before returning to nearshore waters.

There are many obstacles for hatchlings in the open ocean. Sharks, big fish and circling birds all eat baby turtles, and they die after accidentally eating tar balls and plastic garbage. The obstacles are so numerous for baby turtles that only about one in 1,000 survives to adulthood.

Your Own Experience

2007-07-05T18:49:00.000-05:00

My experience at CEA was unique. Before going to the turtle walk, two of the volunteers gave us an informative talk where I learned a lot about turtles. They explained to us which turtles live in Akumal, how to take care of them, their reproductive cycle, etc. After that, I felt totally prepared to go to the beach and see them in person. So, we took off and started walking. I was very fortunate that night because I got to see a Loggerhead turtle, a Green Turtle, and 5 newborn turles which we got to say goodbye as they headed to the sea. Also, all the staff at CEA was very nice and attentive.

As a conclusion I can say that CEA is doing a wonderful and important job in Akumal. They put their hearts in what they do and most important, they make an effort to teach the turists how to protect the turtles and their environment.

-Mayra Jimenez
July 5, 2007
Mexico City

Turtle Quote Of The Day

2007-07-04T18:58:00.000-05:00

Try to be like the turtle... at ease in your own shell

Turtle News!

2007-07-04T18:51:00.000-05:00

Highly Collectible Vintage Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Posters Offered to Promote Sea Turtle Conservation

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have returned to the big screen to fight evil doers on land and sea, and you can help them fight sea turtle extinction by adopting an endangered turtle through the Caribbean Conservation Corp. (CCC). For a limited time only, when you adopt a sea turtle you will receive a highly collectible vintage Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle poster depicting the shelled crime-fighters in action protecting sea turtles.

Go to Article

Volunteer Journal

2007-07-04T18:49:00.003-05:00

Turtling one night, on the night of the 5th of July, one huge Green turtle came up to nest and Armando, the coordinator of the turlte program asked me to tag her. It was my first experience at tagging a turtle (which is a bit like doing a piercing). But everything went well. We then sat beside her and I started thinking about my younger son since he was born on the 5th, and thought that this would be a great birthday present: an adoption certificate of this specific turtle under his name. Et voila!! It turned out to be a night filled with emotion and good feelings. This whole experience of turtling has brought me to consider my real values in life: My family, my friends, mother earth, and everything we can possibly do to save her and our children.

-France Laplante
July 5th, 2007

Meet The Volunteers

2007-07-04T18:45:00.002-05:00

Meet France!

France Laplante
52 years old
Quebec, Canada

France is a proud mom of 2 handsome young men of 23 and 25 years old: Sean and Myles, and a teacher of English as a second language in the primary school in Quebec. She says this fall she will start teaching them a little bit of Spanish.

Reason for being here:

I showed my kids at school a video about turtles on PBS (that I had previously taped) and it talked about the turtle being endangered. Then, at the same time, I was looking for a volunteer job for the summer in a place where I could practice my spanish and I found out about CEA and their Turtle Program so I added all up and here I am.

She joined the Turtle Program on June 18 and will be a volunteer for 6 weeks.