In the run-up to the 2024 nesting season, local conservationists in Tulum are ramping up efforts to protect sea turtle nesting along more than 20 kilometers of coastline. According to the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas, last year’s surveys recorded over 40,000 turtle nests on Quintana Roo’s shores, underscoring both the importance and scale of this annual natural spectacle. This spring, community members, experts and volunteers are coming together under a renewed initiative to ensure that hatchlings have a fighting chance from the moment they emerge.
Coordinated Action from Day One
It all began with a multi-agency meeting at the municipal sports center, where representatives from the Ministry of Environment, municipal authorities and local NGOs reviewed a detailed work plan. By May, a team of twelve field technicians and some seventy trained volunteers will be conducting nightly patrols from Playa Pescadores up to the remote sands near Punta Piedra. The program includes beach cleanups, nest mapping and, for the first time, deployment of drone surveys to identify high-risk nesting sites before sunrise.
Training and Community Engagement
Last month, the town’s Civic Auditorium hosted a series of workshops aimed at standardizing nest protection protocols. Attendees learned how to distinguish between Caretta caretta (loggerhead), Chelonia mydas (green turtle) and Eretmochelys imbricata (hawksbill) tracks, as well as best practices for relocating nests at risk from tide surges. A volunteer named Clara González shared her reflection: “I’ve grown up here, but until now I didn’t realize how much goes into every hatchling’s escape to the sea.”
Balancing Tourism and Conservation
With Tulum’s tourist numbers rebounding toward pre-pandemic highs, artificial lighting remains one of the biggest threats to sea turtle nesting success. Speaking with operators from beachfront hotels, the environmental committee introduced guidelines for ‘turtle-friendly lighting,’ suggesting warm-spectrum LEDs and shielded fixtures that minimize disorientation. A handful of resorts have already pledged to retrofit their paths and verandas this season, a move celebrated by conservationists as a tangible win.
Nest Monitoring and Data Collection
Each morning at first light, volunteers fan out to check that no hatchlings are trapped by debris or misdirected by lingering beach furniture. Every nest is geotagged, photographed and monitored until hatching—typically 45 to 60 days after egg laying. Historical data shows that protected nests boast a survival rate of over 80%, compared to under 50% for unguarded sites. These figures will inform adjustments to patrol routes and the allocation of human resources as the season advances.
Collaborations with Local Fisheries
Another innovative strand of the project involves outreach to small-scale fishermen, many of whom patrol the zone’s offshore reefs. With their intimate knowledge of currents and coastal topography, fishers are being invited to report sightings of adult turtles and potential nesting gatherings via a dedicated WhatsApp group. In return, they receive training in turtle-friendly fishing gear and a small stipend for every useful report that leads to conservation action.
Looking Beyond the Nesting Season
While the current focus is squarely on nesting and hatchling emergence, organizers emphasize that sea turtle protection is a year-round commitment. Plans are already underway for underwater surveys to assess foraging grounds, and a legislative proposal to regulate beachfront development is in the drafting stages. By broadening the scope of protection, advocates hope to address threats spanning from pollution and coastal erosion to climate-driven shifts in sand temperature.
As someone who has walked these sands at dawn, I’ve witnessed the exhilaration of hatchlings making their first dash to the sea—and the relief when they slip below the waves. This season’s efforts represent more than beach patrols; they are a testament to what a united community can accomplish. Sea turtle nesting is not simply an annual event but a powerful catalyst for environmental stewardship.
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