Turtle Camp

The Turtle program or Turtle Camp, as it is widely known, is the most emblematic program for CEA since it began in 1995. It represents an opportunity to work closely with the local community both from the tourist area and from Akumal town.

Goal

To protect, conserve and research Akumal’s nesting sea turtles as well as their nests and hatchlings through the work directly performed on the beach and outreach and education activities.

Number of nests at four beaches in Akumal (2020, 2021 & 2022 seasons)

Herein we present the total number of nests for the Loggerhead and Green turtles at four beaches in Akumal. The maps represent the nesting areas.

Based on or data collected for the last three previous seasons (2020-2022) for both species, the Loggerhead and Green turtles, the total number of nests recorded for the four beaches was of 1,311 nests for 2020, 729 nests for 2021 and for 2022 953 total nests.

The scientific knowledge on the turtle´s life cycle suggested an oscillation or alternate fluctuation of nests would take place for the historic trends and specially in the last previous years with an expected low season as it was witnessed and shared by other turtle camps as part of the State Sea Turtle Protection and Conservation Committee. The 2020 season was relatively high (historically second highest for Akumal records) then for 2021 it dropped to almost half of previous year and rose again in 2022. It is hard to predict how the 2023 turtle season would be but based on the aforementioned trends and the information we are currently collecting (not included in this analysis) data suggest, in general, a low season for 2023 may be expected.

Per beach surprisingly, Akumal Bay has recently been the busiest beach of all the Akumal turtle camp. This beach recorded a total of 1,126 nests of both species during the three years. The second highest number of nests was recorded at Playa Tortugas or Jade Bay with 1,017 nests. Loggerhead and Green turtles nested 467 times in Half Moon Bay, and lastly Akumal South recorded only a total of 384 nests.

Maps of Nestings per Zones and Species

The four beaches are subdiveded into transects with a separation of 100m between transects. From South to North the beaches are Akumal South (AS), Playa Tortugas or Jade Bay (PT), Akumal Bay (BA) and Half Moon Bay (BML).

For the both species the total number of nests for the 2020 season was 1,311 and for the 2021 season is 729.

Overall Akumal Bay recorded the highest number of nests with 513 in 2020 and 259 in 2021. Meanwhile the beach with fewest number of nests recorded for both years was Akumal South with 166 and 96 for 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Analysis per zone at Half Moon Bay (HMB)

We analized the information obtained per zone and site (name of the property, condo, hotel or beach front) recorded, with the aim of interpreting and downscaling the processes that may affect the nesting of turtles along the beach for HMB.

In the analysis it was included the name of the property, a very important aspect that may allow CEA support any decision taking for administrators-owners-associations regarding the fulfillment with the different norms and laws that protect the marine turtles. This also represents an opportunity for better coordination and collaboration with the administrators-owners and overall for better promotion, management and operation of our turtle program.

Due to the conformation of the reef of Akumal the four beaches were more susceptible to nesting by turtle females in the mid section of the beach. Loggerhead turtles prefer nesting closer to the water fringe whereas Green turtles lay their nests on any part of the beach, preferably on the upper part, closer to the dunes-buildings-shades.

Nests per zone at HMB for Loggerhead turtle

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Loggerhead and Green turtle during 2020-2022.

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Loggerhead and Green turtle during 2020-2022.

We summed up all the nests for both species for the period of 2020-2022 at Half Moon Bay. From this preliminary analysis it can be seen that zones 4-7 have been in the last three years the most important zones for nesting. This also shows that the ground at those locations are prepared by the turtles.

Loggerhead nesting: 2020 season

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Loggerhead turtle during 2020.

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Loggerhead turtle during 2020.

Loggerhead nesting: 2021 season

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Loggerhead turtle during 2021.

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Loggerhead turtle during 2021.

Loggerhead nesting: 2022 season

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Loggerhead turtle during 2022.

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Loggerhead turtle during 2022.

Green nesting: 2020 season

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Green turtle during 2020.

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Green turtle during 2020.

Green nesting: 2021 season

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Green turtle during 2021.

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Green turtle during 2021.

Green nesting: 2022 season

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Green turtle during 2022.

Total number of nests per zone at BML for Green turtle during 2022.