Puerto Vallarta is a great example of this, since its program, created in 1993, links successfully the tourist companies and the all-levels authorities of into the protection activities and conservation of the marine turtles. Every year, the visitors have had the opportunity to see these animals nesting along the beach, under the protective watch of the police.

The Objectives

The main objective of this program, is to protect the eggs from the looting and natural predators in order to obtain a bigger quantity of baby turtles. The eggs are obtained from the nests that the turtles make naturally in any beach, They are then planted in protected corrals (hatcheries), located in the beach of the most important hotels, where they are incubated naturally.

Also, there are organized public liberations of baby turtles to the sea with the participation of tourists and local people, as part of the activities of environmental education. The purpose is to create a culture of conservation of the natural resources and to give knowledge of the importance of the program of protecting marine turtles.

The Protected Species

The importance of the program of protection of marine turtles in Mexico resides in that in the Mexican coasts 6 of the 7 species nest from all over the world. The most common species in Bahia de Banderas and Puerto Vallarta, is the Olive Ridley turtle or "Golfina" (Lepidochelys olivacea), but on occasions the enormous Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), the Green turtle (Chelonia agassizii) and the Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) visit us.

Olive Ridley (Lepidchelys olivacea) and Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea)

Tortugas Prieta (Chelonia agassizii) and Carey (Eretmochelys imbricata)

The Olive Ridley nests mainly between June and December, and in each season they can return up to 3 times, depositing in each occasion between 80 and 120 eggs. Sometimes they lay up 160 eggs.

The exact number of survival is unknown, but is estimated that in the natural environment, of each 1,000 turtles that are born, between one and five will survive until adulthood, and these will take between 8 and 12 years to mature enough to be able to spawn on the same beach where they were born. With programs like this, protecting the eggs from their predators, it is estimated that 3 to 5% will survive. Here is where the success of the program resides, The protection of these organisms during the first and more vulnerable stage of its growth: the incubation of the egg. 

The Operation of the Program

The civil organizations take charge of the gathering, transport and delivery of the nests during the nights. They assist the reports of the civil society, and the federal and municipal authorities, as the Naval Sector, Civil Protection and Municipal Police participate actively.

Later on, the recovered eggs are buried in hatcheries or "corrals" of incubation, where they are protected and are free of danger during 45 days. Most of these nurseries are located in some of the hotels and more important condominiums who participate actively in this program.

After the baby turtles hatch, between July and December, they are carried out in public liberations to the sea of breedings daily with the participation of visitors from everywhere.

Each participant has the opportunity to release a baby turtle, after having listening to an informative speech, and always following the directions given by the biologist.

Authorized Sea Turtle's Hatcheries

Nowadays, the hotels and condominiums that participate actively in the protection of the marine turtles through a nursery (or hatchery) of incubation of eggs are (see the map of Puerto Vallarta): CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort, The Westin Resort & Spa, Vacation Internationale Hotel , Playas Gemelas Condominiums and the Presidente InterContinental Hotel  (all operated by the Western Ecological Society).

Besides these works, the cure and rehabilitation of wounded turtles is carried out by a specialized group of veterinarians who carries out the necessary surgeries. So far, they have been carried out two operations (amputations) of fins caught in fishing nets have been successful for two turtles.

Would you like to join us for a night of real beach patrolling & eggs rescue?

Would you like to be a VOLUNTEER?

Would you like to be part of a baby turtles release?

Contact us to find out how to participate in this amazing experience!

For more information you can visit the web site of the Program of Protection and Conservation of Marine Turtles in Puerto Vallarta by clicking here or sending an e-mail.

Turtle experience activities are only available between July to October.
Baby sea turtles releases are only available between august to November.  

Biologist Oscar Aranda: seaturtlesvta@aim.com