Lights Out for Sea Turtles
Tara A. Spears
World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated annually on June 16 to raise awareness about the plight of sea turtles. It is celebrated every year to raise awareness in an effort to save sea turtles from extinction. The coast of Riviera Nayarit provides a magnificent setting to witness one of nature’s most moving spectacles: sea turtle nesting and the release of sea turtle hatchlings. One doesn’t need to live near the beach to care about the life cycle of the sea turtle because celebrating the survival of this species, in addition to being a deeply emotional experience, represents an act of environmental consciousness and a commitment to respect all life on this planet.
The coastal area of Mexico’s Pacific Ocean, which includes Jaltemba Bay community, combines beautiful beaches, charming towns, and breathtaking landscapes. More than the aesthetics of the coast is its importance to thousands of newly hatched turtles as they begin their first journey to the ocean. According to information from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the Nayarit sea turtle nesting season occurs between June and November, with a few late nests in December. It is important to note that the hatchlings that survive and reach adulthood will return to the same beach where they were born to nest and lay their own eggs. Of the seven species of sea turtles in the world, four find refuge on Nayarit’s beaches: the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), the Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), the Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and the Green (Chelonia mydas).
During summers, turtles follow an ancient reproductive ritual, in which the female leaves the sea and crawls to shore to dig a nest in the sand. The female turtle uses her rear flippers to dig the nest hole and then lays about 100 eggs. After laying the eggs, the turtle covers them and camouflages the nest site before returning to the ocean. Nesting turtles may return to the nesting site for laying eggs several times and usually nest every two to three years.
The reason for beachfront lights out during sea turtle nesting season is to not interfere with the nesting female turtles or hatchlings. Eggs hatch after an incubation of two months. The hatching moves towards the sea in the night by using the bright view of the night sky. Artificial lights can distract the hatchlings from finding their way to the ocean which can lead to its death.
Sadly, six out of seven marine turtle species are on the verge of extinction. In addition to the disastrous effect of plastic pollution in the ocean, there are many other threats to sea turtles. Threats to sea turtles include encroachment of coastal development on nesting beaches, marine pollutants, accidental drowning on fishing gear, and the international turtle meat trade.
Join those that love the sea turtles to raise awareness about this important issue and help save sea turtle lives. If you are lucky enough to time your vacation with a turtle release, you will never forget the experience. Witnessing a hatchling struggle to reach the safety of the sea is more than a tourist amusement, participating in a turtle release is a moment of deep connection with life and nature.
