96 Percent of Eggs Will Hatch With Help of Region’s Release Program
PUERTO VALLARTA, JALISCO,– From May through September each year, thousands of sea turtles arrive on the beaches in Puerto Vallarta to lay their eggs, which would naturally incubate in the sand until hatching. The recreational activities that take place on a resort beach hardly make it a safe place for baby sea turtles. As part of Puerto Vallarta’s Sea Turtle Release Program, each night throughout the sea turtle season, resort staff members at properties located along the beach head down to the shore to gather sea turtle eggs. The eggs are then transported for incubation still in their nests, to best preserve natural conditions. During the incubation period, researchers gather and study data.
By early November (approximately 40-70 days later), the hatchlings emerge from their eggs and are ready to be released on the beach -- their nesting site -- with the aid of the resorts' recreational staff members and families staying at the hotels. Tradition holds that the children name their tiny sea turtle babies, wish them luck, then set them free onto the resorts' beaches to find their way into the water. Since young sea turtles face threats to their survival from land predators, the turtles are only released at night. Resort staff members educate participants on turtles and Mexico's environmental awareness initiatives to save the sea turtles.
"As a result of our Sea Turtle Release Program, 96 percent of these eggs will hatch. Prior to this program, only 40 percent of the eggs would hatch. So we're happy to be doing a real service to aid in the recovery of the sea turtle population on both Mexican coasts," states Dennis Whitelaw, General Manager of the Marriott CasaMagna Puerto Vallarta. Mr. Whitelaw recently received Marriott's "Echo" award for promoting good ecological and environmental efforts in Mexico. The Marriott CasaMagna Resort’s sea turtle programs are strictly carried out according to the procedures established by the National Institute of Fisheries and the Fishing & Marine Biology Station of the University of Guadalajara.
Leading Puerto Vallarta tour operator Open Air Expeditions is also involved in Puerto Vallarta’s Sea Turtle Preservation Project. Their protected nesting nursery doubles as a scientific research center that welcomes small, guided tours. Reserve with Open Air through openair@vivamexico.com or by calling or faxing 011-52-322-222-3310.
Four of Mexico's 17 beach reserves are located in the state of Jalisco and managed by the University of Guadalajara in conjunction with the government and private organizations. Since 1982, the university has been developing a program to conserve Jalisco's sea turtle population through protection, research and education. Beach reserves are protected from poachers to the extent that money will allow. Biologists and students live and work at camps on remote beaches trying to revive the sea turtle population. A research program was started in 1987 to study the life patterns of hatchlings in their first year. The government sea turtle station currently supports a small population of juvenile and adult turtles for research and education. Holding tanks have been built to hold three species of sea turtle: loggerhead (Caretta caretta), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata squamata), and pacific black (Chelo-nia mydas agassizii). The Puerto Vallarta Sea Turtle Protection Project is a joint effort of the Puerto Vallarta Hotel Association, city government and federal authorities.
Puerto Vallarta was selected by CONDE NAST TRAVELER readers as the eighth best destination in the world in their annual “Reader’s Choice Awards” in the November 2001 issue, as well as number one international destination because of the “remarkable amiability of the local folk.” Puerto Vallarta was the only destination in Mexico that made the list.
Located on the Western Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta’s charm remains largely undiscovered, along with its cobblestone streets, stunning beaches, plentiful marine life, lush Sierra Madre Mountains, exceptional restaurants, fine Gourmet Festival, championship golf courses and vibrant art culture. For more information about Puerto Vallarta, call your travel agent or toll-free at 888-384-6822, or direct at 011 (52) 322 224 1175; fax: 011 (52) 322 224 0915.
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