World Sea Turtle Day

On June 16, World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated, one of the most endangered animals on the planet and in turn one of the longest.

The celebration of this day coincides with the birth in 1909 of sea turtle conservationist Archie Carr, whose hard work contributed to the protection of this species.

He was a conservationist from Alabama who fought throughout his life for the maintenance of turtle populations, mainly in Costa Rica.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature includes 7 species of threatened turtles on its red list. Ocean litter, plastics, fishing with nets where they are trapped, the change in ocean temperature and the increase in tourism on the beaches where they spawn, mean that sea turtles are seriously threatened and are disappearing.

Turtles in Puerto Vallarta

The main species of sea turtles that return each year to the coast of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, is the olive or olive ridley. Named for its dark green color, it is the smallest type of sea turtle, and its shell only grows up to a meter in length.

The average olive ridley sea turtle lives about 50 years, feeding on jellyfish, shrimp, sea urchins and other small marine life. Although it is currently the most abundant species of sea turtle, its population is declining. However, their unique nesting behavior makes them stand out.

From June to December of each year, olive ridley sea turtles sail in the open sea to return to the same coasts where they were born, to nest. After 45 days of incubation, the sea turtle hatching season begins in July. One of the main places to see sea turtles in Puerto Vallarta is the Boca de Tomates Tortuguero Camp, north of the marina, next to the airport.

What actions can you take to save sea turtles?

• Reduce. Every piece of plastic you don't buy is one piece less in the ocean. If you stop buying plastics, you will send a signal to companies around the world to reduce their plastic packaging.
  
• Avoid single-use plastics. Use a cloth bag for your purchases and opt for reusable paper or steel straws. Watch out for hidden plastics like tea bags, gum, baby wipes, and “paper” coffee takeaway cups. The latter are usually lined with plastic.
  
• Avoid microplastics. Plastic pieces less than 5 mm in length are called microplastics. They have found them everywhere: from the deepest part of the Mariana Trench to inside animals and humans.
  
• Recycle. Although plastic can cause harm, it is still a valuable resource. Since it's not biodegradable, sort your garbage and send your recyclable plastics to give them a new life. In this way it will be reused and its production will be further discouraged.

Let's join forces and ensure that sea turtles continue to swim in our oceans!