Sea Turtles of Puerto Vallarta

The bay in which Puerto Vallarta is located, Bahia de Banderas, is one of many locations along the Pacific coast of Mexico in which sea turtles come to nest. In fact, 7 out of 8 species of marine turtles from around the world lay their eggs along the western coasts of Mexico. The most common species found in Bahia de Banderas in the Olive Ridley, or "Golfina" (Lepidochelys olivacea). However, on occasion we are privileged enough to glimpse the enormous Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), the Black turtle (Chelonia agassizii) and/or the Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata).

The Olive Ridleys are one of the smallest species of sea turtle, usually less than 100 pounds. They are named for the olive color of their heart-shaped shells. Being omnivorous, the Olive Ridleys feed on sea grasses, algae, snails, fish and small invertebrates. They can occasionally be seen feeding on jellyfish in shallow waters. These turtles also forage offshore in surface waters or dive to depths of at least 150 meters (500 feet) to feed on bottom dwelling shrimp, crab, rock lobsters, and pelagic tunicates.

These particular reptiles generally nest between the months of June and December and may return up to three times during the season. On each visit the turtles deposit between 80 and 120 eggs, however, they can lay up to 160. The exact number of turtles that survive each year is unknown, but it is estimated that out of 1,000 born in the wild only 1 to 5 will make it until adulthood. To reach maturity, the Ridleys take somewhere between 8 and 12 years, after which they are able to reproduce for the first time. Upon maturity, it is believed that Olive Ridley turtles return to nest on the exact same beach upon which they were hatched. If this is the case and efforts are made to protect the eggs and hatchlings on these beaches then there should be rises in the numbers returning to nest in the future.

With programs like the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles, based out of Puerto Vallarta, volunteers take time every year to protect the laid eggs from predators in hopes that their aid will increase the chances that more Olive Ridleys will survive. Through this work it is estimated that 3 to 5% of turtles reach maturity. The main objective of this program is to protect the eggs from those who would loot the nests as well as from the natural predators to obtain a higher survival rate of baby turtles. Nesting turtles that are found are protected from the dogs, and to conserve the eggs through the period of incubation, they are taken from the natural nests on the beach and relocated to protected corrals or hatcheries. Hatcheries may be found on beaches by many of the hotels in Puerto Vallarta and there the eggs are incubated naturally. This saves the eggs from predation from dogs, crabs, seagulls, and any others who might think turtle eggs are worth pillaging. Once the hatchlings emerge, generally between July and December, volunteers again help steer the little ones toward the beckoning waves of the Bay of Banderas. There are also opportunities for visitors to join a public liberation of the newborns and aid them on their first trek out to sea.

For many years, Mexico has had one of the most advanced programs of protection of marine turtles in the world. In this country all the states along the coasts have programs implemented for the protection of this remarkable species, some operated by the authorities and many more by non-profit organizations.

Puerto Vallarta is a great example of a port city doing its utmost for the protection of marine wildlife. The Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles was created in 1993, and it has successfully linked the tourist industry and the various levels of authority in an effort to conserve the marine turtles. If visiting at the right time of the year, tourists have the opportunity to view these creatures nesting along the beach.

For more information you can visit the web site of the Program of Protection and Conservation of Marine Turtles in Puerto Vallarta.