With a call to care for and preserve the sea turtle, the interim municipal president Jorge Antonio Quintero Alvarado symbolically planted a nest of this species in the incubation corral located on the beach of Holi, officially starting the 2021-2022 Season of this endangered species.
In the presence of councilors, municipal officials and federal authorities, associations and citizens in general, the mayor pointed out that this symbolic act seeks to be an awareness platform for the care not only of sea turtles, but all the flora and fauna of the region, since Puerto Vallarta has to be distinguished not only by the kindness of its people, but also by the importance of caring for our environment.
He stated that in a team with the University of Guadalajara and environmental groups, the beaches, flora and fauna have been cared for. An example of this is the Municipal Program for the Conservation and Protection of the Sea Turtle, which operates from Boca de Tomatlán to Boca de Tomates, where 12,700 nests have been collected and close to 1.1 million eggs have been protected, with 970,000 young having been released.
He pointed out that the objective is to seek to provoke a sense of appreciation of the sea turtle resource, which is recognized as an important element of identity and a tourist component of great potential for the second most important sun and beach destination in Mexico. In addition he promoted actions of protection, conservation, monitoring, and surveillance of this species, for which he thanked the work and effort made by associations and volunteers.
Helios Hernández Hurtado, Deputy Director of the Environment, mentioned that the sea turtle has become an icon for Puerto Vallarta, since in the last 8 years there has been a record of the birth of more than 1,600,000 turtles, as well as around 20,800 nests. In the last year 3,300 nests were registered, a work that has been carried out jointly by the municipal government, civil associations, and citizens.
He recognized the support they have not only from Civil Protection and Citizen Security, but also from around 30 volunteers who help in all the actions carried out in the field of the environment.
Rohini Suta Velazco, president of the Banderas Bay Conservation of Wonderful Species Association, indicated that they have worked for more than 30 years in these places, recognizing that it is a very complex 24-hour task, patrolling during the night and day, and with administration tasks.