Marine turtle workshop and start of the season 2009

This 29th and 30th of April a couple of staff members from Regional office, Pez Maya and Punta Gruesa attended a Marine turtle training workshop given by Flora Fauna y Cultura de Mexico (FFCM) in Xcaret. This course is given every year to the volunteers that will be working in the different turtle camps during the Turtle Season, which runs from May to October in the state of Quintana Roo.

The workshop was very interesting as we learnt about the turtle physiology and anatomy, migratory patterns, species and locations, measuring techniques and nesting management. We also learnt that there are only 7 Sea turtle species in the world and not 8 as it was believed before. This is because DNA evidence indicated that the black turtle (from the East Pacific) classified before as another species is in reality a subspecies of the Green turtle. Also, we were taught that 6 of the 7 species of Marine turtles nest in Mexico and 4 of them nest in Quintana Roo (loggerhead, hawksbill, green turtle and leatherback).

All this information will be conveyed to GVI volunteers in the Marine expeditions as from late May the volunteers from Pez Maya and Punta Gruesa will be taking part in the Turtle camps in Xcacel. During these camps GVI volunteers will accompany the mexican volunteers from FFCM in the night patrols and learn to identify and measure green and hawksbill turtles, track trails, move nests and release baby sea turtles!! Definitely a great experience!

Also, in Pez Maya base there is an ongoing turtle program as some turtles like to nest in this beach; hence we keep a record of turtles and nests, and do the proper management that we learnt!

Marine turtle workshop and start of the season 2009