Sea Tortoise Nurseries Yield Positive Results

(Acapulco, AN October 25) In spite of a lack of support from public moneys for the various sea tortoise nurseries along the Costa Chica, one of them, called “Bettina,” has been recognized by the experts as very successful in its mission of nurturing tortoise hatchlings until they are old enough to fend for themselves in the open sea. The releases are made on the beaches of Marquelia on the coast south of Acapulco. Hermes Nolasco, an ecologist and the owner of the “Katary” tourist area, said that even though some of the hatcheries are more oriented to tourists than to ecological matters, the work of Roberto López Clemente in the “Bettina” hatchery is very well-suited for the preservation of the species. He added that the official statistics (compiled by the federal Secretary of Public Safety and Civil Protection via the Federal Ecological Police) do not reflect the activities of “Bettinga” and other non-governmental hatcheries. He said it would be helpful if the official reports mentioned the efforts being made along the shore of the Costa Chica, where “true ecologist groups” are checking the beaches every night. The Playa Ventura (in Copala) and in Tierra Colorada (in Cuajinicuilapa) they are especially focusing on the Laud Tortoise, one of the most endangered species. The same efforts are going on along eight kilometers of beach in Marquelia. Nolasco said that the work is risky, as the poachers are omnipresent and numerous, and many are armed and dangerous. The sea tortoise population is being threatened with extinction because human predators value sea tortoise eggs and oil in the mistaken belief that they have special powers to enhance sexual prowess and cure numerous common ailments.