ASUPMATOMA Sea Turtle Nursery - Baja, Mexico
About The Turtles

SPECIES OF TURTLES FOUND NESTING IN LOS CABOS AREA
At the present time, there are eight different species of sea turtles, of which seven visit Mexican beaches and five are known to inhabit the seashores of the peninsula of Baja California. The five turtles are identified with the following common names and scientific (in italic) names: Leatherback, Dermochelys coriacea; Black Turtle, Chelonia agassizi; Olive Ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea; Hawksbill, Etremochelys imbricata; and Loggerhead, Caretta caretta. however, only two of these species come to nest on our beaches; Olive Ridley and Leatherback.

The two sea turtles - Leatherback & Olive Ridley - which ASUPMATOMA protects

LEATHERBACK AND OLIVE RIDLEY SEA TURTLES
Olive Ridley turtles, locally known as Golfinas, begin nesting on our beaches in June. The Golfina, which feeds mostly on shrimp, jellyfish, snails and algae, can grow to be 26 inches long and weigh up to 90 lbs. It's primary nesting season is from June to December.

The Leatherback or Laud turtle begins its' nesting season in Nov.-Feb. It is the largest of all marine turtles, growing up to 70 inches in length, and weighing up to 1,300 lbs. Its' favorite food is jellyfish, and the Leatherback has been known to dive up to 1 kilometer in depth in search of food.

UNCERTAINTIES IN SEA TURTLE POPULATIONS
The difficulty in assessing them is due in part to the fact that there is only partial information regarding their biological cycle, such as age, time of sexual maturity and the migratory routes of newborns, youths and adults, among others. In addition to this, the excessive and reckless commercial exploitation have caused alarming consequences and reduction in their survival rate. Proof of this exploitation in the area can be found in the abandoned facilities of what once was a turtle industry. These facilities are located in the community of Punta Lobos, between the towns of Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos, where a huge amount of carapaces of the species known as Olive Ridley have been found.

A Leatherback nesting on the beaches of southern Baja.

The establishment of turtle camps in nesting areas have become a relevant alternative in the conservation and protection of sea turtles. Camps were established in Mexico since the year of 1992 as an approach for the recovery of sea turtle populations. Such actions were reinforced when by Presidential Degree. The permanent Veda of all species and subspecies of sea turtles was instituted in the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, including the Gulf of California.

DANGERS ENCOUNTERED BY MARINE TURTLES
Although the Ley de Veda Permanente, passed in Mexico in 1991 declares it a crime to kill turtles or disturb their nests, the demise of turtle populations continues. There are many factors contributing to the decline in sea turtle populations: pollution, hunting, accidental capture in fishing nets, collection of eggs for sale by local residents, motorized vehicle use on nesting site beaches, development, boat traffic, natural predation and trade in turtle products.

Homepage Current Activities Funding and Donations Our Sponsors