Playa del Carmen Faces Threat to Sea Turtles Due to Heavy Machinery – Environmental Concerns Raised

Environmental officials in Playa del Carmen have voiced concerns about the use of heavy machinery on the beaches, which could potentially disrupt the nesting of sea turtles.

With the sea turtle nesting season on the Playa del Carmen coast just around the corner, authorities are worried about the presence of heavy machinery in these areas. This situation poses a threat to the safe arrival of these endangered species.

Yamili Collí, the municipality's Deputy Director of Environmental Education and Dissemination, explained that these machines compact the sand, making it difficult for turtles to dig their nests. The nesting season, which lasts from May to October, strictly prohibits the use of heavy machinery on the beaches. However, these machines are still seen in some areas outside of this period, potentially affecting late nests or early nesting attempts, warned Collí.

The increase in sargassum in recent years has exacerbated this issue. Some service providers and hotel owners have chosen to use heavy machinery to remove this macroalgae during its mass arrival, leading to conflicts with environmental protection measures. Despite this, Collí assured that no serious incidents related to the use of these machines have been recorded in Playa del Carmen's Sea Turtle Protection Program.

To prevent this issue from reoccurring next season, the municipality has initiated a series of training programs for public servants, particularly Public Security staff, Civil Protection personnel, and workers who are in direct contact with the beaches. These training programs are crucial, as unauthorized handling of turtles is a federal crime that can lead to imprisonment, emphasized Collí.

On April 15, the Committee for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles will be established. This committee will work in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and the ZOFEMAT to ensure that environmental regulations are upheld. Playa del Carmen is gearing up for a high nesting season. Notifications will also be sent to hotel owners and beach concessionaires to implement preventive measures, such as relocating sunbeds, reducing noise at night, and correctly adjusting lights, as per NOM-162-SEMARNAT-2012.

Last season, two hotels violated these regulations, but they were able to correct their practices in time, commented Collí.

Last year, 988 nests were recorded on the municipality's beaches, a number considered low within the nesting cycle. This year, the number is expected to surpass a thousand nests, as it is predicted to be a high season. The white turtle is the most prevalent species in the region, while the leatherback turtle has not had any recent nesting records in Solidaridad. The hawksbill turtle, however, has shown a concerning decrease in its nests, prompting authorities to remain vigilant.

Our goal is to ensure all areas are prepared for a successful season of protecting our sea turtles, concluded Collí.