Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco – The UdeG sea turtle conservation program turns 40 this season. The initiative began in 1985 and now anchors Jalisco’s turtle protection work from Cihuatlán to Cabo Corrientes. Nesting runs from August through January on this stretch of coast. The anniversary lands as field teams launch nightly patrols and hatchery work for the 2025–2026 season.
UdeG sea turtle conservation program
University crews and volunteers plan a major release this season. The target is 544,000 hatchlings from three species: olive ridley (golfina), black turtle (prieta), and leatherback (laúd). The effort is concentrated at four camps: La Gloria in Tomatlán, Barra de Navidad, Cuastecomates, and El Coco in Cihuatlán. Program director José Antonio Trejo Robles outlined the plan at the season kickoff.
These sites are run by the University of Guadalajara and its Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur (CUCSur). University leaders describe the program as a model that ties research, teaching, and community work to real conservation results. The university also confirmed the reopening of La Gloria after repairs from the 2023 hurricane damage.
A 40-year milestone on Jalisco’s coast
The program’s arc is large. Over four decades, UdeG camps have reported more than eight million turtles rescued and released. That figure reflects long seasons of nest relocations, night patrols, and public releases that draw local families and visitors. It also reflects steady collaboration with hotels and restaurants near the nesting beaches.
Season goals are data-driven. CUCSur expects to protect thousands of nests and hundreds of thousands of eggs this cycle, with releases surpassing half a million if weather cooperates. Golfina remains the most common nester on these beaches. Black turtles and leatherbacks also arrive, though in smaller numbers.
Threats on the beach
The work faces two stubborn threats. Nest poaching still happens despite regular patrols. Off-road vehicles—including RZR-style buggies—compact sand, crush eggs, and disturb nesting females. Program staff say federal inspectors and local volunteers have reduced damage, but risks remain, especially on open stretches near towns. Field leaders are asking for a stronger presence from the federal environmental prosecutor, Profepa, in Tomatlán this season to deter theft and vehicle traffic.
Those pressures are not unique to Jalisco. Profepa has run broader environmental enforcement operations in recent months, reflecting a wider push on habitat and resource protection. Local coordinators hope the same attention is paid to nesting beaches during the peak months.
Community, science, and volunteers
UdeG frames the program as hands-on science backed by community ties. Biologists train students in nest handling, incubation, and release protocols. Outreach teams visit schools and coordinate with the tourism sector to manage visitor pressure during peak releases. That mix of research, teaching, and local engagement has kept the camps active through storms, funding shifts, and rising coastal use.
The university is again recruiting volunteers for the six-month season. UdeG students from thematic centers, regional campuses, and high schools can sign up through the program’s social channels. Training covers safe nest relocation, hatchery care, and release procedures. Sign-ups run as patrols ramp up along Tomatlán and Cihuatlán beaches.
Why it matters now
Turtle nesting is a public draw and a conservation barometer. A successful season points to healthier beaches and stronger local stewardship. A weak season can signal pressure from development, traffic, or warming seas. UdeG’s 40th year arrives with realistic goals, tight protocols, and a clear ask for enforcement support on the sand. If the weather holds and patrols keep pace, those 544,000 hatchlings could hit the water by early 2026—another step in a long, local recovery story.
