DEMATAC participated in this reunion with representatives of
institutions such as:
SEMARNAT, PROFEPA, CONANP, SEMAR,
and representatives of turtle hatchery sites from various states in the
republic: Veracruz, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Campeche, Jalisco, Sonora,
Quintana Roo, among others.

With DEMATAC were two members of sites in
Los Tuxtlas: Don
Eugenio
from Arrecifes amd Don Gonzalo of El Salado.

The reunion was held at
Hotel Novo Mar, in the Port of Veracruz

For more information (in Spanish) you may visit the following pages:

www.planetaazul.com.mx

www.elgolfo.info

www.semarnat.gob.mx
DEFENSORES DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE DE LOS TUXTLAS, A. C.

                                                                  ecological activism
SeaTurtle Hatcheries
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Visits to Sea Turtle Hatcheries
July 28 & 29, 2007
Sea Turtle Hatchery Arrecifes
After visiting Zapotitlan we moved on to the hatchery in Arrecifes  where we spoke with various
members about our interest in working with them. We were lucky, the hatchery had  60 turtles ready
for release and about 7:00 that evening we helped the people from the hatchery, along with children
from the community, release them.
During the night we made
several trips along the
beach to see if any turtles
had arrived to nest,
allowing us to collect the
eggs for incubation.  
Unfortunately, this night
did not bring us luck, nor
in the morning, but we
were content having had
the opportunity to help
with the prior days release.
This hatchery protects six
kilometers ( 3.72 miles) of
shoreline, and 35 to 40
turtles per season.  The
hawkbill and  
loggerhead turtles
(
tortuga caguama) are the
most common to visit this
beach
On the afternoon of July 27th a reunion was held at the turtle hatchery in the community of  Zapotitlan, in the  
municipality
Tatahuicapan. In this hatchery, the majority of the members are women. There are twelve members, three
are men.The president is is
Señora Eufemia Hernández Cruz.

These members watch over  about 14 kilometers  (8.68 miles) of beach. Approximately 40 turtles arrive seasonally, the
majority of which are the
Tortuga Carey (Hawkbill Turtle).
Sea Turtle Hatchery Zapotitlan
Photos: Jessica Hitandegui Swanson
Photos: Jessica Hitandegui Swanson
Workshop for "Training in the Management and  Conservation of the  Sea Turtle"
August 15, 16 & 17, 2007
The Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas
organized a workshop in the community
Peña
Hermosa
, municipality of Tatahuicapan de
Juárez, Veracruz
.
Of the eight participating communities, five have
supported turtle hatcheries for several years and
the other three are interested in participating in
sea turtle conservation by opening hatcheries
in their communities.
Asisiting in the workshops were the orgainzations:
PROFEPA,  CDI and DEMATAC, and it was
presented by  
Biologist Alejandro Arenas Martínez, of Flora, Fauna y Cultura de México, A. C.
(Xcaret)
Photos: Jessica Hitandegüi Swanson
Project Grant

The association Desarrollo Para Un Futuro Sustentable (Development for a Sustainable Future)
negotiated funds from
Fomento Social Banamex (Social Fomentation Banamex) and DIF del Estado
de Veracru
z (Comprehensive Family Development of  the State of Veracruz) to finance 12 projects  
managed by 7 associations in
Los Tuxtlas. DEMATAC will administer two projects (Project PET & Project
Tortugas, below
), with a grant totaling $ 592,652.00 MXN (Mexican Pesos)

General Objective of Project:

Support community initiatives for the preservation of natural resources in the Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas

Specific Objectives:

1)  Reinforce the abilities and activities of community groups that operate sea turtle hatcheries in El Salado, Capulteol
, Arrecifes y Zapotitlán

2) Equip the four hatcheries

3) Dissemination of the initiatives and experiences of these hatcheries

4) Involve student volunteers in the hatchery and project activities

5) Promote coverage regarding the protection of the
sea turtles that arrive at the coastlines of the Reserva de la Biosfera
- Los Tuxtlas

(For detailed information in Spanish on the project, see
link)
Mexico - World Capital for Sea Turtles

Mexico is known as the world's capital for sea turtles because 7 of the 8 known species nest on our
beaches. Along the
Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, Mexico hosts some of the most important
nesting beaches for the following species:

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricata) - Kemps Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys Kempii) - Green
Turtle
(Chelonia Mydas)  Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta)

Along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, Mexico also has important nesting sites for:

Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys Coriacea) - Olive Turtle (Ridley Lepidochelys) - Black Turtle
(Chelonia Agassizi)

Al species of sea turtles are in danger of extinction and are listed on CITES (Convention of
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
Appendix I, which
prohibits international trade.
The capture and trade of sea turtles and their products are
forbidden.
Workshops and Beach Cleanup in El Salado
September 27 & 28, 2007
Workshop: What is trash? Adequate management of domestic solid waste, with some of the members of the turtle hatchery
at El Salado.
Beach Cleanup Campaign
After the turtles have hatched we remove them from their nests to protect them from predators. In three to five days the
baby turtles will be ready for release.
Volunteers
Photo:
Jessica Hitandegüi Swanson
Arturo, a child
fromEl Salado,
excited about
participating in the
cleanup of the beach
where the sea turtles
nest.
Gil & Arturo (residents of El
Salado), Pedro & Ismari
(Students from TSU-UV),
collecting plastic bottles.
Gil & Alondra
(residents of El
Salado) cleaning the
beach.
Before the cleanup
After the cleanup
Beach Cleanup at "El Salado"
August 28 & 29, 2007
Photos of  beach cleanup: Brenda Bojórquez López
Descriptive text in
Spanish
por
Brenda Bojórquez López
Workshop: What is Trash?
Adequate Management of Domestic Solid Waste
Workshop: Sea Turtles
Protecting our Beaches
October 20, 2007
In the community of Capulteol we held a workshop for
the members of the turtle hatcheries and for children
of the community.
Beach Cleanup Campaign at the Turtle Hatchery at Capulteolt
November 5, 2007
Delivery of Equipment to the Turtle Hatcheries of El Salado y Capulteolt
November 10, 2007
Delivery of Equipment to the Turtle Hatcheries of Arrecife and Zapotitlan
November 18, 2007
Defensores del Medio Ambiente de Los Tuxtlas, A. C., purchased with funds from DIF of Veracruz, delivered
equipment for the hatcheries at  
Capulteolt and El Salado as established in the project: “Reactivación de Actividades
Comunitarias para la Preservación de los Recursos Naturales Afectadas por el Huracán Stan”.

Equipment consisted of the following articles:

  • 5 Swiss Army Knives                                        
  • 6 sets foul weather ponchos
  • 3 shovels
  • 3 1 inch paint brushes
  • 2 5 inch paint brushes
  • 4 locks
  • 2 chains 1 meter in length
  • 2 ecological style flash lights
  • 5 hand-free lanterns  
  • 1 set of bungee cords
  • 8 elastic belts
  • 8 fanny packs
  • 1 set of two-way radios
  • 1 measuring tape, 20 meters
  • 1 battery charger
  • 1 package of rechargeable batteries
  • 20 Styrofoam coolers
  • 3 marking pens

In addition, up to this date and on four separate occasions, we have presented to each of the participants of the activities a
container of food and housegold supplies valued at $ 185.00 pesos per container, as an incentive for their work and
participation. We plan to deliver more of these supplies in the following months.
Turtle Hatchery "Capulteolt"
Turtle Hatchery "El Salado"
Delivery of identical equipment as is listed
on November 10, 2007 (see below) to the
hatcheries at
Arrecifes and Zapotitlan,
by
Defensores del Medio Ambiente de
Los Tuxtlas, A. C.
, purchased with funds
from
DIF of Veracruz and as established in
the project: “Reactivación de Actividades
Comunitarias para la Preservación de los
Recursos Naturales Afectadas por el
Huracán Stan”.


DEMATAC has now completed the first part
of the training and equipping of four turtle
hatcheries. At the beginning of 2008 we will
complete the second phase, followed by the
installation of signs, publicity, and field
exchange trips to other turtle hatcheries
throughout Mexico.
Turtle Hatchery "Arrecifes"
Turtle Hatchery "Zapotitlan"
The first beach cleanup was completed at
the turtle hatchery in Capulteolt.

Participation included members of the
hatchery and residents of the
community of Capulteolt who
demonstrated their enthusiasm by
completing the job optimistically and
rapidly.

They also requested that the next
cleanup campaign be held as soon as
possible, and we have scheduled it for
December 3, 2007.
Reunión Nacional sobre Conservación de Tortugas Marinas
(National Reunion for the Conservation of Sea Turtles)
November 25 - 28, 2007
Initial Report and Financial Report for DIF, Veracruz
December 27, 2007

In conformity with DEMATAC’s policy of transparency and openness, we have published our Primary Report and Financial
Report on “Project Sea Turtle Hatcheries”
(Reports are in Spanish):

Initial Report

Financial Report

If you have any questions, please contact us.
Primary School in Arrecifes
Primary School at Zapotitlan
TEBAEV in Zapotitlan
Secondary School
Zapotitlan
School Workshops & Talks: “The Importance of Sea Turtle Conservation and Protecting their
Nesting Beaches”
March 6 & 7, 2008
The children from the primary schools in Arrecifes and Zapotitlán participated in the workshop: "Protecting Our
Beaches and the Sea Turtle".
Secondary students and those from TEBAEV in Zapotitlán participated in the discussion:
The Importance of Sea Turtle Conservation and Protecting their Nesting Beaches”. Six students
from the university
"Universidad Veracruzana Intercultural" (UVI) in Huazuntlán, Veracruz assisted DEMATAC
in the presentation the workshops.
"Exchange Program  for the Conservation of Sea Turtles, between Communities in Los Tuxtlas,
Veracruz and Ventanilla, Oaxaca"
April 5 & 6, 2008
We were honored by the participation in this program of Biologists
José Luis Miranda
and Rosa Ciria Martínez Portugal from
Campamento Tortuguero Lechugillas
in Veracruz (CONANP),  
Señor Agustín Reyes, president of the "Red de Humedales de
Oaxaca"
(Wetlands Network of Oaxaca) and Señor Galo Escamilla
Martínez
, member of the sea turtle hatchery site inVentanilla,
Oaxaca
, plus the Biologist Christian Noe Absalón Torres,
technical advisor of the
Reserva de la Biosfera – Los Tuxtlas.

Saturday the 5th, activities began at 8:00 a.m. with the departure
from the
Embarcadero de Sontecomapan by motor launch,
captained by our good friend and bold mariner
Don Eugenio
Hernández
(Cleto) . During the day we visited four turtle hatchery
camps, beginning with
Capulteolt, and following with Zapotitlan,
Arrecifes
and El Salado.

The visits gave the biologists the opportunity to discuss with
community members the manner in which they work to protect the
eggs laid by
sea turtles on the Gulf of Mexico beaches of Los
Tuxtlas
. They were then able to give recommendations Sunday for
improving the management of these eggs.

Sunday the members of the various camps, with the exception of
Capulteolt, joined together in the "casa ejidal" (ejido headquarters) in
Arrecifes to present the proposals of the biologists, discuss the
experiences of the Wetlands Network of Oaxaca, and ultimately, to
share recommendations and ideas.

At the closing of the event, shirts commemorating the exchange
program and Certificates of Participation were presented, after which
we all enjoyed a fine meal prepared for us by the womenfolk of
Arrecifes, who also are members of the sea turtle camps.

During the visit the president of the
Arrecifes camp found a turtle
nearby, which we released after the meeting. We also had the good
fortune to come across a
Tortuga Blanca swimming in the Gulf near
the beach between
Arrecifes and El Salado.
DEMATAC has completed the delivery of equipment to the sea turtle camps of  Capulteolt, El Salado, Arrecifes and
Zapotitlán
. During this second and final delivery, each of the camps received the following:

• $3,900.00 Mexican Pesos (Approx: $ 380 USD) in gasoline vouchers
• 1 post hole digger
• 2 clip boards
• 2 rolls of flexible wire mesh
• 2 packs of pens
• 50 registration forms
• 1 technical manual of sea turtle protection techniques
• 1 battery charger
• 1 pack of rechargeable D batteries
• 1 50 liter plastic demijohn
• 1 12 volt charger
• 2 puzzles


The
Arrecifes camp received 2 filters for one of the 4-wheel ATVs and DEMATAC paid the repairs for one of the ATVs from
Zapotitlán
.

In addition,
DEMATAC signed an agreement with each camp that a DEMATAC member will accompany sea turtle camp
participants once a month on nocturnal visits to the nesting sites. These monthly visits will also serve to verify that the
material donated to the camps is being put to the proper use, and used only by the participants in the activities for the
conservation of the
sea turtles on the Gulf Coast of Los Tuxtlas. If the person in charge of the equipment does not
participate in the activities of the
sea turtle camp in his/her corresponding community, the existing equipment in his/her
possession will be placed under the control of another active participant. The objective being to do all possible to insure that
the equipment is put to proper use.
Final Delivery of Equipment to Sea Turtle Camps
May 1 - 5, 2008
Zapotitlán
Arrecifes
El Salado
Eufemia Hernández, Presidente del Campamento
de
Zapotitlán receiving gasoline vouchers
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
COMING SOON