Located along the rich Mexican coastline of the Riviera Nayarit, San Pancho, is a quiet beach town bursting with cultural vibrance. Recognized as a “magic town” for its history, beauty and natural wonders, it attracts travelers from around the world. The warm, temperate climate of Nayarit also makes it an important nesting ground for sea turtles, who have chosen this coastline for millenia to lay their eggs on its sandy shores. 

 

As a female turtle makes her way up the beach, she digs a hole where she releases her eggs. Once safely buried, they begin their incubation process without any parental care. When the hatchlings emerge, they must navigate a treacherous journey across the sand, facing predators and environmental hazards before reaching the ocean. This is only the beginning of the challenges that a turtle will face as they find a way to survive the perils of the open sea that wait for them. 

The fascination with sea turtles has long captivated animal lovers worldwide. Whether witnessing a female nesting onshore or swimming alongside these graceful creatures, they inspire awe and wonder. Thanks to conservation efforts led by the Mexican government, sea turtle populations have improved significantly over the last few decades. Laws banning the consumption of turtle meat and eggs, alongside incentives for former poachers all have contributed to their protection. However, a new challenge has emerged in sea turtle conservation: educating the public on the crucial role these animals play in marine ecosystems. 

 

For my capstone project, I produced a documentary about Grupo Ecológico De La Costa Verde, the first and oldest sea turtle conservation program in Nayarit, Mexico. I met with key figures, including the program’s founder, the new managing director, dedicated team members, and a born and raised local who knew life in San Pancho befor Sea Turtle Conservation came to it's shores.

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Sea turtles face numerous threats to their nesting beaches, from hurricanes and predators to human encroachment. This program’s primary mission is to locate and relocate vulnerable nests to a protected nursery, where eggs can safely incubate until hatching. Once ready, the hatchlings are placed in a warm basket roughly an hour before sunset to give time to wake up, then carefully released onto the beach. 

 

One of Grupo Ecológico De La Costa Verde’s mission is to ensure that everyone has access to experience a sea turtle release for free. From local children to travelers from across the world, they believe that witnessing a turtle’s first moments in the world right before they enter the ocean should be an experience had by everyone. My aim is to showcase this gift that they give not only to the public but to the turtle’s themselves.

This program emphasizes education, especially for children, with hopes to inspire future generations to cherish and protect sea turtles. Before each release, a brief explanation is given both in English and Spanish to engage the crowd.  Volunteers help smooth out the sand, creating a clear pathway for the turtles, while children excitedly dig small side rails with their hands. As the final hatchlings reach the waves, the crowd erupts in applause - celebrating a small but meaningful victory for conservation. I hope to capture this special experience and inspire others to one day participate in a turtle release of their own. 

 

My documentary aims to shed light on the challenges facing sea turtle conservation, particularly ecological damage caused by rapid coastal development. With rising demand for beachfront property, nesting sites are increasingly threatened by large-scale resorts seeking private shorelines for their guests. Simultaneously, runoff from developments further up the hills within San Pancho trickle down onto the sand and into the ocean, causing unknown harm to the local wildlife who inhabit the area. 

 

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Mexico is internationally recognized as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, ranking 5th in the World Atlas. Its ecological richness underscores its significance as a haven and focal point for conservation. With a consistent warm climate year round, optimal conditions create a thriving ecosystem for various species including migratory sea turtles which have long relied on its extensive coastlines as essential nesting grounds for their hatchlings. These beaches support a vital foundation for the survival of future generations, reinforcing Mexico’s importance as a steward of marine biodiversity and conservation.

 

The survival of these ancient species, which have existed for millennia, is still under significant threat. Climate change has emerged as a primary driver of their population decline, promoting growing concern among conservationists worldwide. Efforts to mitigate this crisis have led to the development of various strategies aimed at halting and reversing the decline of sea turtle populations. However, these species face compounded challenges due to anthropogenic factors, including plastic pollution, oil spills, bycatch, and ghost netting.

 

Historically, the consumption of sea turtle eggs has been a long standing tradition of the Mexican people. Indigenous tribes along the coastlines would catch sea turtles for substance. With green sea turtle soup a popular food dish in Great Britain in the 19th century, the demand extended to the rest of Europe and Asia, accounting for 50% of the world’s sea turtle catch coming from Mexico. Due to this high demand over decades, with bycatch and egg harvesting to aid decline, the sea turtle population collapsed.  

 

In May of 1990, the Government officially implemented a total ban on the capture and trade of sea turtles. This measure set forth a growing collaboration for the protection and conservation of Mexico’s sea turtles as a large number of the endangered animals lay their nests on Mexico's coastlines. Despite the ban, the cultural shift to sway consumption has been a challenge. Not only are turtle eggs still consumed for sustenance, it is still believed that sea turtle blood and oil can cure certain ailments.

 

As conservation efforts lead to growing population numbers, new scientific research highlights an additional benefit: ecosystem services. These services fall into four main categories: cultural, provisioning, regulating and supporting, demonstrating that conservation is not just a moral obligation but also a crucial factor in maintaining ecological balance.  

 

Over the last decade, rapid growth in the San Pancho area has skyrocketed, increasing demand for new development in the area. With limited environmental assessments, the long-term ecological impacts of this largely unregulated expansion remains uncertain. Comprehensive studies are still needed to fully understand the scope of the impact and what the future looks like.  

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