Protecting Marine Turtles: Our Year-Round Conservation Efforts

Playa Linda is home to four species of nesting sea turtles: Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Green Turtles, and, on rare occasions, Leatherbacks. While sightings of Leatherbacks are uncommon, their presence highlights the ecological importance of this coastline. Olive Ridley turtles are by far the most frequent nesters, with year-round activity peaking between July and December. With threats such as poaching, habitat disturbance, and human activities on the beach, our conservation efforts are critical to ensuring that these turtles continue to return for generations to come.

Our Conservation Work

Protecting marine turtles at Playa Linda is a year-round commitment that involves daily patrols, nest relocations, and hatchery management. Since receiving our permit in July, we have worked tirelessly to monitor nesting activity and protect vulnerable nests. During the peak of Olive Ridley nesting, we conduct both morning and night patrols to document new nests, relocate eggs when necessary, and deter poaching. For the rest of the year, morning patrols allow us to monitor activity and protect any nests laid overnight.

One of our biggest accomplishments has been the construction and management of our own hatchery, providing a secure location where vulnerable nests can incubate safely. This controlled environment increases hatchling survival rates and allows us to track and study the nesting patterns of sea turtles on Playa Linda. While conservation work happens primarily on the beach, we are also working to expand our community education efforts, bringing awareness to schools, local businesses, and beachgoers.

Challenges Facing Playa Linda’s Sea Turtles

Despite our best efforts, sea turtles at Playa Linda face several threats. Poaching remains a major challenge, as turtle eggs are still sought after in some communities. Additionally, human activities on the beach, such as bonfires and vehicle traffic, can disturb nesting females and compact the sand, making it difficult for hatchlings to emerge from their nests. Addressing these challenges requires not only consistent patrolling but also education and advocacy to encourage responsible beach use.

Celebrating Our Successes

While challenges remain, our team has made significant progress in just a few months. Thanks to increased patrols and community awareness, we have seen a decrease in poached nests. The establishment of our hatchery has allowed us to protect more nests than ever before, and we are proud to report that we have successfully released over 1,000 hatchlings so far—with more on the way! Every turtle that reaches the ocean is a step toward strengthening the population of these endangered species.

How You Can Help

Our work is only possible with the help of dedicated volunteers and supporters. Whether you’re interested in joining a patrol, spreading awareness, or making a donation, your involvement can make a real difference. You can also help simply by being a responsible beachgoer—avoiding bonfires, keeping the beach clean, and respecting turtle nesting sites.

If you’d like to get involved or learn more about our efforts, reach out to us today! Together, we can ensure that Playa Linda remains a safe haven for sea turtles for years to come.