A recent report released by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation has shed light on the concerning situation faced by loggerhead sea turtles in Mexico. The report highlights a significant increase in the number of turtles being caught and killed in fishing nets due to the Mexican government's failure to enforce protection measures.
Since 2019, Mexico has drastically reduced by-catch quotas and inspections, leading to a surge in loggerhead sea turtle deaths and strandings. The report reveals that between 2018 and 2020, the number of dead turtles found in and around the Gulf of Ulloa rose to 1,360, a stark contrast to the previous years.
Under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's administration, Mexico eliminated the quota on dead loggerheads in 2023 and significantly decreased inspection and surveillance actions in the region. This lack of oversight has raised concerns among environmental experts and conservationists.
While Mexico attributes sea turtle mortality to various factors such as predators, boat collisions, pollution, and diseases, experts emphasize that bycatch in fishing gear remains the primary threat to loggerhead sea turtles. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration underscores the importance of implementing sea turtle-excluder devices on nets to mitigate this risk.
The report also criticizes Mexico for its failure to hold fishing boats accountable for turtle deaths, as no criminal complaints have been filed or prosecutions sought. The international community, including the U.S., may intervene to ensure Mexico complies with protection measures to safeguard loggerhead sea turtles.
As the most common sea turtle in U.S. waters and beaches, the loggerhead species is classified as endangered globally. The urgent need for Mexico to address the alarming threat faced by loggerhead sea turtles underscores the importance of robust conservation efforts and enforcement of protective measures.
