Project Update: May 2006

During May 2006 we monitored the North Pacific coast of Baja California Sur. This includes the areas of san Juanico, San Ignacio Lagoon, Punta Abreojos, La Bocana and Guerrero Negro. These sites (except for San Juanico which is the southest point) are included in the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve. We monitored approximately 100 km of beaches, four villages and five dump-sites.

Totally we found 80 carapaces belonging to 4 species, no leatherback turtle has been found. Causes of death have been identified as being consumption for 28 individuals, unknown for 51 and a boat collision for one of them.

During the month of June we will visit the North Gulf coast of Baja California Sur so that to complete the preliminary monitoring of all the sites.

Solid network has been established with staff from the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve and fishermen from San Ignacio lagoon and Punta Abreojos. The idea is that they will conduct the mortality census every month and we will join them once every two months. They have been trained and received all the equipment needed for the monitoring.