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October 2006
CEA Electronic Communications are in English and Spanish. Para leer este boletín en español, favor de haga clic aquí.
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Click on the images to see larger versions.
Fourth Annual Marine Turtle Festival
In Tulúm, on October 12–14, CEA joined in the celebration of the 4th Annual Sea Turtle Festival. During those days, the main street of Tulúm was filled with cultural events and there were beach clean-ups and a massive turtle release (1,500 hatchlings) from X'cacel Beach. Thanks to the work of Mauricio Bautista, our Education Program Coordinator, and Armando Lorences, our Marine Turtle Program Coordinator, CEA participated during those three days. We had the opportunity to locate a stand where we were able, by games, presentations and plays, to explain to people the importance of the turtles in our ecosystems.
All the staff members and volunteers presented to children our play, Amigos de las Tortugas, where we invited them to join us in becoming “Friends of the Turtles.” They are eligible for our new kids' membership, including being able to go to one of our liberations and to receive a 20% discount on their first purchase at the CEA EcoStore. The donation for kids’ membership is $2 US, and can be gotten at the CEA Information Center. Thanks to all of the people who worked on this festival and to all of those who help us to preserve the turtles and the environment.
Staff Changes
CEA is proud to announce a few staff changes. We have a new Marine and Coastal Protection Program Coordinator, Miguel Ángel Maldonado. He comes to Akumal from Puerto Morelos, where he worked as the head of Investigation and Monitoring in the National Reef Park of Puerto Morelos. He also worked on different projects related with environmental education programs. We will include his photograph in the next newsletter.
Juan Antonio Huerta has been working as our new property manager, doing a great job helping CEA get its space in order, look great and improve our beach management. Juan Antonio was the director of the Environment Department at the Municipal government and is a biologist, with strong experience in waste management and sustainable beach management.
Edith Sosa Bravo has returned to CEA, after getting her Master’s degree in aquaculture. She was at CEA a few years ago, as Environmental Education Coordinator. Edith now runs our Water Quality Program. Welcome back, Edith!
Turtle Study
CEA is working on monitoring juvenile turtles in Akumal Bay. The work consists of capturing turtles to mark, measure, weigh, and take blood samples to look for sickness, as well as for genetic studies.
This will provide us data about the impact of tourism and development, as well as how pollution affects their illnesses. This study will help us to have better sustainable development and not to damage the ecosystem of the turtles and other species.
Click here for an updated chart of turtle nests and hatchings.
New Signs at Akumal Bay and Centro Ukana
CEA has located two signs on the beach to help minimize visitor impacts to the coastal zone. We also started having guards who ensure that tourists and local people follow the rules to preserve the beauty of Akumal Bay.
Also, CEA has placed two more signs with a map of Centro Ukana property, so that tourists and locals alike can find the stores, restaurants and general services that we have in Akumal.
Our goal is to comply with all government requirements so we can be able to secure the beach, the property and the bay. We will continue working and letting you know what we are doing for the sustainable development of Akumal.
Restoration Project at Half Moon Bay
CEA is supporting Nova Southeastern University and the Coral Reef Institute working in a project of restoration of the reef in Half Moon Bay. Reef Balls are made of a special, marine-friendly concrete and are designed to mimic natural reef systems. Reef Balls are created by pouring concrete into a fiberglass mold containing a central polyform buoy surrounded by various-sized inflatable balls to make holes. They are designed to create stable artificial reef modules, forming hiding places for fish and foundations for coral growth.
Reef Balls are used primarily to restore ailing coral reefs but have also been placed in coastal areas around the world as submerged breakwater to help prevent beach erosion. They are also used to encourage coral reef recruitment following hurricanes and even to create artificial reefs off turtle nesting beaches to reduce the impact of trawling vessels on turtle populations.
Thanks to Akumal Beach Resort!
We thank the Akumal Beach Resort for joining us in locating informational exhibits along their property to educate tourists about the correct management of Akumal Bay.
Species of the Month
In Quintana Roo some groups have started working to preserve the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). This kind of crab is threatened by excessive harvesting, loss of habitat, overfishing, and cars that crush them in their travels between the sea and the mangroves.
The blue crab helps preserve the mangrove ecosystem. They help break down the organic material thereby regenerating the ecosystem.
They can live up to 8 years. During the first full moon of the rainy season, they migrate from their holes in the mangrove to the sea where they copulate. The females have around 370,000 eggs but only 5% of them live. We invite you to help us preserve the blue crab. Drive with caution, and try to moderate your consumption of crab products.
Staff Birthdays
November 3 – Paul Sánchez-Navarro, CEA Director. Don’t forget to send him an e-mail or a birthday card. Happy Birthday, Paul!
Calendar of Events
Reminder – Save the Sea
Mark your calendars for February 21 and 22 for the CEA Festival 2007. This coming event will include CEA's Second Annual Silent Auction and Gala Dinner. Stay tuned for more details!
Lisa Cooney has generously donated one of her beautiful eggs for our silent auction in February. The egg will be designed with turtles on it. To view some of her eggs, please visit her Web site.
If you would like to make a donation, please contact us.
Please continue to tell your friends about CEA! Many CEA Members join after being referred to CEA by people like you. If you have questions about how you can become more involved, please contact us. The Yucatan Environmental Foundation is the U.S. 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor for CEA. All donations made through YEF for CEA are tax-deductible in the U.S.
If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, or simply need to contact CEA, please click here.
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