Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Every Summer, Olive Ridley sea turtles start arriving on the shores of Banderas Bay to nest their eggs, and the people of Puerto Vallarta are committed to their preservation.

As the sea turtle nesting takes place on public beaches, the city's municipal government, hotel industry, and private citizens all get involved in the protection effort through turtle conservation and protection programs run by professional marine biologists.

In the current spawning season, three thousand Olive Ridley turtles have hatched and been released on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta. This makes our city a leader in the preservation of this species that is an important part of the natural diversity in Banderas Bay region.

In this regard the Director of Environment and Ecology of the City of Puerto Vallarta, Juan José Navarro Amaral, reported last week that more than 70,000 eggs have been collected and are sheltered at the Department of Environment and Ecology's nesting corral on Holi Beach.

He noted that compared to last year, in 2015 the number of spawning turtles and hatchling releases has grown by 20 percent. "An average of 10 nests are hatchling every day and the baby turtles are taken to sea as soon as possible. We also have two turtle releases programs every week that are open to the general public."

The expert noted that the process of incubation takes about 45 days, "so we started the release program in mid-August and so far we have released about 3,000 turtles."

It is estimated that by the end of the season just over 250,000 sea turtle eggs will have been protected with the support of the Vigilante Tortuguero (Turtle Watchers) volunteers and reports made by people who have located and reported nesting sites so that the turtle eggs could be collected and protected.

"This is possible thanks to the program that we have for the Protection of Sea Turtles, which includes activities like night tours for localization and collection of the nests and hatchling release, which complement the awareness and efforts that we make throughout the year to make the people of Vallarta aware of the importance of the conservation of the species," the city official said. "We have also provided training aimed at volunteers who participate in the 'Vigilante Tortuguero' program," he added.

For more information on the city's turtle protection program, call the Department of Environment and Ecology at 322-160-3279, or visit the Medio Ambiente Puerto Vallarta Facebook page.

There are also a number of ecological groups and hotels such as the CasaMagna Marriott, Sheraton Buganvilias, Buenaventura Premier, and several others who also protect the species and organize release sessions that give guests the opportunity to help newborn turtles through the first steps of their lives.

Everyone is invited to come to Puerto Vallarta and witness this wonder of nature, while participating in the conservation of endangered marine turtles. Without a doubt, to be in such close contact with nature is an unforgettable experience for all ages.