SEE Turtles

Overview

Description

SEE Turtles links people with sea turtle sites in ways that directly support efforts to protect sea turtles. Baja California Sur, Mexico, is a critical location for sea turtle populations. It is host to five of the world’s seven species — all of which are listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Most of Baja California’s turtles go there to feed and grow; many migrate thousands of miles across the entire Pacific. Sea turtles here find a haven rich in food sources and dynamic habitats, which are ideal for growing strong until they reach reproductive age and are ready to begin the long migration to start the process anew at the beaches where they were born.

Making a Difference

While a few turtle sites have benefited from modest, tightly monitored tourism programs, most turtle conservation sites, though interested, have not been able to take advantage of this strategy. The two biggest reasons that local and regional groups have not been able to tap this market are the lack of resources to either: 1) conduct outreach to the tourism market; or 2) build the necessary capacity to handle tourism. The heavy majority of turtle conservation groups around the world are small-budget groups working with few resources.

SEE Turtles strengthens the international network of sea turtle conservation organizations by filling the gaps in market access and capacity building. To fill the gap in market access, we are developing relationships with international tour operators to include sea turtle conservation activities, and educating key constituencies through our website, media outreach, and other key venues. We are supporting capacity building efforts by providing mini-grants, sharing knowledge about the necessary components of a tourism strategy, and connecting partners with resources that can help to build capacity. In addition, we are helping to improve how tourists, operators, and conservation organizations manage turtle viewing through the development and dissemination of a best practices guide.

Rates

$150 and up

We promote group tours managed by outside tour operators that range from $1,100 to $1,900 per person, including all ground costs (food, lodging, transport, guides, activities, and a donation to local conservation efforts), but not including airfare.

For more information about rates, please visit:

• www.seethewild.org/541/14/baja-camping-turtle-research.html (available in English).
• www.seethewild.org/541/13/whale-watching-turtle-research.html (available in English).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Loreto (LTO), La Paz (LAP), Los Cabos (SJD)

Additional Information

Additional Web sites

• www.eco-index.org/search/results.cfm?projectID=1370 (available in English and Spanish). Profile of the SEE Turtles project available on the Rainforest Alliance's Eco-Index website.

Date This Information Was Provided

December 2011.

Photos courtesy of SEE Turtles, Mexico, for SustainableTrip.org.