Turtle nest damage update from Akumal

Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA) posted a data table to update of the status of turtle nests following Hurricane Dean: http://www.ceakumal.org/images/pdf/Reporte_nidos_huracan_Dean.pdf

From a report from CEA staffer Alma Boada:

CEA had a lot of responsibilities to get ready before Dean’s arrival. We were working on our Bay Management Program, we were doing great in our Turtle Nesting Season, we were building our new Eco Bathrooms, we were starting a new turtle campaign with Flora Fauna y Cultura, and we had a project to redesign our Information Center. We were working hard and doing our best to continue protecting this beautiful bay. So when we knew about Dean, we had to double our efforts and be prepared. We made teams to protect the office, our equipment, buoys, dorms and turtle nests. Unfortunately of all the nests over 48 days old that we wanted to save, we were just able to save four green turtle nests. The rest of the sticks had been moved by people and we couldn’t find them as quickly as we needed. As a group, we did a very good job and after the tragedy we are working again. We are glad that turtles started nesting two days after Dean. The reef was damaged but apparently not as much as it could have been. We still need to evaluate it, as well as the water quality. As soon as we have the results we will inform you.