On March 22, the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), in coordination with GPG, conducted a training workshop on regulations and sea turtle nest management at Villamar Beach in Tuxpan (Veracruz, Mexico). The workshop was aimed at technicians and volunteers from Nakú Kayám, a sea turtle conservation camp.
The training was led by biologist Jhostin Iván Sánchez Serda, operational technician of the Lobos-Tuxpan Reef System Flora and Fauna Protection Area, with the objective of improving management practices within the camp.
To kick off the workshop, a group integration activity was held, where each participant briefly introduced themselves and performed a movement for others to replicate.
Later, Jhostin shared his experience in sea turtle conservation camps, emphasizing the importance of getting involved in species protection, regardless of one’s profession or trade.
His testimony inspired Mari Carmen Romero Aguilar, a fellow of the “Con Día Solidario voy a la Universidad” program, to share her experience as a volunteer at the Rancho Nuevo Beach Sanctuary, where she participated in monitoring and nest-cleaning activities.
The CONANP technician discussed key aspects of NOM-162-SEMARNAT-2012, a regulation that establishes specifications for the protection and management of sea turtles in nesting habitats. During his presentation, he explained the construction of enclosures, the nesting process, and the factors to consider in order to minimize nest loss during the 2025 nesting season.
To reinforce the knowledge acquired, attendees were divided into four teams, each responsible for presenting their interpretation of different sections of the regulation.
At the end of the presentations, Jhostin awarded certificates of recognition to the technicians and volunteers who participated in the workshop.
He also congratulated the technical team for their invaluable work at the camp, emphasizing that Nakú Kayám is considered one of the best-managed sea turtle conservation camps in northern Veracruz.
To conclude the workshop, a final integration activity was held, where participants formed a circle, exchanged a relaxing massage with a partner, and shared, in a single word, the most significant learning they took from the session.
