BajaNomad

Turtle Article - Cabo

Diver - 7-20-2008 at 04:47 PM

The next time you’re in Los Cabos, Mexico, greet the sea turtles and wish them well. Just 15 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas, in Rancho Punta San Cristobal, the Assn. for the Protection of the Environment and the Marine Turtle in Southern Baja (ASUPMATOMA) invites you to explore its sea turtle camps. There, you can spend time with local biologists and learn more about the endangered species.
According to the organization’s website, the sea turtle population in the Sea of Cortez region is in great danger because of pollution, land development and illegal fishing and hunting. Sea turtles have been around for more than 200 million years. For many reasons, it’d be a shame to see them go.
ASUPMATOMA’s opening season for visitors has started, and goes through the end of March 2009. There is no admission fee to tour the preserves, though donations to the nonprofit organization are gratefully accepted. If you’d like to visit, the organization requests that you call ahead of time or e-mail via the website.
Contact: ASUPMATOMA, +52 (624) 14-165-41

palmeto99 - 7-20-2008 at 04:53 PM

Its is because of the Mexicans mistaken belief that eating these wonderful creatures leads to some male potency boosts. They know that the turtle population is in peril but the majority just do not care...:cool:

Udo - 7-20-2008 at 05:18 PM

Where is the person that asked this group where the best place is in Baja to find turtle soup?
I believe Nomad Lee started the thread. It was thankfully ended with many nomads speaking on behalf of the turtles and the ongoing conservation efforts in Baja.

palmeto99 - 7-20-2008 at 05:24 PM

I found the posts about turtle soup disturbing and found the people who were advocating the eating of the soup revolting. You know who you are..:cool:.

Turtles? I SAVE turtles! I am Zorro!

Lee - 7-20-2008 at 05:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by udowinkler
Where is the person that asked this group where the best place is in Baja to find turtle soup?
I believe Nomad Lee started the thread. It was thankfully ended with many nomads speaking on behalf of the turtles and the ongoing conservation efforts in Baja.


Yes it was me -- and it was Shark who asked, prior, if turtles were REALLY being eaten in Baja. My post asked where in Baja turtles were BEING eaten. Hypocrits that they are, those who eat turtles, or, sit at the table in restaurants while their FRIENDS eat turtles, did not post where the restaurants are.

I recognize that cultural lag and lack of education by Mexicans AND AMERICANS have put turtles on the endangered species list.

I DO NOT eat turtles -- and if I had to PRIVATELY allow someone to LOSE FACE as they served up turtle, I'd allow them to lose face gently. Geeze.

I recognize that dead turtles, families that can only subsist on turtles, along with other endangered species, get some slack cut.

The rest need to be beaten with an ugly stick.

Turtles = virility? Poor poor Mexican men. Guess they're lacking in ways most US men aren't.

Hey, from that thread, I didn't get that noMads eat turtles. Only that they allow turtles to be eaten -- rather than allow someone NOT to lose face. Hypocrits! Show some backbone!

fulano - 7-20-2008 at 05:52 PM

Turtles are not kosher.

Don Alley - 7-20-2008 at 06:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fulano
Turtles are not kosher.


No, but traditionally, they are considered "fish" and therefore are a popular "non-meat" dish for Semana Santa.

I have heard, but can't find the source, that turtle protection groups have been unsuccessful in attempts to get the Vatican to declare that sea turtles are NOT fish.

Also, researchers Comer and Nichols write...
Quote:

In Loreto, knowledge of the local black market turtle trade is widespread. Butchered sea turtle meat in Loreto can bring in US$9-14/lb (MN 200-300/kg), or sometimes more in winter when turtles are scarcer. Anonymous informants from Loreto have noted that sea turtle is a dish served at dinners for politicians, the police, and drug dealers...

...There are only a few well known turtle poachers in Loreto, but some speculate that collectively they kill around 360 turtles per year...


source: Loreto, the Future of the First Capitol of the Californias
San Diego State and UABCS

palmeto99 - 7-20-2008 at 06:21 PM

As a long time resident of Loreto, I have been offered the shell of a turtle(not the meat) at least 4 times a year over 14 years. You do the math...:cool:

Udo - 7-20-2008 at 06:23 PM

Hola, Lee,

I'm glad that neither you nor any Nomad allowed that information to get disseminated.
Once I move near La Paz with my RV, you'll see me & my wife being higly active in a variety of conservation efforts. I am not an environmentalist on the US side of the border (look what happened in the San Bernardino mountains when they managed to stop the USFS from clearing the dead trees and cut additional fire roads a few years ago).

ELINVESTIG8R - 7-20-2008 at 06:34 PM

Humane Society International: Methods used to capture and kill sea turtles generally cause stress and suffering, as they are usually captured live, stored on their backs in the direct sun without food or water, and slaughtered by cutting open the shell while the animals are still conscious.



This does not look like it was killed humanely.







Save the Sea Turtle and stop them from being slaughtered while still alive screaming in pain as they are cut from their shells!

"One for all, all for one"

ROLL CALL















Save the Sea Turtles...



[Edited on 7-21-2008 by ELINVESTI8]

Udo - 7-20-2008 at 06:49 PM

Weeeeeelllll, it did not work...
I was trying to add my name to the sword fight.

My programming:light: skills are comical:bounce: