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Author: Subject: Turtle Tacos
Dave
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puzzled.gif posted on 1-25-2009 at 07:10 PM
I don't


Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
The turtles are being slaughtered. Everybody here knows that, including you.


Not trying to be cute but I really don't know much about the plight of turtles. How is it they are being slaughtered and why? Are there that many Mexicans eating turtle? I don't see it on a menu, anywhere. Every time I see video of turtles there are thousands of the little creatures running across the sand to the water.

Never had turtle. Doesn't sound appetizing. Guess it must be a secret.




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DENNIS
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lol.gif posted on 1-25-2009 at 07:14 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Not trying to be cute


Don't worry.

Edited to show one of those insipid laughing faces to indicate humor. It didn't cooperate.

[Edited on 1-26-2009 by DENNIS]
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[*] posted on 1-25-2009 at 07:19 PM






Run for the hills!:lol:




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Sharksbaja
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[*] posted on 1-26-2009 at 12:37 AM
Primer for Dave


The following article was submitted by Baja Nomad "Oxxo"

Yes, the sea turtles are out in force on Baja beaches this time of year. To clear up the question above, the Spanish word 'tortuga' refers to either land or sea turtles. "Caguama" is the Spanish name for a particular species of sea turtle called the "Loggerhead" in English. In the Baja, the Loggerhead resides primarily in the upper SOC where it dines on its favorite food, Jellyfish.

There are a total of 7 species of sea turtles world wide. All 7 species are considered endangered. As recently as 30 years ago, as many as 1 million sea turtles were harvested in Mexico each year for commercial purposes. Today, they are a protected marine animal in Mexico. However, poaching is still a continuing problem. 4 of the 7 species are found in the Baja. They are (with the Spanish names):
Olive Ridley (golfina)
Loggerhead (caguama or perico)
Leatherback (laud or baula)
Green (verde or blanca)

The Olive Ridley is the smallest of all the species and the one that is most common in the Baja. The pictures in the post above are of an Olive Ridley sea turtle.

In the Los Cabos area, Grupo Tortuguera has designated three sites as official sea turtle hatchling sites. They are:
San Jose - Presidente Resort
Corridor - Casa del Mar Resort
San Lucas - Pueblo Bonito Sunset Resort
Eggs are collected from the area and taken to the nearest hatchling site. If you see a nesting turtle or run across a nesting site in the Los Cabos area, please notify one of the resorts above and they will come and collect the eggs and re-bury them at their protected site. Do not disturb the nest. The resorts have trained personnel who know how to move the eggs properly. The survival rate to maturity of a sea turtle varies between 1% to 25% depending on circumstances and location. We hope that the Hatchling Program in Los Cabos can achieve close to a 25% survival rate.

Here are some points of interest about sea turtles. The information will vary somewhat from species to species.
- Nesting season is from June1 to December 31
- A female can lay as many as 100 eggs in a nest
- Incubation period is 45 days, more or less
- eggs are buried 12 to 18 inches below the sand
- Once hatched, a male never returns to land, a female returns only to lay her eggs.
- a female reaches egg laying maturity in 3 to 7 years.
- a female will lay anywhere from every year to every three years.
- a female can lay as many as 4 nests in any one year
- a female is like a salmon, she always returns to the same beach where she was hatched to lay her eggs, even though she may travel as far as South America or Asia searching for food between laying seasons.

I volunteer at one of the Hatchling sites in Los Cabos. Last Monday night we had 45 Olive Ridleys hatched that were released to the sea. Last night, 80 Leatherbacks hatched and were successfully released. So we are hoping that we get 20 or 25 out of this number that will reach maturity. We are expecting another hatching tomorrow night. We have a total of 5 additional nests incubating right now to be hatched within the next month or so. We expect to gather eggs for several more nests between now and the end of the nesting season. Again, if you find a nest, contact one of the resorts above, contact Grupo Tortuguero, or contact me (by U2U) and I'll try to help you. The public is welcome to come, observe, and volunteer if you wish at our site. We had probably two dozen children here last night watching
the hatchlings who will become life long friends of sea turtles. Trained personnel will allow a child (and adult) to hold a hatchling before releasing to the sea.

If you run across a female on land, do not disturb her. Do not use bright lights (flashlights, flash on cameras, etc.) These lights will confuse and disorient her. The female needs to work in the dark and private to accomplish her job. She does her job best when observed at a distance without distractions or interference.

If you should be lucky enough to find some hatchlings making their way to the sea, DO NOT PICK THEM UP AND CARRY THEM TO THE WATER'S EDGE. It is natural for us to want to help them out, but they do best without our physical help. When they hatch, they will often have part of the yolk sack attached to them. Crawling across the sand (as much as 100 yards) scrubs off this yolk sack and makes the hatchling less appetizing to predatory fish once they enter the water. Also, the females fine tune their homing instinct by crawling to the water. Without this trek to the sea, a female does not establish her home destination and will not nest during her lifespan. What we can do is stand guard over the hatchlings to make sure that they all make it to the water without being picked off by predators while on land.

Finally, please be very careful with ATVs, horses, and dogs on the beach during nesting season. ATVs and horses can compact the sand and prevent a nest from hatching and dogs will dig up nests to eat the eggs.

The turtles appreciate all the help that Nomad amigos can give to them. They are a necessary asset to the natural environment and so much a part of the Baja experience.

Muchas gracias , Oxxo

http://bajatortuga.com/torpages.aspx

[Edited on 1-26-2009 by Sharksbaja]




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[*] posted on 1-26-2009 at 12:43 AM


btw, I found this listed on the first Google page using keywords:

Turtle survival rate+Baja


Thanks oxxo

Dave, I think opportunists quietly kill and eat turtles and don't advertise their misdeeds. Would you?

Many people as well as myself tell of finding carapices along Bajas' beaches.




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[*] posted on 1-26-2009 at 05:09 AM
As provided by Natalie Ann, supra, we have discussed this topic before.


http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=32152&pag...

[Edited on 1-26-2009 by ELINVESTI8]




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[*] posted on 1-26-2009 at 07:46 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
So following this logic, one might assume that you agree that eating other human beings is cultural and just a part of nature that should not be regulated?? There certainly is no shortage of the human being animals and it is a practice that has occured in many parts of the world.

And in modern times, it has saved the lives of some, so maybe we should all try it---might be tasty.


The parts I've tried have been tasty.:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:




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[*] posted on 1-26-2009 at 07:50 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by norte
Yea, you are right. Here have a peanut butter sandwich... and some peanut butter cookies while your at it.




Norte....You're being a pest. Knock it off.


Who made you the board police?. For your info the gov't recently pulled peanut butter off the shelves. and the comment was to illustrate there is a valid purpose for eating laws.
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[*] posted on 1-26-2009 at 10:09 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Anyway... what do dogs have to do with turtles or endangered species?



Things you don't eat, for any number of reasons.

What's with you, David? (#1) Are you the self-apointed arbiter of right and wrong here?
(#2) Can you answer that without telling us where you and your parents were in November, '67?

(#3) Things have changed everywhere. They have new criteria for evaluation.

(#4)The turtles are being slaughtered. Everybody here knows that, including you. Why do you keep up with your slimey references to flavor and taste of the endangered species?

(#5) Your arrogance has finally made me sick.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#1) No Dennis, just the opposite... I am wondering why some people WITHOUT facts like to tell us what to eat or drive or do (if it does not infringe on others). I am for freedom with live and let live ideas. Unlike the silly reference to cannibalism above, killing people or private property (dogs) is obviously not allowed because it does infringe on others.

#2) I share my old memories and photos here because I don't see that there are many who have traveled Baja before pavement with photos... I get plenty of messages to never stop sharing the look into the past. Don't let history (even my history) bother you, please. There are new Nomads daily and if I think it may be interesting, informative or educational to re-show an old photo... I will. It doesn't prevent you from posting here or reading something else.

#3) Change is NOT always good... and who is 'they' who think they know so much?

#4) If true, why are there still any around? Where are new photos of new 'slaughter'? Everybody knows this? I bet any of us can befriend a wealthy Mexican family or a fisherman in turtle regions and have a turtle dinner... THEY don't think it is 'slimey'... they know it IS a delicacy. It isn't on menus because it is illegal.

To wrap my message up: I am Baja Nomad's biggest fan... I have worked since the beginning to help Doug get the word out about this site. The sharing of Baja travel stories, news, and friendship is my biggest desire here... to help fellow Nomads and to help the people of Baja California.

Often I like to get people to engage and think about things, so I will bring up an opposite point of view. In the beginning of my posts here, I clearly said I am in favor of the turtle fishing ban and do not eat turtle or buy turtle oil products. The comments about taste good, etc. was based on facts from countless stories about eating turtle over the years in Baja. I didn't make it up... don't shoot the messenger!

I am sorry you find my reply to ZAC's post here so bothering... but, I (in no way) intended to make you or anyone sick... Just to converse about the subject. If people never speak out or share other sides, how can we learn and grow?

Now, please have a nice day... and never let an Internet message board upset you... I am sorry it happened, please accept my apology Dennis.




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[*] posted on 1-26-2009 at 10:11 AM
I took a chance


and did my part..

In'97 I was windsurfing in San Juanico, from inside 2nd point over to the beach across the bay. In the middle of the bay there was a turtle tied by his arm to a bouy near a live keep box..I sailed by a few times with this poor little dude(a verde) looking at me and struggling....I was able to get him free..I would guess he fell pray to another predator due to his severely weekened state...I thought for sure I would get a visit from the locals later in the day,,not hard to find the only camp with a big sail rigged..No visit..I felt pretty good about it, although I'm sure I ruined a Mexican Fiesta.......Would I eat a turtle taco???? Yes.. Would I order one?? No!

One time out in the boonies on the pac side, i was invited in for lunch by a very nice Mexican family.. They were dining on Manta Ray wings(deep fried in a disco)..THe man described chopping the tips of the wings off and sending the rest of the animal back to the ecosystem..Horrible act! Delicous lunch..

If a similar situation arose and turtle was on the menu, I would try it.

BTW, manta ray wings are widely available at the mercado negro in Ensenada..

Endangered Species Q. (or maybe political Q.)
Why did the black abalone just now make the endangered species list?....It has been virtually extinct for nearly a decade.
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