Eco-Bahía Foundation expands sea turtle conservation efforts in the Dominican Republic

Samaná.- On the northeastern shores of the Dominican Republic, the Eco-Bahía Foundation has intensified efforts to protect endangered sea turtles, ensuring the safe hatching of 1,758 baby turtles from 15 nests in 2024. These conservation actions, carried out in Samaná and other eastern coastal areas, are vital as four of the planet’s seven sea turtle species—many of which pass through Caribbean waters—are currently endangered.

The Foundation’s protocol involves assisting nesting females, relocating vulnerable eggs, monitoring nests, and safely releasing hatchlings into the sea. Originally launched in Mexico in 1999 and expanded to the Dominican Republic in 2022, the program has demonstrated that conservation and tourism can successfully coexist, particularly on beaches near tourist resorts.

Beyond protecting nests, the Foundation promotes environmental education and citizen participation. In 2024, it conducted outreach in schools, engaged tourists and hotel staff, and encouraged biodiversity documentation through platforms like iNaturalist. While most of its work remains in Mexico—where over 100,000 hatchlings were protected—the growing impact in the Dominican Republic signals a long-term commitment to safeguarding the region’s marine life.