The turtles need our help!!

I have just received some information you may or may not be aware of.
Please pass this message on to any contacts you have.
 

My hope is that by making more people aware of this crisis, and by
asking them to send letters to the addresses I have provided, that we
can save the turtles from extinction. We, the self-appointed care-takers
of this planet, can't afford to let these beautiful creatures dissapear
on our watch.

Please let me know if you can help.
 

Sincerely,
Christine Pramuk
8ballmediadesign.com
 

For more information please contact:

Mary Whitlow
 3224 Bryn Mawr
 Dallas, TX 75225-7645
 phone: (214) 368-5535
 marylouisew@msn.com
 "There is information about X'cacel on the following web sites:
 http://www.tortoise.org/act.htmI , http://www.turtles.org/happen.htm &
 http://www.turtiedisaster.org
 
 

Kcacel is being sold for development to the Melia hotel chain!

Kcacel is the most important green and loggerhead nesting beach on
Mexico's Atlantic. It is located approximately 100 Km. south of Cancun,
in the tourist corridor Cancun-Tulum. It was the only protected beach in
the 120 Km. tourist corridor. Some of the protected species found in
Kcacel's 311 hectares, besides loggerhead and green sea turtles are the
boa constrictor, marsh turtle, Creaser's mud turtle, crocodile, Chit,
Hoo'loop, mangrove, and subi'n. Kcacel along with the adjoining beaches
of Aventuras-DIF and ChemuyiI are the most important green and
loggerhead nesting beaches in the state of Quintana Roo. However, all 3
of these beaches have been sold to developers by Fideicomiso Caleta de
Xeh-ha y del Caribe (FIDECARIBE). The Ecological Group of the Mayab
(GEMA) in 1994 proposed officially incorporating Kcacel into the
National System of Protected Areas (SINAP) and completed all of the
necessary requirements, their request has gone unanswered.

The Management Plan of the Tourist Corridor Cancun-Tulum (Gob. Fed.
1994a), was signed by the representatives of: conservation groups, sea
turtle biologists and representatives of local, state and federal
Mexican government. This plan includes the following phrase, "In case of
the realization of development proiects or exploitation in the zone of
X'cacel

Saturday, March 7, 1998 Xcacel (fwd)

the following risks to the integrity of the ecosystem and the species in
danger of extension that live there, such as marine turtles who depend
on these beaches for their reproduction :

a) erosion of dunes

 b) disturbance of the vegetation that controls the flow of water

c) contamination and alterations of the physical, chemical and
biological characteristics of the beaches

d) disturbance of nesting female turtles and their nests

e) disturbance caused by the artificial illumination of the beach and
adjacent areas

f) disturbance caused by noise generated by aquatic activities and

g) disturbances in the reef and its platform, potentially able to alter
the water flow". The Management Plan recommends that development should
not be allowed between the federal highway and the 60 meters isobath,
and if the property is to be sold that the conservation groups who have
promoted the protection of the sea turtles and the area are given the
right of first refusal.

Sea turtles conservation and research has been carried out over most of
the coast of Quintana Roo. However, these three beaches Wcacel, Chemuyil
and Aventuras DIF) have the highest density of nesting activities and
therefore have been the main focus of these efforts.

It is public knowledge that the Melia hotel chain of Spain purchased 45
hectares of X'cacel for 2.5 million US dollars. Since pressure has been
applied, the governor of the state declared the "Santuario de la tortuga

marina X'cacel-X'cacelito", this only provides protection to the area
from
the 60 meter isobath to100 meters up the beach. This was only a public
relations move. The governor has been quoted in the local newspapers as
saying that the construction of a tourist resort is not in conflict with
the
protection of X'cacel.

There is a list of officials to write to and demand that ALL 311
hectares
are protected:
M. EN C. JULIA CARABIAS LILO (SEMERNAP)
PERIFERICO SUR 4209 6o PISO
COL JARDINES DE LA MONTANA
MEXICO D. F. 06500
tel. (5) 6280606 , 6280607 and 6280608
FAX (5) 6280609
carabias@servidor.dgsca.unam.mx

ING. MARIO VILLANUEVA MADRID (Govemor of Quintana Roo)
CALLE 22 DE ENERO S/N 2o PISO
PALACIO DE GOBIENRO
CD. CHETUMAL 77000
MEXICO
Tel: (983) 20266 ; Fax (983) 24257

SR. ERNESTO ZEDILLO PONCE DE LEON
PRESIDENCIA DE LA REPUBLICA
RESIDENCIA PRESIDENCIAL DE LOS PINOS
LOMAS VIRREYES
MEXICO D. F.
FAX (5)548070

LIC. OSCAR ESPINOZA VILLAREAL.
SECRETARIA DE TURISMO
AV. PRESIDENTE MASARIK 178-8
COL. POLANCO, MEXICO D. F.

MELIA MANAGEMENT FOR AMERICA
MR. EVAGRIO SANCHEZ
FAX: W) 305-358.51.66
evagrio.sanchezgsolmelia.es
1000 BRICKELL AVE, SUITE 500
MIAMI, FL. 33131
USA

Melia's FAX at headquarters in Spain: 34 (9) 71 22 44 08
If you have any questions contact:
GEMA

Av. Uxmal 24 Sm. 2A
 Cancun Q. Roo
 MEXICO
 Tel (98) 84-69-44
 Fax (98) 84-9857
 reycarib@cancun.com.mx
 or