Five species of sea turtle are known to inhabit the coastal waters of Mexico.
Sea turtles are an important part of the cultural history of northwestern Mexico.
In addition to the food, medicinal uses and products provided to an individual fisher s household, there were economic benefits associated with the sale of turtle meat to the market. As populations began to decline, size limits and closed seasons were enacted. The legislation states that the Mexican Federal Government strictly prohibits the pursuit, capture, and extraction of any species of sea turtle on any beaches or in any federal waters. Compliance is at a minimum within the community primarily due to the weakness of enforcement measures and the strong traditional use of turtles during holidays and special events. Additionally, incidental capture of sea turtles continues to occur in gillnets of local fishers, both in and outside the bay.