A place where not only the beauty of the ocean is celebrated, but also the life it shelters. Isla Fuerte, a hidden paradise in the Colombian Caribbean, is one of those magical places. And in the heart of this island, a project is changing the destiny of sea turtles, leaving an indelible mark on the local community.
A place where not only the beauty of the ocean is celebrated, but also the life it shelters. Isla Fuerte, a hidden paradise in the Colombian Caribbean, is one of those magical places. And in the heart of this island, a project is changing the destiny of sea turtles, leaving an indelible mark on the local community.
The importance of acting, today.
The “Nidos de Vida” project, created together with the Fundación Tortugas del Mar, has marked a before and after on Isla Fuerte. Here, not only are sea turtles protected, but the community has understood the value of these endangered species. Each fisherman and each neighbor has joined the effort to protect them, facing threats such as illegal hunting and the destruction of their habitat. And the mission is clear: raise awareness, learn more about these marine wonders and return them to their natural home, the ocean.
In Nests of Life, The agreement is simple but transformative: more and more fishermen join the project, to whom we offer alternative food (as part of their basic pantry) in exchange for delivering the turtles alive and unharmed. When they arrive, we collect crucial information together with the Sea Turtle Foundation to continue the investigation, and then we celebrated its release with the community, tourists and everyone involved. An act of love towards marine life, which gives us so much on the island.
The transformative power of Isla Fuerte.
Despite being a critically endangered species, sea turtles have found a refuge of hope on Fuerte Island. Our island has become a key place for their conservation, thanks to the richness of its reefs and seagrass beds, which offer food and shelter during a key life stage: their growth and shelter before entering the reproductive stage. On Fuerte Island we have been lucky enough to see species such as the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), the Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea, the first report of this species in the Colombian Caribbean) and the Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta). Each release is a victory and, sincerely, we feel privileged to be able to be part of this change.
The future of these turtles is intertwined with that of the Isla Fuerte community. Here, we are all part of the change. Every turtle that returns to the ocean is a reminder that love for the land and the sea can transform lives. And the joint and coordinated work that La Playita, Fundación Tortugas del Mar, the fishermen and the entire community are doing is bearing fruit. In just a year and a half, more than 120 turtles have returned home. And we're going for more!
Here, every action counts, and every turtle that returns to the sea is an example of the positive impact that can be achieved when the community and tourism come together with a single purpose: conservation.
From La Playita, we are lucky to be active part of this change. We know that each release It is a story of hope, and we want to continue being part of it.
Throughout this process, the monitoring, handling and release of the turtles is carried out under strict international protocols, guaranteeing their well-being and the effectiveness of the project.
