Sea Turtle Conservation
This a story of a long friendship between the sea turtle and the Seri Indians. This indigenous seafaring community have long been stewards to a unique array of marine and coastal biodiversity of the Gulf of California in northern Mexico. The uncommon bond between the Seri/Comcáac Indians and the sea turtle stems from thousand of years of cohabitation in the extraordinarily rich marine environment.
In this documentary, the Seri elders share their songs, beliefs and practices to protect the sea turtles in their region. Beginning with an awareness that their traditional lifestyle and a healthy environment are inseparable, the youth combine their traditional teachings and modern science to manage the first sea turtle conservation program in the region. The Grupo Tortuguero Comcáac sea turtle conservation initiative is part of the marine component of an autonomous and collaborative conservation and natural resource management program managed by the Seri/Comcáac Nation.
Canciones de Sobre vivencia; los Comcáac y la Protección
de la Tortuga Marina en el Golfo de California
Esta historia es de una amistad muy larga entre la caguama y un pueblo Indígena, los Comcáac. Desde tiempos antiguos, esta comunidad navegante han protegido a la naturaleza y biodiversidad de la costa y el mar del Golfo de California en el norte de México. El enlace fuerte entre los Comcáac y la caguama se radica en miles de años de cohabitación en un ambiente marina de riqueza extraordinaria. En este documentario, los ancianos Comcáac comparten sus canciones, creyencias y prácticas para proteger a las tortugas marinas en su territorio. Comenzando con el entendimiento que su vida tradicional y un ambiente saludable son inseparables, los jóvenes Comcáac usan su conocimiento tradicional y la ciencia moderna para dirigir el primer programa de protección de la caguama en la región. El Grupo Tortuguero Comcáac es parte del programa de manejo comunitaria autónomo y colaborativa de la protección de recursos naturales, dirigida por la Nación Comcáac.
Para información vea environment.nau.edu TEL: 662 -2250 3750 o MayraEstrella_736@hotmail.com
Songs of Survival:
The Seri Indians and Sea Turtle Protection in the Sea of Cortes
Netting a turtle that will be measured and tagged and then released
Local Seri measuring sea turtles for conservation research
Click for larger image: Drawing of seat turtle migration patterns in the Gulf of California. Drawing by Seri youth and Sasha Redford ....photo: Sasha Redford
For more information in the US see environment.nau.edu or call 928 5237874. In Mexico, see contact information below. Songs of Survival: the Seri Indians and Sea Turtle Protection in the Sea of Cortes
Para información vea environment.nau.edu TEL: 662 -2250 3750 o MayraEstrella_736@hotmail.com
Sea Turtle Conservation- Grupo Tortuguero Comcaac -the Seri Sea Turtle Conservation Team (Grupo Tortuguero Comcáac) works to protect the sea turtle and its habitat within the Seri territory of the central region of the Gulf of California. The team began in 2000, joining the efforts of other sea turtle conservation researchers and community groups working in the Gulf of California. Now in their fifth year, the team has been recognized for the positive impact they are making to protect sea turtles in their territory. Through their efforts they have shown the unique and important role of the rich sea grass beds in their marine territory to provide forage and habitat for young sea turtles. This year the team received the Ocean Revolutions’ Native Oceans Award.
Songs of Survival; The Seri Indians and Sea Turtle Protection in the Sea of Cortes a video documentary tells the story of a long friendship between the sea turtle and the seafaring Seri. Elders share their songs, beliefs and practices to protect the sea turtles.
The Seri Comcaac Indians
Amalia Astorga displays one of her drawings some of which are for the navigational song program.
Fin with ID tag Photo: Jose Luis Morales
