The power of turtles: Entangled care in Akumal Bay, Mexico

Abstract

Sea turtles play a significant role in the ecosystem in Akumal Bay, Mexico. Often seen as charismatic, they play an integral part in balancing the preservation of the local ecology and maintaining the town's tourism economy. Tensions between conservation and commercialization are prevalent in Akumal. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in the region, this article argues that the emotional appeal of turtles serves as a powerful tool for both biologists and the tourism industry, emphasizing that caring for these creatures is not simply an altruistic endeavour but an approach that helps to promote ecological integrity and stabilize economic interests. One example highlights how marine biologists leverage sea turtles' popularity to advocate for turtle and seagrass protection. The second example focuses on the tension between maintaining clean, algae-free beaches for tourists and preserving the natural environment for turtles. Here, hoteliers conveniently use ‘caring for turtles’ as an explanation for why their beaches are not pristine.