Olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) exhibit a reproductive behavior that begins with courtship and mating at sea—essential stages for the species' reproductive success. During this process, males actively search for females and grasp their carapace using the elongated claws on their front flippers, enabling sperm transfer through internal fertilization. Females can then store sperm for weeks or even months, using it to fertilize multiple clutches of eggs throughout the nesting season.
This behavior was documented in July at San José Canyon, on Guatemala's Pacific coast, a period that coincides with the onset of the species' breeding and nesting season in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. The observation captures a critical stage in the life cycle of Lepidochelys olivacea and highlights the importance of these waters as habitat for essential biological processes.
The sighting underscores the significance of the Sipacate–San José Canyon Marine Ecosystem, internationally recognized as an Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Area (EBSA). These areas support fundamental ecological processes and provide essential habitat for species of conservation importance, reinforcing the need to strengthen their protection and scientific monitoring to safeguard the marine biodiversity of Guatemala's Pacific coast.
This record also reflects the collaborative work of WCS Guatemala, CEMA-USAC, and Semillas del Océano, organizations dedicated to the monitoring, research, and conservation of sea turtles and the country's marine ecosystems.
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