A group of photos circulated recently by concerned Mexican citizens shows what appears to be the illegal commercial collection of sea turtle eggs by a group of local workers.

One commenter identified the location as Bahia Vallarta, on Mexico's Pacific Ocean coast in the state of Jalisco. The vegetation shown in the photos would support that opinion. No date was given, although the image quality and dress of the people shown would indicate that the photos were taken recently.

One outraged comment received with these photos said in Spanish, "So, where is Profepa?"

This referred to the absence of Profepa, the Mexican federal agency responsible for the enforcement of laws protecting threatened and endangered species.

However, these photos were probably taken at Ostional, Costa Rica, as part of a harvest allowed during the first 36 hours of each Olive Ridley egg laying session, which lasts about a week. This is claimed by biologists to be justified because: 1. There are so many turtles on the beach that many of the first-laid eggs are destoyed anyway. 2. The local people are supposed to guard the beach and protect that eggs that are left. Information provided by Hoax-slayer.com and other sources.