Authorities and environmentalists say the number of sea turtles arriving on Nicaragua's Pacific coast is dropping sharply this year, something they say could be an effect of climate change.

Environment authorities say 2,000 turtles arrived on the coast of Rivas state in July and August. They say that in the same two-month period last year 21,350 turtles made their way to that coast.

Rivas environment delegate Mario Rodriguez said Thursday that authorities and volunteers had been expecting to welcome 5,000 turtles Monday but only 92 reached the beach.

He says it is the sharpest drop in sea turtles recorded by authorities in 10 years.

Experts say the drop could be due to climate change, which is affecting the ocean's temperature and tides.

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