Loreto bay Marine Park, Isla Espirito Santo

Few marine areas in the world can compare with the biological importance and richness found in the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). Loreto Bay and Isla Espíritu Santo rank among the highest in the region in biological and ecological value. Evolutionary processes have shaped the unique ecology of the Sea of Cortez, especially that of offshore islands like Isla Espíritu Santo, which is home to a wealth of species found  nowhere else in the world.

Pearl diving was once the chief economic activity on the Baja peninsula in the Gulf of California. The Pericue Indians had been collecting the gems for centuries when the Spaniards arrived.

Loreto Bay Marine Park © Will Heyman/TNC

Ecological Importance
With islands, wetlands, lagoons, mangroves, and beds of seagrass, the marine areas of Loreto Bay and Isla Espíritu Santo are home to abundant wildlife on both land and sea. Thirty-eight plant and animal species are found nowhere else but within these two reserves. The archipelago of Espíritu Santo harbors some 1,200 species, while the five-island chain of Loreto Bay is home to 29 marine mammal species—the most in all of Mexico. Fifteen species of whale, 17 species of marine birds, and five species of turtles frequent the area, including the endangered black sea turtle that feeds in the seagrass beds of Loreto Bay.

Threats
The location of Isla Espíritu Santo and Loreto Bay—at the entrance to the Sea of Cortez and a mere 25 kilometers from the mainland—creates a situation vulnerable to human impact. Domestic and foreign industrial fishing has taken a huge toll on both reserves. The common practice of dragging shrimp and fishing nets across the ocean floor alters these important ecosystems which support countless marine species. Uncontrolled harvesting of shrimp and fish also results in the capture of sea turtles, marine mammals, and spawning fish.
The sensitive areas of Loreto Bay and Isla Espíritu Santo have been altered by rapid coastal development and unchecked tourism. The influx of people to this historically sparsely populated area has resulted in the introduction of invasive species to the area. Native wildlife have been unable to adapt to the onslaught of goats, pigs, dogs, rats, mice, cats, rabbits, burros, and innumerable invasive insect and plant species that are now found in the region.
A Strategy of Success
Isla Espíritu Santo is one of the most visited areas within the Sea of Cortez. Before Parks in Peril (PiP), however, the reserve lacked a conservation plan and was increasingly threatened with development. Loreto Bay was equally threatened and faced pressures from development and invasive species, as well as uncontrolled fishing and other resource exploitation. When PiP began, the Mexican government had recently officially protected these areas, yet without the necessary financial resources for conservation. PiP was able to provide the areas with the funds to immediately implement resource management activities. PiP also provided adequate infrastructure and staff for the preserves, which had been previously absent. Both parks are now able to fund conservation activities by collecting park entrance and camping fees.
Fundamental conservation activities such as patrolling, monitoring, tourism management, and environmental education were established in both reserves. In Isla Espíritu Santo, the number of tourists and researchers that work in the area without permission has been reduced. In Loreto Bay, basic technologies such as radio communications, GIS, and computers as well as vehicles and boats were provided.
In Isla Espíritu Santo, a Community Development Program has been established to promote pilot sustainable resource use projects and an environmental education program is being incorporated into the formal education system’s textbooks.
In Loreto Bay, monitoring projects led to the closing of two public beaches and within five years, tourism impacts were reduced by 90 percent at all of the beaches. An environmental educator was also hired to visit local schools and had reached almost 2,000 students by the end of PiP funding.
PiP began strengthening the newly-formed partner organizations of Grupo Ecologista Antares (GEA) in Loreto Bay, and Niparaja and ISLA in Isla Espíritu Santo, all of which were capable of long-term management upon site consolidation. Both reserves have become models for conservation endeavors throughout the Sea of Cortez

Loreto Bay, Selected agencies that will start the tourist promotion campaign

LORETO, BCS- selected agencies which shall be responsible for launching the tourist promotion and PR for this destination strategy which the Council promotion Mexico tourist (CPTM), the Government of the State of Baja California Sur, developers, hotels and other providers go near $ 100 million campaign.
At this meeting, the following persons were involved: Miguel Poplawsky, Coordinator of the CPTM; media James Turkey, Secretary of State Tourism; Mario Cortés, Villa Group project director; Pascal Pellegrino, President of the Association of hotels; Veronica Ruiz, Director of the State Tourism; trust Adrián González, representative HOMEX and Villas Mexico; Scout Serven Hotel La Mission, among others.
Pascal Pellegrino, representative of the hospitality industry, felt the results of this meeting are key to the success of this campaign will be directed to the West coast of the United States and some niches in the domestic market, with the hopes of attracting tourism in this region.

Loreto Bay,Homex Group takes control of hotel and Golf course

LORETO, BCS- Homex, business group took over control of the Hotel and Golf course at the Loreto Bay project property that were, and are located in the area of Nopoló, thus it unveiled the regional delegate of the National Fund of development to tourism (FONATUR), in this city Alejandro Pérez Arellano Martínez.
Clarified that after Homex has taken full control of both facilities, that it will also be responsible for all operations and strategies that should be deployed to offer national and international tourist market.
FONATUR in Loreto, regional delegate explained that both facilities of are in perfect condition, which guarantees this developer group can begin work as soon as possible on the tourist revival of this zone.

Loreto, mission. Remodeling walls of Loreto mission

LORETO, BCS-with the charitable support of loretana citizenship, it is carrying out a renovation of walls in the Mission of our Lady of Loreto, to which materials and appropriate techniques are used.
Father Israel Carrera Prado,explained these works will be finished completely in the next few days and that in the meantime some masses will be held in the courtyard of the parish.
Commented that this remodelling was very necessary, because at various points in the walls already showed a significant decline, in this way, and thanks to the volunteer of hundreds of loretanos support,
On the other hand clarified that a construction company in this city it has been doing Office work and this has provided the necessary support, which is fundamental.

Tourism: Mexico signs agreement with Beijing seeking to abtain Chinese tourists

Mexico City, which seeks to overcome the goal of 24 million tourists a year, signed an
agreement with China whereby the two countries undertake to make investments to
promote bilateral flow of visitors, reported on Monday a source of the Mexican Government.
Agreement - signed last weekend in Shanghai - includes facilities for investment in tourism infrastructure and the development of the information technologies in areas related to tourism,
said a statement from the Secretary of tourism.
"China is a very interesting potential market because each year more than 49 million Chinese tourists are leaving abroad.

Loreto/Comondu Geoduck Fishery

Constitution, BCS-  Florencio Aguilar Liera / Fish Comissioner authorized the harvest of 1000 Geoducks per boat, Comondú.
This important meeting was also the sub-delegation of fisheries, Marco Antonio Muratalla Olivas, who mentioned that after receiving the statement of the CONAPESCA, responsible fisheries communicated estate fee amounts, as well as the constraints set out in the Fisheries Act that each unit must meet.
Meanwhile, the director of the CRIP La Paz Pedro Sierra Rodríguez, mentioned the generous clam fishery takes place within the guidelines of a management plan, which includes a research programme and a programme of observers on board, which includes filling blogs capture 100% of the vessels requesting fisheries to redouble efforts for correct filling of blogs capture.
SAGARPA in BCS. undertook to manage the corresponding authorities requested. with signed signatures Comondú fisheries where requested the establishment of official Mexican standards and periods of closure resources Geoduck Clam, as well as the  catarina clam fisheries management plans.

Loreto, Sea cucumber fishery

LORETO, BCS-the fishing and marketing of the sea in the municipality of Loreto cucumber gradually it has developed into a sustainable activity.
This is thanks to the collaboration that currently exists between the fishermen and the authorities responsible for protecting and preserving our natural resources.
The above was given to know from the director of National Park Everardo Mariano Meléndez, Loreto Bay in last talk.
Where highlights fishermen both of the federal territory of Ligui as Loreto, they have taken the initiative, and are participating in the monitoring of this species and their care, in order to obtain better results in their work.
It is worth mentioning that in past months together, Loreto Bay National Park staff and fishermen carried out work of dispersal of larvae of sea cucumbers in the Park.
Through a great deal of work is carried out the monitoring of the different areas of the Park to know which is the distribution of this species in particular.
Since via the protection, conservation and preservation of the species fishermen know will gain greater benefits, since this resource generates important economic shelter during its production.