The Triggering Event That Convinced Mexico
to Declare the Revillagigedo Islands a
National Protected Area and Biosphere
This video, made in early 1994, describes the killing of the giant Pacific Manta Rays at San Benedicto Island in the Revillgigedo Island group. Footage from this film made by Sea Watch went world wide and was the catalyst Pronatura used to get President Gotari in 1994 to declare the Revillagigedos a biosphere reserve and apply a $10,000 fine for killing a Giant Manta.
This "St Valentines Day Massacre" article in Ocean Realm magazine is an example of articles that were published in several magazines at that time.
The 1994 decree did not stop the illegal fishing. In 2002 SeaWatch went back with Santiago Creel the then head of Gobernación and in charge of the Revillagigedo Islands to show him what was happening.
The article "Revillagigedo Islands: Mexico Slams Door on Long Range Fishing Trips" on the mexfish.com website was the result of that trip and the start of the real vigilance.
SeaWatch Newsletters
What's New at SeaWatch:
Creating the Next Cabo Pulmo
Fisheries Recovery in the Sea of Cortez
Where there are fish of any commercial value, fishing interests will find a way to take them.
In 2019 and 2020 with the legalization of fish traps in the Espiritu Santo National Park (banned in most
other places 30 years ago) it became clear that where there are fish, fishing interests will find a way to
take them. While it is critically important to ban traps Read More...
SeaWatch Annual Raffle
Scott Hanson donated his popular 19" bronze limited edition sculpture "Smooth Sailing" to SeaWatch. Tickets were $50 for one ticket or five tickets for $200. Only 150 ticketswere sold. The drawing was held when the 150 tickets were sold or on February 28, 2022.
2021 SeaWatch Newsletter
Protect parrotfish, eliminate traps, nets and create a 1 km "NO TAKE" zone around Espiritu Santo national Park. In 2021, we hired environmental attorney Camilo Thompson (who lead the effort in getting parrotfish protected on the Caribbean side of Mexico) to team up with “Espiritu Santo is Parte de ti” to adopt the following campaign goal for Espíritu Santo and to file all petitions and proposals before deadlines Read More...
Fish Traps Devastate Marine Environments
Watch this video to see the evidence of the devastation caused by fish traps on reefs and reef fish over time. These traps are legal in Mexico and tragically in Espiritu Santo National Park. To learn more about fish traps and see the devastation they cause Click Here...
Sea Lions and Fish Nets
This video shows the entanglement of sea lions in fish nets and fishing gear in the Sea of Cortez. "Is this what we want in the Espiritu Santo National Park?"
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Consume Responsibly
Abstain from eating all fish that protect the health of the reefs including parrotfish and surgeon fish
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Be our "Eyes on the Water" take photos, record positions, and send reports to the authorities
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