MEXICO, Isla Natividad, Baja California - June 2011
Two cabins for ecotourists, surfers, and scuba divers, in exchange for the protection of a 1,120 acre area, including three islets, for a minimum duration of 10 years.
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The island of Natividad is inhabited by 400 people, most of whom are part of the local fishing cooperative (Buzos y Pescadores de Baja California). Abalone and lobster are their main fishing products. The island and five kilometers of surrounding waters are also part of El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, and the community is increasingly working to maintain the natural balance that support their resources, with programs such as recycling, keeping the island and the waters free of pollutants, and obtaining green certification for their products. The island is about 4.2 miles long by 1.4 miles wide, and holds more than 85 percent (30,000 nests) of the world's population of the black-vented shearwater, a species endemic to the western coast of Mexico and southern California. The island also provides nesting grounds for gulls, cormorants, and pelicans; the beaches are breeding grounds for elephant seals, sea lions and the common seal. The community wishes to protect the northern portion of the island and three nearby islets by prohibiting access of any kind, except in emergencies. Federal Natural Protected Area managers will assist with protocols, regulations and enforcement, and will monitor the agreement. The cooperative is seeking new sustainable economic alternatives, and have been able to attract recent interest from surfers, scuba divers, and ecotourists. To promote and improve their services they are in need of better accommodations for their guests; Seacology is funding the construction of two cabins to host visitors to the island. The benefits from the use and rental of the cabin will go toward improvements in the community and the conservation of the island.
