DOS MARES BIOSPHERE RESERVE
What is the Dos Mares Biosphere Reserve?
In Mexico, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are classified into various categories, each offering different levels of protection. Among these, National Parks are the most strictly regulated, prohibiting all extractive activities. In contrast, Biosphere Reserves (BRs) permit regulated extractive activities by local communities, balancing conservation with sustainable resource use. The Dos Mares Biosphere Reserve is a proposed large-scale and highly protected MPA surrounding the state of Baja California Sur including both the Sea of Cortez and the Southern Pacific Ocean. In Baja California Sur, there is no local fishing industry; instead, fishing vessels from other states such as Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Baja California dominate the waters, often depleting local resources. Establishing a Biosphere Reserve in the region would restrict access to these external vessels, providing much-needed support to artisanal fishers in Baja California Sur who have faced decades of unequal competition.
The reserve would establish a 192,000 km2 large-scale MPA. The no-take zone fully protects 88,000 km2 from fishing and other extractive activities, while artisanal fishing and recreational activities such as sports fishing, diving and wildlife observation are allowed within a 104,000 km2 buffer zone along the coast.
Why is it necessary?
This region – which includes the Gulf of California and the Baja South Pacific Ocean– is the most marine biodiverse area of Mexico, it is the only place in the world that has a whale area with nine different species of whales. The California Current that flows every year in November from the Arctic brings to the Dos Mares region waters full of nutrients that are followed by big shoals of sardines and therefore by whales, marlins, mobulas, mahi-mahi, jacks, tunas, sharks, dolphins and also by fish that are caught by the artisanal and sport fishers and bring business to tourism operators.
Dos Mares is a project proposed by Depesca AC, an association composed of artisanal fishermen, sports fishermen, aquaculturists, and providers of nautical tourism services in Baja California Sur. With the support of Beta Diversidad, Orgcas and Fomares
The proposed polygon area faces three main threats, and a Biosphere Reserve is the most effective tool to counteract these threats:
1. Industrial Fishing
In the Baja South Pacific and the Sea of Cortez, the arrival of fishing vessels from various regions has led to the overexploitation of marine life. Industrial fishing techniques have already depleted many local resources, creating unfair competition for coastal fishermen. This has resulted in a drastic decline in marine species, impacting both commercial species and overall biodiversity. Industrial fleets from neighboring states fish in Baja California Sur (BCS) coasts and affect the locals´ livelihood. It would take all the communities from Los Cabos to Loreto an entire year to fish what one of the industrial boats extracts in one night. Even more, artisan’s catch has better economic value.
2. Deep Sea Mining
Underwater mining poses a huge threat to marine ecosystems, and the Mexican seas are no exception. In particular, in the Gulf of Ulloa (Southern Californian Pacific), where the mining project "Don Diego" is proposed, which would extract phosphates from the underwater subsurface very close to the coasts of Baja California Sur. The decree of a Biosphere Reserve is the only legal instrument in Mexican law that bans this type of activity while still allowing artisanal fishers to continue with their activities.
3. Unregulated Tourism
Unregulated tourism is already becoming a significant threat due to the lack of limits regarding the number of tourism companies competing with coastal fishermen. These companies have the financial resources to acquire higher-quality vessels, comply with management plans, and attract a broader clientele.
