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.

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What's New at SeaWatch:

We are continuing our 2023 efforts to fully protect the inshore reefs in Espíritu Santo National Park through modification of its Management Plan. The draft plan will be out soon for review and it's critical we apply more pressure for better protection. 

Ever since Cabo Pulmo National Park was created 27 years ago there has not been another reef fish recovery in the Sea of Cortez. To that end, we are launching the second phase of our campaign with a multimedia public strategy modeled after the very successful effort to protect the whale sharks in the Bay of La Paz. Read On...

Since September of 2021, when our attorneys first petitioned the government to create large no take zones around Espiritu Santo National Park to facilitate reef and reef fish recovery, we have been building a dream team. A year later we have that team and a plan in place that is doing exactly that. To see the problem and solution. Click to view this short video...

This project will be the first recovery project in the Gulf of California since Cabo Pulmo, 27 years ago. It will restore the marine biodiversity of Archipielago Espíritu Santo National Park to a high level of abundance and reef recovery through modification to the park’s management plan and the deployment of policy and conservation finance strategies. Read More...

Scott Hanson donated his popular 19" bronze limited edition sculpture "Smooth Sailing" that retails between $7,700 and $9,250 depending on the gallery. Buy one or more tickets here. But hurry as only 150 raffle tickets will be sold!.

Espíritu Santo National Park
Recovery Project

Creating the Next Cabo Pulmo
Fisheries Recovery in the Sea of Cortez

Fish Traps Devastate Marine Environments

Sea Lions and Fish Nets

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