2018 Articles & Videos

We invite you to browse through these articles and videos. Some local and some worldwide, some written by SeaWatch and some reprinted and reposted from online and magazines. These articles and videos show the success of SeaWatch, the changes in the Sea of Cortez and the world's oceans.

New ROC Patrol Boat
28' and Powered by a Suzuki 175 hp Motor

Here is a picture of what your donation helped pay for in 2018. It is the new patrol boat to which SeaWatch donated $17,400.00 for a new 175 HP Suzuki motor, hydraulics and running gear. Since March of 2018 it has been operating daily with up to 6 officials from the NAVY, CONANP, PROFEPA and CONAPESCA (Mexican Fisheries) aboard depending on the type and location of the patrol. Read More...

Espiritu Santo es parte de ti - 2018
Local Grassroots Campaign

2018 was a busy year for the Espiritu Santo es parte de ti (Espiritu Santo is part of you) campaign. Projects included video production, work towards a single-use plastics ban, local school presentations, an art competition, mural painting, and an appearance on TEDx talks. All while continuing the teams efforts towards parrotfish protection in restaurants, grocery stores and the legal protection of the species. Read More...

ROC - 2018
Citizen-Driven Vigilance To Stop Illegal Fishing!

In 2017, ROC's patrol boats assisted federal fisheries authorities with the confiscation of 13 illegal fishing boats, including equipment and catch. In 2018, SeaWatch provided $20,000 to ROC for a new 175 HP Suzuki motor and a bigger patrol boat. Since April of 2018 there have been no boats caught illegally fishing at Espiritu Santo National Park. Fish populations, already on the rise in 2017, have made a dramatic comeback, especially the heavily targeted parrotfish. Read More...

It Takes a City To Save An Island

Watch this video showing the progress of SeaWatch, ROC and Espiritu Santo es parte de ti. The video shows the condition of the reefs in 2015 and the return of the fish in 2018. See the progress of both SeaWatch funded campaigns through 2018 and how your donations have made a significant difference to the recovery process. See it here...

Fang Ming - The First Vessel
Artificial Reef In Latin America

In 1999 the vessel Fang Ming was intentionally sunk on the west side of Espiritu Santo Island as a safe and clean dive site. Today, 17 years later, the wreck of the Fang Ming enjoys the protection of the Marine Park and is full of life. Fishing is forbidden on the site, with the result that fish are plentiful and approachable. On our last visit, this November, we were able to closely observe a pair of green turtles on the deck, a sea lion resting inside the wreck all kinds of moray eels and lots of Cortez angelfish big parrotfish and groupers, and schools of snappers and grunts. See the new video here and click here to read more about this successful SeaWatch project.

Espiritu Santo es parte de ti
and ROC Progress
Update August 2018

Read through these pages and watch the videos to learn of the amazing progress in the recovery of the Espiritu Santo National Park. Through the ongoing efforts of the two SeaWatch supported campaigns Espiritu Santo es parte de ti (Espiritu Santo is part of you) and "ROC" the restoration of the depleted reefs and reef fish is becoming a success. Read the Article Here...

Espiritu Santo es parte de ti
Involves the Kids

The campaign team heads to the schools to show the importance of conservation. The following video shows the important work of Espiritu Santo es parte de ti (Espiritu Santo is part of you) in community awareness. The team made presentations at La Paz schools of all educational levels Read More...

Parrotfish Recovery

Espiritu Santo es parte de ti was started 15 months ago with a goal of helping Espiritu Santo National Park's depleted fisheries recover and create a thriving reef ecosystem. Healthy reefs need parrotfish. There were almost no parrotfish 15 months ago. Amazing what happens when you stop the illegal killing of 3-5 tons of parrot fish weekly and 31 restaurants and 4 supermarkets agree to quit selling it. See it here...

Paulina Martinez and Reef Restoration

The Espiritu Santo es parte de ti campaign team interviewed Paulina Martínez. Paulina is working on her doctorate at the La Paz UABCS University. She is part of a group from the reef systems laboratory at the university who are working to restore the coral reefs at two sites (El Corralito and Swanee Rock) in Espiritu Santo National Park. Watch the video and see how divers can help this project...

Interview With the Owner of Tacos Albatros

Tacos Albatros was established in La Paz 35 years ago. The owner, Hugo Sepúlveda Puppo speaks to Espiritu Santo es parte de ti on fishing techniques and the declining fish population. He understands the importance of the commitment we must all maintain to restore and protect the Espiritu Santo National Park. Watch the video interview...

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What's New at SeaWatch:

2023 SeaWatch Newsletter

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...

SeaWatch Dream Come True

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...

SeaWatch Recovery Plan Details

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...

SeaWatch Annual Raffle

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

Unsustainable, unregulated and illegal fishing practices during the last 40 years have severely impacted the diversity and richness of the Gulf of California, once considered the “Aquarium of the World”.
This national sea, dotted with more than 800 islands, is an ecologically unique marine ecosystem, and these island coastlines are environments used by marine species to complete all or part of their life cycle Read More...

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. 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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