Campaign manager: Adriana Ochoa Valle
Partner: CONAP (Mexico’s National Council of Protected Areas)

The Isla San Pedro Martir Island Biosphere Reserve is a small island located in the Gulf of Californina. It is known for its wealth of marine and terrestrial biodiversity and, thus, was designated a protected area in 2002 in order to preserve the island and its adjacent waters. The Reserve covers a total of 302 square kilometers with a no-take zone of 11 square kilometers and a regulated fishing zone of 291 square kilometers. This large area protects a plethora of important species, including coral forests, eight marine bird species, one of the largest sea lion reproductive colonies in the Gulf of California and sperm whale. 

Adriana Ochoa Valle of CONAP has launched a Rare Pride campaign in order to protect the reserve from unsustainable fishing practices which threaten the Reserve. She and her team have been building awareness among fishers of the economic and environmental benefits of using sustainable fishing practices such as no-take zones.

With the Black Sea Turtle as its mascot, Ochoa’s campaign is promoting the importance and threats facing the health of the Reserve through radio ads, posters, murals and events throughout the area.  She is also working to ensure that fishers understand the rules and regulations around sustainable fishing within the Reserve and working with other local organizations to train local fishers in the monitoring of the no-take zones, getting them directly involved in local fisheries management. 

To further explore this campaign, please visit our conservation community at RarePlanet.org