EcoWatch
GEA
The "Wonderful World
of Whales" Program
"We have been following
whales since 1982," states Fernando Arcas,
Executive Director of GEA. We did it for fun in
those early years, taking some photos and videos
for family enjoyment."
When GEA was created in 1995, Fernando,
along with visiting researchers and GEA volunteers
started a program for whale identification, specifically
the Blue Whales, that visit Loreto each year during
the months of January, February and March. It
was discovered that these giants are individuals,
easily identifiable and possessing very specific
pigmentation and markings. The other whales that
visit the Loreto region each year which include
Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Sperm Whales, Pilot
Whales, Orcas and Bottlenose Dolphins are more
similar among individuals making their identification
difficult.
During February and March, Fernando
and the GEA volunteers take students to see the
whales as part of GEA's youth education programs.
GEA also engages in eco-tourism for locals and
visitors to promote knowledge and love for the
protection of these incredible creatures.
The funds raised through GEA's "Wonderful
World ofWhales" Program and other eco-tourism
programs are used to support GEA's numerous conservation
and educational programs. At GEA's Visitors Center,
visitors can enjoy lectures and videos and learn
more about Loreto's magnificent cetaceans and
the Sea of Cortez’ abundant marine life.
During whale watching trips, visitors will learn
about the natural history of the whales and often
become part of the program which includes photo
identification and the study of their behavioral
patterns.
Reservations for whale watching
with GEA in Loreto during February and March can
be made by calling the GEA Visitor’s Center
in Loreto at 011-52 (613) 135-0086, or by emailing
Fernando Arcas at
antaresgea@prodigy.net.mx.
If you need assistance with hotel accommodations,
airport transfers and rental cars while in Loreto,
GEA is pleased to recommend Rosa Campos - rosacampos01@hotmail.com
| The
10th Annual Meeting of the Grupo Tortuguero
will be held in Loreto, January 20-27, 2008,
in conjunction with the annual International
Sea Turtle Symposium. This meeting will be
the most important meeting in the history
of Grupo Tortuguero and a landmark event for
the community of Loreto. The combined meeting
will join together the world's foremost authorities
on sea turtle biology and conservation with
Baja California's community conservation leaders
in what will be an incredible opportunity
for sharing, learning and planning the next
decade of turtle-saving on the peninsula.
The theme of the 2008 conference is "Native
Oceans" and will celebrate and bring
together the world's sea turtle cultures,
such as the Seri Indians (Comcaac) of Sonora. |
Click here to
download a Pdf of this article Featured in Baja
Life Magazine.
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