The
Sea of Cortez Foundation
By David Simmonds, President
and Publisher of The Mexico File newsletter.
The Sea of Cortez
is one of the most treasured marine oases on
the planet, a breeding ground for the Pacific
Ocean. More than 900 species of fish and marine
mammals inhabit the Sea, but the days ahead
for many of these species are numbered. Just
as the tropical rainforests are being depleted
by shortsighted economic policies linked with
human overpopulation, greed, lawlessness and
poverty, the Sea of Cortez is being devastated...piece
by piece, year by year...at a rate difficult
to comprehend.
There is still time
to save the marlin, yellowfin tuna, grouper,
turtles, shrimp, sardines, bay scallops, sea
cucumbers, sharks, yellowtail, the vaquita and
the totoaba...all of which are endangered in
this body of water, but which would have a chance
to thrive with long range social and economic
policy changes. Dolphins, sea lions, and manta
rays, all of which are now threatened, can continue
to live in the Sea.
Imagine an international
preserve where trawlers, gill nets, and long-liners
are outlawed, where the native population can
continue to sustain itself in a way which preserves
dignity and community, where visitors from both
sides of the border can come to enjoy the abundance
and beauty of a natural jewel. Making this dream
come true is the goal of The Sea of Cortez Foundation.
The Sea of Cortez
Foundation is the self-appointed watchdog of
the Mexican government’s proposed "Nautical
Ladder," a plan designed by Mexico’s
National Tourism Fund (FONATUR) to build 22
marina-tourist sites along the Baja California
Peninsula and Mexican mainland adjacent to the
Sea of Cortez. This will have a major impact
on the natural beauty and environmental integrity
of the Sea of Cortez. We want to make sure that
this is done right. We want the Sea to last
– to be enjoyed by our children and by
future generations.
The Foundation envisions
the Sea of Cortez and the Baja peninsula as
perfectly suited for eco-tourism and sportsfishing,
recognizing the necessity of the local people
to thrive economically and ensure their survival.
We have undertaken to educate the people of
Baja in ways in which they can be the providers
of eco-tours and preserve the environment at
the same time.
If you would
like to help or become a member, please log
on the web at:
www.seaofcortez.kintera.org
or www.seaofcortezfoundation.org
You can contact Dave Simmonds at (858) 456-4030.
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