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Investment in Puerto Peñasco
in 2006 was among the highest for any tourist destination in Mexico, second only to Acapulco. State and national projects, like
the Escalera Nautica, a system of marinas throughout the gulf, and the Santa Clara – Kino Coastal Highway
have inspired large-scale tourism development in the region. Social and
environmental impacts from this type of development tend to be large, and
Peñasco is no exception.
CEDO promotes an alternative
model of tourism development: one which directly benefits the community and minimizes
impacts to the environment. We envision a tourism in which visitors fully
experience and learn about the region’s culture and ecosystems. We work with
local, state and national governments, and with the local community to plan
development. With sound planning and governance we can reduce the negative
impacts of tourism while taking full advantage of its benefits.
Check
out our NaturArte Ecotourism Corridor page for more information on our ecotourism
projects and activities.
Monitoring
Tourism Development in Puerto Peñasco
In 2006, ALCOSTA, an alliance of organizations in
support of sustainable development in northeast Mexico, monitored development in
areas where marinas have been proposed as part of the Escalera Nautica project.
This federal project aims to increase tourism by creating a series of tourist
marinas throughout the Gulf of California,
leaving behind important environmental and social issues. CEDO, as a member of
ALCOSTA, tracked tourist development in Puerto Peñasco. The information we have
obtained has had a regional impact, and again highlights the rapid level of growth
in Peñasco. Find out what we have learned so far, here.
Results:
- Identify tourism projects
with high levels of impact on essential ecosystems.
- Understand tourism trends in
the municipality
of Puerto Peñasco.
- ALCOSTA has outlined environmental
organizations’ vision for sustainable tourism in the Gulf
of California. Read the vision statement here.
Choose Wisely: Healthy and Harmful Development Projects
In Puerto Peñasco there are many projects and
associated activities which involve the use/exploitation of essential
ecosystems. Here we highlight projects notable for their significant positive
or negative impacts. .
Responsible
Projects and Activities
Estero
Oysterfarms
There are several oyster producing cooperatives in
Estero Morúa, Estero La Cinita, Bahia Adair and Bahia San Jorge. Oysterfarming
has very little impact on the wetlands, as oysters are natural filters. The
simple infrastructure required for growing oysters does not modify the current
or sediment patterns.
“El Barco” Restaurant
The oyster producing cooperative, ‘Unica de Mujeres’
(literally, “the only women’s coop”, and it’s true) runs this restaurant on the
shores of Estero Morúa. The cooperative worked with CEDO to create a restaurant
and an educational mural on its walls. The mural, designed and painted by
students at the University
of Arizona, fits with the
natural beauty of the wetland and educates visitors about its diverse species
and habitats.
Kayaks
“Noemí”
Aquamar, an oyster producing cooperative, about a
mile from El Barco, began this kayak tour business, also in collaboration with
CEDO. There are no environmental impacts from kayaking if done responsibly.
This ecotourism business has adopted the social and environmental priniciples of NaturArte.
Irresponsible Projects
Marina Sandy Beach *
Involves the destruction of
the rocky reef at Sandy Beach and of Estero La Cholla.
The Pointe *
Involves the destruction of
a breeding colony of a protected species of bird, the Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) in Estero Morúa.
Mayan Palace
Modifies the currents and
ecological functions of Estero La Pinta.
Tessoro
Impacts a colony of a
protected species of bird, the Least Tern, (Sternula
antillarum) in Estero Morúa.
Villa Cortés
Modifies Estero Morúa.
* A legal
case is underway with regard to these developments (see Legal Protection of Habitats).
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