Conservation

Via the research trips and the “training-while-doing” work, it will  provide, for the first time, cetacean presence data reports of the islands. We will then produce maps of temporal and spatial zoning plans for cetacean management and conservation on the archipelago. By producing spatial and temporal zoning recomendations for the government, some areas of the Marías can remain protected and off-limits forever, especially pristine habitat used by sensitive species (e.g. beaked whales). Negative impacts from anthropogenic activities on cetaceans will be avoided. If we do not carry out this study now, further tourism development will begin with no baseline information on cetacean presence, which means critical cetacean habitat may be irrevocably changed forever. By providing the government with real data we can directly help in conserving and protecting important areas of the archipelago, ensuring long-term conservation and protection of local cetaceans.