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Podcasts Take Two
Mexico moves to protect ecosystem off the coast of Baja California
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Dec 12, 2016
Listen 6:41
Mexico moves to protect ecosystem off the coast of Baja California
Development and overfishing have threatened the pristine area for years now.
The vaquita is a type of porpoise found only in the Gulf of California off Baja, Mexico.
The vaquita is a type of porpoise found only in the Gulf of California off Baja, Mexico. The conservation zone is on the Pacific side.
(
Paula Olsen/NOAA
)

Development and overfishing have threatened the pristine area for years now.

There's a group of beautiful, pristine islands just off the coast of Baja California. Conservationists love them because of how ecologically diverse they are and surfers love them for their waves, but for decades now they've been threatened by overfishing and development.

Last week, Mexico recognized their importance by moving to protect them, creating a 2.7 million acre reserve.

Serge Dedina is the executive director of Wild Coast, an international conservation organization, which was involved in establishing the reserve. He spoke with Sanden Totten about the process behind the move and what it means for the ecological diversity of the area.

To listen to the full interview, click on the blue media player above.