Mexico Creates Gigantic Marine Park To Protect Giant Rays, Whales And Turtles

If Blue Planet has taught us anything it's that sea creatures are amazing and need protecting. In this respect, Mexico looks to to be ahead of the game.

The country's government has created the largest ocean reserve in North America in the Pacific Ocean around the Revillagigedo Archipelago, a series of islands known for their abundant ocean wildlife.

On Saturday, Mexico President's Enrique Pena said the degree "reaffirms its commitment to the conservation of Mexico's heritage and the world".

The new protection zone covers 57,000 sq miles (150,000 sq km) of ocean around the islands, roughly equivalent to the size of the U.S. state of Illinois.

The Revillagigedo Archipelago is located around 390km (242 miles) southeast of the Baja California peninsula, which separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California.

The four volcanic islands which make up the archipelago and the waters around it are home to hundreds of species of animals and plants such as giant rays, humpback whale, turtles and migratory birds.

Dozens of these species are unique to the area which makes protecting the area around the archipelago all the more important.

The archipelago is known as the 'Galapagos of North America', which refers to the volcanic islands off the Ecuadorean coast whose unique wildlife inspired the biologist Charles Darwin.

Credit: PA

In addition to its distinctive sealife, the area is known for being a breeding ground for regularly fished species of fish such as tuna and sierra.

Mexico's creation of the zone will now ban all fishing activities in the area, along with the construction of hotels on the islands.

It is hoped that the creation of the new ocean reserve will help recover fish populations which have been hit hard by commercial fishing.

According to Pena Nieto, the country's Environmental Ministry and Navy will carry out surveillance and training in the area including remote real-time monitoring, environmental education of local fishermen and sanctions against those breaking the rules of the zone.

The decision has been praised by environmental and conservation groups like the World Wildlife Fund who clearly think Mexico has done the right thing.

If Mexico's new reserve protects marine life and lets us keep marveling at its wonders in person or on TV, it's all good by us too.

Topics: Environment, World News, News, Mexico

Chris Ogden

Chris Ogden is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from the University of East Anglia with degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing before completing his NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Journalism. Chris has previously written for the independent culture magazine The Skinny, among other publications.

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