Coastal Lagoon Management in Baja California, Mexico

G?mez-Morin Fuentes, Lorenzo; Ferm?n Almada, Jos? Luis; Escofet, Anamar?a; Espejel Carbajal, Ileana; Torres Moye, Guillermo; ,

Coastal Lagoon Management in Baja California, Mexico

by Lorenzo G?mez-Morin Fuentes, Universidad Autonoma de Baja, California, Baja California, Mexico,
Jos? Luis Ferm?n Almada, Universidad Autonoma de Baja, California, Baja California, Mexico,
Anamar?a Escofet, Universidad Autonoma de Baja, California, Baja California, Mexico,
Ileana Espejel Carbajal, Universidad Autonoma de Baja, California, Baja California, Mexico,
Guillermo Torres Moye, Universidad Autonoma de Baja, California, Baja California, Mexico,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: The Management of Coastal Lagoons and Enclosed Bays

Abstract:

The first management program for a coastal lagoon in the State of Baja California, Mexico, was proposed for the 'Estero de Punta Banda' lagoon, located near the city of Ensenada, about 120 km south of the U.S.A.-Mexico border, on the Pacific coast. The lagoon is approximately 7.5 km long, and its surroundings are of astonishing beauty. Because of this, it has been intensively used for tourism, sport fishing, and recently, for aquaculture enterprises. It is without a management program, thus leading to anarchic development and threatening the natural resources of the area, including the landscape views. The potential for economic development of the lagoon and its adjacent land was recognized by the State and Federal Government, who promoted a land use plan and a management program. This paper presents the evaluation of natural resources, habitats, and economic activities in the region, and the general framework for its management under the Federal and State Environmental Laws. The program is currently being incorporated by the State Government in its development plans, and it is expected that similar studies will be conducted for other coastal areas of the State.

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