IFAW: Mexico's First Marine Mammal Research Vessel Sets Sail

6/8/2004

From: Joaquin de la Torre Ponce of IFAW Latin America, (plus-52-55) 5661-0166 or jtorreponce@ifaw.org; Web: http://www.ifaw.org

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, June 8 -- Mexico's first vessel specifically designed and equipped for research on marine mammals and their habitat set sail today from San Felipe's harbor, in Mexicali, Baja California. With advanced visual and acoustic survey technology, this new vessel, KOIPAI YU-XA, will allow Mexican marine scientists to improve regional marine mammal conservation and management.

Beatriz Bugeda, Director of IFAW's (International Fund for Animal Welfare - http://www.ifaw.org) Latin American Office explained, "It is important for Mexico to have this kind of scientific research equipment because Mexico's Gulf of California has a high marine mammal biodiversity. It is estimated that 42 percent of the cetaceans species in the world, that is 35 of the 83 species, use these waters for reproduction, nursery or as a migratory stopover."

Elementary school students named the vessel through a contest held across the region. The construction and equipping of the vessel was made possible thanks to financial and logistical support provided by IFAW, the US Marine Mammal Commission, the National Institute of Ecology (acronym INE in Spanish), the Biosphere Reserve of the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta, the Bellot Shipyard, and the Coalition for the Upper Gulf of California.

"The KOIPAI YU-XA was designed to minimize disturbance of the marine habitat and its components, with its almost noiseless engines and machinery, innovative waste disposal system and shallow-draft design it is able to sail in shallow waters where other ships can't go," said Dr. Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho, Coordinator of INE's Marine Mammal National Research Program.

KOIPAI YU-XA's priority is to study marine mammals. "It was built with the equipment necessary to conduct oceanographic studies as well as research on other species such as sea turtles, fish, sea birds, which will allow us to understand the relationship between different species and their habitats in the Sea of Cortez," said Beatriz Bugeda. "Furthermore, this vessel is of regional importance because its research will help develop technologies in order to make fishing compatible with conservation, as well as to influence regional resources management policies for the Gulf of California."

The new boat will allow scientists to study a great variety of species, including the vaquita, a cetacean endemic to the Upper Gulf of California, in great risk of extinction. "The vessel's equipment will let us follow the vaquita's movements and habitat usage, as well as allow us to establish an acoustic system to monitor population densities and, therefore, measure its recovery," added Dr. Rojas.

This vessel will be based at San Felipe harbor and has been donated to the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans (acronym CEDO in Spanish), an organization devoted to the conservation and sustainable use of the natural and cultural resources of the Upper Gulf of California. INE's Marine Mammal National Research Program, among other research institutions, will use this ship to study marine mammals in the Gulf of California.

Editors: For more information, visit http://www.ifaw.org