The biosphere reserve Island San Pedro Martir has great scientific relevance for what is considered a natural laboratory of adaptation and evolution. It is one of the best preserved sites of the Gulf of California. This marine protected area has a great biological wealth, registering 292 species of flora and fauna both marine and terrestrial, of which 42 species are protected, either by the Mexican laws (NOM ECOL-059 2001) 30 in the IUCN Red List and 36 under CITES.
This island is home to the world´s largest nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies and brown boobies, one of the largest colonies in Mexico of brown pelicans and probably the largest colony in the Gulf of California of the red billed tropic bird . It also houses the fourth most important breeding colony of sea lions of the Gulf of California. In its surrounding waters there are 14 species of marine mammals, big aggregations of whales are often seen in its western portion. In its insular habitat there are two species of endemic reptiles: the lizard whiptail and stained sides lizard ; while the Emperor black snake is restricted to just a few islands in the Gulf.
Conservation
Good governance
Community benefits
San Pedro Martir Island Biosphere Reserve (SPMIBR) was established in 2002. It is located in the middle portion of the Gulf of California, is considered one of the best preserved and most oceanic of the islands that make up the archipelago of the Gulf of California, as it is located 55 kilometers from Punta Kino, Sonora, 64 kilometers from Punta San Gabriel, Baja California, and a distance of 61 kilometers from the port of Bahia Kino, Sonora.
The SPMIBR has great scientific relevance for what is considered a natural laboratory of adaptation and evolution. It is one of the best preserved sites of the Gulf of California. This marine protected area has a great biological wealth, registering 292 species of flora and fauna both marine and terrestrial, of which 42 species are protected, either by the Mexican laws (NOM ECOL-059 2001), 30 in the IUCN Red List and 36 under CITES.
This island is home to the world´s largest nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies (Sula nebouxii) and brown boobies (Sula leucogaster), one of the largest colonies in Mexico of brown pelicans and probably the largest colony in the Gulf of California of the red-billed tropic bird (Phaethon aethereus). It also houses the fourth most important breeding colony of sea lions (Zalophus californianus)of the Gulf of California. In its surrounding waters there are 14 species of marine mammals, big aggregations of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) frequent its western portion. In its insular habitat there are two species of endemic reptiles found only here: the lizard whiptail (Aspidoscelis martyris) and stained-sided lizard (Uta palmeri); while the Emperor black snake (Lampropeltis nigritus) is restricted to just a few islands in the Gulf.
EAGL statement:
Before the visit to the Island San Pedro Mártir Biosphere Reserve, the EAGL reviewed the site the visit, the Global Standard indicators were evaluated with the stakeholders and right holders with the EAGL, based on the sources of verification, meeting with stakeholders and right holders, PA team, mentor and one researcher. Subsequently, the EAGL gave their collective opinion and that is why the candidate phase is complete; our assessment is that the Island San Pedro Mártir Biosphere Reserve is an example of a protected area that is well designed and possesses good administration and planning, as well as effective governance. It complies with the indicators of the Global Standard of the Green List of components: Governance, Design and Planning, Effective Management and Results of Successful Conservation.
A robust corps of scientific and technical information has been long available for this PA, including data on fisheries, the nature and structure of the seabed, the location of breeding areas for seabirds, and historical and current uses of natural resources. The Previous Justificatory Study was conducted by COBI. Then, expert workshops were held to analyze alternative zoning proposals for the PA. A key criterion was the probability that fishermen would respect the zoning and its restrictions.
Eight habitats are distinguished in the PA, six marine habitats, an interface habitat, and one terrestrial habitat. Initiated by Prescott College and COBI, there is continuous monitoring of human uses, which is the responsibility of PA personnel since 2005. In total, 126 monitoring trips have been made, both to the core and the buffer zones. These reports show that information and environmental education are bringing about changes in the patterns of use by fishermen.
Reviewer statement:
The Reviewer validates San Pedro Martir Island Biosphere Reserv’s Green Listing process as being in conformity with the User Manual’s rules and procedures. The on-site visit to the Biosphere Reserve Isla San Pedro Martir dated 4-5 September 2018 -which follow a detailed agenda posted in COMPASS August 24th, 2018-, included the participation on next Reserves offices: CONANP Guaymas, CONANP Bahía Kino, Sonora, and the Island, where confirmed the establishment of management actions, with the participation of governmental, social sectors, right holders, mentor and one researcher. From 2011 the community of Bahía de Kino, Sonora promotes the benefits of respecting the marine protected area of the Island. The campaign to involved local participation used the Pride Methodology of the NGO Rare Conservation, and as mentions in the EAGL`s report, the community promoters are doing a great job in terms of environmental education and increased awareness has resulted in the reduction of environmental illicit activities and important changes in attitudes. As illustrated in the map of the agenda for the on-site visit, the island monitoring included Barra Rabijunco – Limantur North, Barra Baya, islet Craveri, and Limantur South. Based on the EAGL`s site visit report, the Biosphere Reserve Isla San Pedro Martir is in compliance with the indicators of the IUCN Green List Standard for the components Governance, Design and Planning, Effective Management and Results of Successful Conservation. Regarding the EAGL Review of Site Performance, the group of Experts (EAGL-Mexico), concluded that the PA is doing very well in this regard, and are in agreement with the EAGL report of the site visit
