Save Mexico's Coral Reefs!

December was an important month for Mexico’s rich biodiversity, particularly its coral reefs.

Just before the end of the year, AIDA joined a coalition of academics, scientists, conservationists and civil society allies to announce the discovery of non-emerged coral reefs within the confines of the Veracruz Reef System.

Together with CEMDA and Greenpeace Mexico we called on the government of Mexico to take appropriate measures to safeguard these vital habitats, especially in light of the proposed expansion of the Port of Veracruz.

“SEMARNAT and CONANP must protect the new reefs discovered inside the Veracruz Reef System National Park,” AIDA spokesman Aída Navarro told the press. “Anything else would constitute a failure to comply with national regulations and the international conventions to which Mexico has subscribed.”

The announcement coincided with the visit of the Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior, to Veracruz. Throughout their visit we co-hosted press and outreach events, including a photographic exposition aboard the ship highlighting the beauty and diversity of the reefs.

The public outreach campaign resulted in widespread media coverage of our efforts to protect the Veracruz reefs. Yet it was just part of the important progress made this past December. 

Earlier in the month, AIDA team members were in Cancun to attend the 13^th Convention on Biological Diversity, an international treaty focused on the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of its benefits.

As an important voice representing Latin American civil society AIDA:

• Worked actively with the Costa Rican delegation to integrate language on corals into the proposals;
• Promoted our International Corals Report;
• Helped draft the Civil Society Declaration;
• Engaged actively with media urging Mexico to allocate adequate resources to new protected areas and to protect the Veracruz reef; and
• Spoke at the Civil Society Forum on the Integration of Biodiversity and Tourism

The Convention saw several important advancements for Mexico’s biodiversity, with the host nation desiring to set a good example during its time on the international stage. Mexico announced four new protected areas, including:

• 3 million acres off the west coast of Baja California;
• A swath of ocean over 2,600 feet deep in the Mexican Deep Pacific, which stretches from Chiapas state to Nayarit;
• An important reef system in the Mexican Caribbean; and
• The Mountains of Tamaulipas, a habitat for various feline species and the source for eight different watersheds. 

Thanks to your support, we will continue to hold Mexico accountable for protecting its rich coral biodiversity reefs, and raise public awareness of the vital role these ecosystems play.