More Information
Summary Overview
Laguna San Ignacio is located midway along Baja California Sur’s Pacific Coast, between Punta Falsa and Cabo San Lázaro, just east of the town of Punta Abrejos.This area represents the northern limit of mangroves along the Pacific Coast and the nutrients these forests provide, as well as the high levels of coastal upwelling, lead to elevated productivity. Five fishery cooperatives operate in the area and aquaculture for commercial clams also occurs in the area. The area is known to host several sea turtles, such as the green, loggerhead, olive ridley and occasionally the scarce hawksbill. The lagoons in this area are important wintering sites for both gray and blue whales, and this area is considered a key breeding and calving habitat for the gray whale.
Site Overview
Laguna San Ignacio is located midway along Baja California Sur’s Pacific Coast, between Punta Falsa and Cabo San Lázaroa, just east of the town of Punta Abrejos. This coastal lagoon reaches depths of two to four meters (7.5–13 feet) and is approximately six kilometers (four miles) wide and 35 kilometers (22 miles) long. The coast is lined with rocky shores and open beaches and remains one of the most pristine areas along the Pacific Coast. For species diversity, see the management plan of the Biosphere Reserve (Semarnat 2000, Ortega and Arriaga 1991).
This area represents the northern limit of mangroves along the Pacific Coast and the nutrients these forests provide, as well as the high levels of coastal upwelling, lead to elevated productivity. Kelp forests support abalone and other fisheries, such as those for Pismo clam and spiny lobster. Five fishery cooperatives operate in the area and aquaculture for commercial clams also occurs in the area.
The area is known to host several sea turtles, such as the green, loggerhead, olive ridley and occasionally the scarce hawksbill. Loggerheads arrive in the area following migration from Asian waters and olive ridleys characteristically travel southward, following nesting, to feed off Ecuador. Seabirds, such as Pacific loons (Gavia arctica pacifica) and blue-footed boobies (Sula nebouxii), use the area. Brown pelicans migrate from as far north as the Columbia River to breed in the Laguna San Ignacio area.
The lagoons in this area are important wintering sites for both gray and blue whales. It is here that they migrate from their Alaskan and Arctic feeding grounds to breed and calve, and this area is considered a key breeding and calving habitat for the gray whale. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are also common, along with harbor seals and California sea lions, which like to feed in the cool, upwelling water.
Fact Sheet
El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, MAB UNESCO
Laguna San Ignacio, Wetland of International Importance, Ramsar Convention
blue whale, gray whale, killer whale, northern right whale, humpback whale
pink-footed shearwater
east pacific green turtle, loggerhead turtle, hawksbill turtle
area of high diversity
critical habitat for gray and blue whale breeding and calving,
important feeding area for green and other sea turtles
Threats
| PCA | Extratction of nonrenewable resources | Exploitation of renewable resources | Coastal land use change | Pollution at coast/at sea | Damagin recreational use | Physical alteration of coastline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Laguna San Ignacio (Mexico) |  | | | |  | |
MSCCC
MSCCC Mammals: blue whale, gray whale, killer whale, northern right whale, humpback whaleMSCCC Birds: pink-footed shearwater
MSCCC Turtles: east pacific green turtle, loggerhead turtle, hawksbill turtle
Other Priority Conservation Areas
Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) are areas of trinational importance due to their ecological significance, threatened nature and opportunities for conservation.
