Punta Chueca

My first impression of Punta Cheuca was what I imagined a third world country to be like. The streets were literally covered in trash. There were blankets thrown down on the filthy streets, barbie dolls covered in mud, etc. I couldn’t believe my eyes; it was a major culture shock. I began to wonder why would a small little town that is so united do this to their home? I then began to realize that Americans do it too. Not in a sense of littering everywhere (although of course some people do), but in a sense of other things such as water. I guarantee they value water far more than we do. I try to be as conservative as possible, but I am a culprit of taking 20 minute showers. I could also promise that they are conservative especially when it comes down to food and other natural resources. However, the Seri Indians have been around for 4,000 years. All of the trash that I saw has been brought in and influenced by western countries such as the United States. Before plastic was invented and brought into their culture, children would play with sea shells, rocks, sticks, and other organic materials. After they were done they would simply through it on the ground and play with something else.
Another quick observation I saw was very nice vehicles, mostly expensive SUV’s. Classmates jumped to the conclusion that they valued vehicles more so then their other belongings. I personally believe that their vehicles are an important and necessary item. From Punta Chueca to Kino Bay is about a 50 minute drive down a terribly bumpy road. They need long lasting vehicles to get around. Most of the vehicles did not have license plates, and from a good resource, they were all probably stolen. This brings up another important culture issue. The Seri’s were once nomadic people. They would travel to a place use up all of the resources and move on. As they would travel they would take whatever they needed, I am referring to organic items. And now they just take what they need and move on.
I felt unwanted at the village. I was pressured quite often to purchase crafts that they hand make without tools. They are quite beautiful as well. They were also selling weaved baskets, necklaces made out of shells gathered by beach combers. I am extremely low on cash and I was refusing every offer. I felt bad as if I were intruding and not showing my respect by supporting their economy. I did purchase one thing which costs me my every last peso I had (150 pesos). So I am not criticized on behalf of my purchase I must briefly explain the relationship between sea turtles and the Seri’s.
All the seven and 1 sub-species of sea turtles are endangered world wide. They were most commonly hunted for their meat and their shells. Hunters also poach their eggs to sell overseas used as an aphrodisiac. The Seri’s provide informative knowledge in sea turtle conservation. The Seri’s have a very sacred relationship with the sea turtles that inhabit the Sea of Cortez. It has even been said that they sing to the turtle to bring them in (Winona LaDuke, 2003). Once upon a time they held annual ceremonies for the sea turtles, but went years without seeing a single one. Today, they are allowed to kill a sea turtle for ceremonial purposes. There are a lot of critics that believe they should not be allowed to do so, ironically these people are from western countries, primarily the United States, that have little to no relationship or knowledge about Seri traditions. I personally respect and admire the magical ceremonies that they hold and do not criticize them for doing so. So, moving on to what I purchased. After refusing many beautiful gifts from mostly Seri women, I met Alfredo who is a respected elder in the community. He made a ring from a scute (segments of the turtle shell) of a Hawksbill. I picked it up from the table and immediately felt a beautiful connection. When I placed the ring on my finger I felt a surge of energy. My entire mood shifted into a calming phase and released the fear that existed in me from the initial culture shock. It was a really beautiful moment that I am extremely privileged to have experienced.

First Boat Trip

Our first day out on the water was exciting! It was an introduction to the entire course. We got to examine basic topics that we we’ll learn more about in detail. Some of the topics were different fisheries and techniques, ecology of islands, aquaculture, ecology, policy and marine issues. We traveled in “pangas”, in English this means boat; they can hold up to 16-20 people. The local fisherman also uses pangas. On our way to Isla Alcatraz, we observed many pangas in the water fishing for different things. Most were catching Blue Shrimp, which the season just started a couple week ago on September 18th. Others were catching Blue Swimming Crab by traps and buoys made from old plastic bottles or blocks of Styrofoam. Most of the boats are 3-4 meters in length and consist of a crew of 1-3.

The course focuses a lot on the local fisheries, for there is a lot of controversy between them and outside fisherman that are primarily 30-40 meter shrimp trawlers. Our boat captain Cosme was born and raised in Kino Bay. He also has his own fishing boats and a crew. He was able to share valuable knowledge with us that you couldn’t find in a text book. As we were passing all the pangas, he was pointing out his friends, family, and he own personal pangas. The fishing community is very united in Kino. Everybody knows everybody. We pulled up to his brothers boat, and they seemed very excited and happy to talk to us. The translation for me is very difficult so I didn’t gather much of the conversation except for “Blue Shrimp”. Cosme asked them to throw us some shrimp and they generously threw us a couple dozen of their hard earn catch.

Moving on we circled around Island Alcatraz. We observed sea lions on their backs with their flippers up above the water warming their selves in the sun. We also observed Yellow-footed Gulls, Herman Gulls, Double Crested Cormorants, Great Blue Heron, Brown Pelican, Frigate, Blue and Brown Boobies, Black Vulture, Osprey, and a Humming bird (species unknown). Once we landed we had a short tour of the island to view the nesting cormorants. It is a little early in the season so there were only a few dozen getting ready for their excited parenthood. The peak season for nesting cormorants is December and January. Another exciting fact is that Isla Alcatraz has the highest number of nesting cormorants, 1100 pairs. Cormorants are a very unique bird. For the consistency of their nesting numbers on the island, they seem not to be effected by El Nino and other natural causes. Isla Alcatraz also hosts another 10 species of nesting birds.

Prescott College wrote the environmental plan for this island which was a great success and accomplishment. This project took several dedicated students, instructors, biologist, and other outside resources. The project consisted of 3 phases:
Survey of the geography and flora and fauna. On this particular island you can find Cardones, salt bush, wolfberry, and pickle weed. It is an interesting island because is has several different environments such as, beaches, salts flats, mosaic of costal shrub, high elevation, sharp and gentle slopes. As you can imagine if provides many niches for many different organisms.
Survey of human impacts and activity. Local fisherman use this island to come to shore to de-head their shrimp catch and also families would come to visit and primarily stay on the beach and not explore into the shrubs where the birds are nesting. In conclusion it didn’t seem that there weren’t any disturbances caused from human influences.
Educational component. This was started by the fellows (two Mexicans employed by Prescott College). They teach ecology at the local schools and bring the children out to the islands for field trips.
After all the research was done they submitted it to the national protection agency and it was accepted. Much more has gone into this project, more than I can explain. However if you do have any questions please feel free to ask.

After our lovely tour we me headed towards the main land to snorkel. Although snorkeling was unsuccessful, probably due to the aquaculture plant being near, we lunch on the beach where I was threatened by my gigantic bull sea lion (this would have been a good opportunity to see somebody run on water). There was also a beautiful osprey nest where I tried to poach some eggs, but unfortunately it wasn’t the season. (please note that was sarcasm). This concludes my day.

Marine Conservation

I am currently attending Prescott College studying education in Environmental and Marine Science. I spend a good portion of my time in Kino Bay where Prescott College has a research base. This blog is designed to document my experience during my studies in Marine Conservation. The course is a collaboration of three classes: Global Marine Issues, we will develop an understanding physical environment in which will be living (Kino Bay, Mexico). This will include landscape, oceans, islands, cultures, policy, economics e, along with environmental issues such as pollution, tourism, habitat restoration. The second part of the course i titled Gulf of Mexico Conservation Case Studies, we will then observe regional case studies pertaining to the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of Mexico). We will examine difference fishing techniques while speaking to fisherman and working on a shrimp trawler monitoring bi-catch, and aquacultures and so forth. Lastly is Applied Conservation Research, we will be examining specific conservation projects and efforts. We will be working on conservation projects as well with proposals. We will also have the opportunity to work management agencies, scientists, educators, and local resources. Through this blog I am excited to spread my love, passion and knowledge to who ever is interested