bajabound2005
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Cousteau-inspired observatory to monitor Mexican coasts
Cousteau-inspired observatory to monitor Mexican coasts
MEXICO CITY (AFP) — France and Mexico are to launch a joint observatory to unite scientific work on the environmental impact from humans and climate
change on Mexico's coastlines, officials said here Tuesday.
The Jacques Cousteau observatory, named after the French explorer, will include bases in La Paz, on Mexico's northwestern Baja California peninsula,
and in Merida in the Yucatan in southeast Mexico, French and Mexican officials said.
"Up to now, there's nothing comparable to this cooperation" anywhere in the world, French ambassador to Mexico Daniel Parfait told a news conference
in Mexico City.
"I'm sure it will be a model that will develop in other areas," Parfait added.
The observatory, involving at least six Mexican and French institutions, aims to advise local governments on environmental protection and seek joint
international funding for research, said Sergio Hernandez, director general of the Center of Scientific Research of the Northwest (CIBNOR), which will
host the Baja California base, due to open on June 22.
French explorer Cousteau called Baja California the "world's aquarium" due to the rich marine life off its long coastline in both the Pacific Ocean
and the Sea of Cortez.
The surrounding seas of the popular tourist area are home to vaquitas or harbor porpoises, whales, dolphins, sea lions and sharks, while its rocky
coasts are home to hundreds of resident and migratory birds.
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabound2005
Cousteau-inspired observatory to monitor Mexican coasts
"Up to now, there's nothing comparable to this cooperation" anywhere in the world, French ambassador to Mexico Daniel Parfait told a news conference
in Mexico City.
"I'm sure it will be a model that will develop in other areas," Parfait added.
The observatory, involving at least six Mexican and French institutions, aims to advise local governments on environmental protection and seek joint
international funding for research, said Sergio Hernandez, director general of the Center of Scientific Research of the Northwest (CIBNOR), which will
host the Baja California base, due to open on June 22.
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Sounds like a fantastic project with good cooperation not only between two different countries, but cooperation between very qualified scientists and
organizations. Sounds like a real model project for further world cooperation.
The Mexican and French scientists are probably more qualified to do this study than simpleton observations by Nomads.
I do hope the progress and reports will be made public, no matter what the findings.
Thanks for posting this---a really good news post.
Diane
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Bajahowodd
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I think it's a feather in the cap for La Paz. However, Merida is not on the coast. On the other hand, it's a cool, sophisticated city. Wonder why
since they are locating in two places, they are both on the Pacific side??
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longlegsinlapaz
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I think it's a feather in the cap for La Paz. However, Merida is not on the coast. On the other hand, it's a cool, sophisticated city. Wonder why
since they are locating in two places, they are both on the Pacific side?? |
You might wanna double check a
map before you head to La Paz for vacation....La Paz is NOT on the Pacific, it's on the East side of the Peninsula, which makes it on
the Sea of Cortez side.
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wilderone
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"The observatory, involving at least six Mexican and French institutions...."
There is so much information already - I think the best part about this new effort is that "at least six" entities will be coordinating and sharing
their information, and joining together to complement each others' work, and comprise a substantial staff. Says they will seek international support
for funding - so hopefully will be in existence for some time. Yucatan is an important place for observation and advisement. Maybe FONATUR will
finally listen to a group of international scientists when they say that building mega hotels in the estuaries, contrary to their own laws, is not a
good thing.
PS: climate change doesn't only mean rising sea levels. A couple degrees variance in water temperatures on land (streams) and in the ocean greatly
affects everything that depends on them for life. E.g., coral will die if not the correct temperature to sustain it. Storm systems are changing as
well -more frequent hurricanes destroy coastal habitat. No - can't stop a hurricane, but what will we do with the aftermath, if anything?
The upshot is that we all need a healthy earth (home), and I say more power to those will work toward that.
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longlegsinlapaz
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Well stated Wilderone!
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Bajahowodd
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Legs- I know where La Paz is. And the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific just South of there. I was just curious as to the reason for focusing on the
West side of Mexico, inasmuch as there's plenty of ocean on the East side.
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longlegsinlapaz
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the article didn't go into much detail, just enough to whet everyone's curiosity. It might possibly have some bearing that there's an existing CIBNOR
federal research facility here next to El Comitan, or it might possibly be for a comparison of open ocean coastal areas versus an inner bay coastline
area such as La Paz. Only time & more informative public announcements will answer these questions.
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Osprey
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Some satellite systems in place now are already recording plant and animal changes along the shores of Mexico. They measure what, if any (and how
much) change is taking place due to fish and shrimp farming, agriculture (like the fertilizer spawning plant growth at the shore of the Yaqui Valley)
and, of course, industrial waste. Handy data to have years or decades from now when somebody promises to build this or that mega thing at the water's
edge and not pollute beyond such and such PPM. David, you stepped in it with some when you locked onto sea levels. They will probably check salinity,
temps, currents, perhaps even plankton levels -- all good stuff to know.
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turtleandtoad
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Think maybe they are talking about Merida, Yucatan? that's on the other coast.
Although it could also be Merida Spain
Or Merida Venezuela
Or Merida Philippines
Or Merida Montana
My money is on Yucatan. Even though Merida isn't really on the coast, it's within 22 miles, so now they have the Gulf Coast covered, and with the La
Paz station, they have access to both the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific. Sounds like a plan to me (although they could have gotten a little closer to
the water than Merida).
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www.turtleandtoad.com
I am here
To paraphrase Frank Lloyd Wright; I\'m all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let\'s start with keyboards. --
Mike Dean |
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Bajahowodd
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Larry, I must have had a brain fart. Been to Yucatan many times and for some reason, thought in the moment, that Merida, was somehow on the "Pacific"
side of Yucatan. My bad.
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Gypsy Jan
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Hmm, I am No Expert
But, from my understanding of history, due to Mexico's short, but very volcanic governance by France, it embraced the convoluted bureaucracy and the
posturing inherent in that structure.
So, a joint announcement of a "Saving the Environment" project that employs many non-productive government workers makes perfect sense.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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Ryan
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On a recent trip to Punta San Jose, we spotted what appeared to be some kind of church / college campus / resort thing just south of there right on
the coast. We investigated further and found the property to be gated and guarded. I asked the guard what the place was and he replied "observatorio".
As we looked around, and looked at the condition of the road from Santo Tomas out to the coast, we thought it sounded a little fishy. BUT, could
this be the facility referred to in the article as the "Pacific Coast of Northwest Baja"?
Ever since we saw that place, I've been curious as to what the heck it is.
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flyfishinPam
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabound2005
Cousteau-inspired observatory to monitor Mexican coasts
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Beautiful! we welcome this with open arms.
edited to get myself outtada quote box
[Edited on 6-18-2009 by flyfishinPam]
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