Unlike the Lagunas of Ojo de
Liebre and San Ignacio - which are both
within a Biosphere Reserve - Magdalena Bay is the only one of the three grey whale
watching zones in the middle Peninsula of BCS that is not part of a controlled
area.
So just to make sure that all whale
watching activities are carried out with necessary care and attention a multidisciplinary
team of researchers from the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS)
has been asked to conduct an assessment of whale watching at Magdalena Bay.
It will be a comprehensive piece
of research looking at the social, economic, regulatory and biological aspects of
whale watching. The idea is to develop a tool for authorities to measure and regulate
tourist activities in areas out with control zones. And in this way it will
help protect both the whales and the local tourist industry.
A spokesperson from the research team said -"We
must understand that whales are a resource that bring good economic benefits
for tourism. For this reason, we must make sure this can continue, but with
balance and proper care. A suitable conservation plan will allow this ".