We are a group of local guides committed to doing voluntary work in conservation and environmental education in order to promote, create new spaces, workshops and dynamics with children, youth and adults from our community and its surroundings in order to raise awareness about the conservation of the natural resources of our Ria Lagartos biosphere reserve in Yucatan, Mexico.
⚠️ A note for visitors:
In Ría Lagartos, not everyone who advertises as a “local guide” is officially trained or certified.
Our team has spent years studying the wildlife, habitats, and safety standards of this unique reserve.
When you book with us, you’re traveling with certified local guides who truly understand and respect the ecosystem — not just someone selling a quick ride.
Choosing a responsible operator helps protect the Biosphere Reserve and supports families who depend on sustainable tourism 💚
Andrea Nuñez Marfil Founder of Ria Balam.
The Internet can help you become an activist. Anyone who gets to know plants and animals well automatically soon realizes that something must be done to conserve and protect them. When you reach that stage, look for help. Check out the following environmental organizations and evironmental news sources.
WildAid has collaborated with the Regional Community Committee for Fishery Inspection and Monitoring of the Eastern Zone of Yucatán (Comité Regional Comunitario de Inspección y Vigilancia Pesquera de la Zona Oriente de Yucatán) to support the fight against illegal fishing, especially of sea cucumber. This collaboration includes equipment for monitoring and surveillance activities, such as cameras, communication equipment, and boats, in addition to joint operations with authorities like the Secretariat of the Navy (Secretaría de Marina) and CONAPESCA. The objective is to protect marine resources and develop fishery refuge zones, such as the one being established in El Cuyo.
Equipment and Support: WildAid has provided communication, surveillance, and safety equipment, as well as operational supplies, to the fishery monitoring committee in the Eastern Zone of Yucatán.
Objective: To combat illegal fishing and protect marine resources, such as the sea cucumber, through inspection and monitoring in the region.
Collaboration: The collaboration is carried out jointly with local organizations and authorities such as the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Comisión Nacional de Acuacultura y Pesca – CONAPESCA) and the Secretariat of the Navy (Secretaría de Marina).
Results: Joint inspection and surveillance operations have been carried out at sea. For example, 49 operations were conducted between March and September 2024.
Development of Refuges: Support is being provided for the creation of a Fishery Refuge Zone in El Cuyo, to promote the conservation and biological development of marine species.
Key Terms in the Translation:
- pepino de mar: sea cucumber
- vigilancia pesquera: fishery monitoring/surveillance
- embarcaciones: boats/vessels
- operativos conjuntos: joint operations
- Zona de Refugio Pesquero: Fishery Refuge Zone
- CONAPESCA: National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Comisión Nacional de Acuacultura y Pesca)
- Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR): Secretariat of the Navy (Mexico’s Naval Ministry)
Audubon Society | Conservation International | Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability | Earth Island Institute | Earthjustice | Envirolink Network | Environmental News Network | Environmental Organization WebDirectory | Fauna Flora International | Greenpeace International | National Wildlife Federation | Native Tree Society | Naturefriends International | Global Footprint Network | International Union for Conservation of Nature | Natural Resources Defense Council | Nature Conservancy | Sierra Club | Wetlands International | World Wildlife Fund