Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California
Factors affecting the property in 2024*
- Fishing/collecting aquatic resources
- Illegal activities
- Other Threats:
Serious concerns over the conservation status of two species, vaquita (porpoise species) and totoaba (marine fish)
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Fishing/collecting aquatic resources
- Illegal activities (illegal fishing)
- Serious concerns about the imminent extinction of an endemic porpoise species (vaquita) and conservation status of a marine fish (totoaba)
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
- Imminent extinction of an endemic porpoise species (vaquita) and conservation status of a marine fish (totoaba)
- Insufficient capacity to control illegal fishing and trafficking activities
- Presence of unsustainable fishing practices that endanger non-target marine species
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
In progress
Corrective Measures for the property
Proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2024
N/A
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2024
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2024**
April 2017: joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission; February 2018: joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2024
On 31 January 2024, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property, available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1182/documents/, reporting the following:
- Verifications were carried out at authorized embarkation and disembarkation points, with 99.6% of vessels inspected complying with legislation. Irregularities identified included vessels lacking the necessary fishing permits or transporting prohibited fishing gear, and fines were imposed accordingly;
- Fishery products and by-products were inspected and land-based verification points were established. Road checkpoints were also positioned at relevant transport links. Inspections identified 81 findings of non-compliance;
- Ocean patrol has increased in capacity to ensure continuous presence in the Zero Tolerance Area (ZTA). Between April and October 2023, 88 vessels were detected, marking a 53% decrease compared to the same period in 2022;
- Removal and disposal of ghost nets recovered in the ZTA has been implemented, in collaboration with Sea Shepherd Conservation and other local organizations;
- Training has enhanced capacity in identifying cross-border movements of totoaba products;
- Notice requests have been submitted to INTERPOL to identify trafficking operations, and for information on the identity or whereabouts of specific individuals;
- A financial reporting mechanism has been established, which has identified 53 reports of unusual operations related to totoaba trafficking;
- Conviction processes are ongoing with initiation of 88 investigations, and 32 cases undergoing prosecution;
- The People's Republic of China (China), the United States of America (USA) and Mexico have reached an agreement on the Terms of Reference for the ‘Trilateral Law Enforcement Contact Group’ to facilitate cooperation among countries of origin, transit, and destination of illegally trafficked totoaba products;
- A domestic working group has been established to enhance exchange of information on organized crime;
- Terms of Reference for the ‘Fishermen Registration Program’ for alternative fishing gear in the Upper Gulf of California and a comprehensive document outlining the structure of the programme has been formulated;
- Between April and July 2023, 23 alternative fishing gear permits were granted, of which 16 permits are for the Gulf of Santa Clara, and seven for San Felipe;
- Training has been conducted in alternative fishing systems. Further development of Alternative Fishing Systems for Curvina golfina is underway;
- A Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) was submitted with the report;
- Visual surveys of vaquita in 2023 observed 10 to 13 healthy individuals, including at least one calf;
- 193 concrete blocks with rods were placed in the ZTA to trap gillnets and thereby discourage illegal fishing.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2024
The vaquita population remains of critical concern with the species still on the brink of extinction. While the visual surveys in 2021 and 2023 indicate the population has remained stable, including the continued observation of at least one calf, conservation efforts must be rapidly and drastically improved to ensure their survival and recovery. Regular surveys of the vaquita population to monitor the success of conservation measures and efforts to date are welcomed and should continue.
The ongoing inter-institutional surveillance and law enforcement efforts aimed at eliminating illegal fishing activities in the Upper Gulf are once more noted. However, whilst instances of illegal fishing appear to be reducing in the ZTA, illegal fishing activities continue according to figures presented in the report submitted by the State Party. Therefore, it appears that, despite ongoing efforts (many of which have shown improvement in recent years), further efforts are required in order to halt illegal fishing across the vaquita’s entire habitat, including the entire vaquita refuge area.
It is encouraging that the deployment of significant efforts to retrieve ghost nets from the ZTA, resulted in only a relatively small number of nets retrieved, indicating the possible success of efforts towards eliminating ghost nets from the ZTA. However, given the continued observation of illegal fishing operations in the property, it is essential that retrieval of abandoned fishing gear continues alongside increased surveillance and law enforcement to ensure that both abandoned and active gillnet fishing are eliminated from the ZTA, and the area remains completely free of all gillnets.
The novel approach to deterring illegal gillnet fishing in the ZTA using sunken seabed hooks is noted with appreciation and it is essential that the efficacy of this technique is assessed and monitored. Noting also the potential of the hooks to trap gillnets and become a source of entanglement and mortality of vaquita and other marine species, it is also essential that these hooks are regularly maintained and trapped nets removed from them on an ongoing basis.
Whilst the ongoing issuance of alternative fishing gear licenses is noted, the State Party should be requested to increase efforts to improve uptake of the alternative fishing gear across all fishing communities in the Upper Gulf to ensure these technologies are successfully implemented at the required scale.
The cooperation between the State Party and the relevant international institutions and States Parties that are transit and destination countries for illegal totoaba products, in particular the USA and China, including within the framework of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), should also be welcomed. It is important that cooperation is strengthened, in particular with the establishment and operation of the Trilateral Law Enforcement Contact Group, to effectively address the illegal totoaba bladder trade, including through effective implementation of the Compliance Action Plan of Mexico for Totoaba under CITES.
The submission of a proposal for the DSOCR for the property is noted with appreciation and it is recommended that the Committee approves it.
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2024
46 COM 7A.43
Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (Mexico) (N 1182ter)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
- Recalling Decision 45 COM 7A.2 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
- Reiterates its utmost concern about the critical status of the vaquita, specifically recognized as part of the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and endemic to the Gulf of California, and that illegal fishing of totoaba has continued in the Upper Gulf of California resulting in a threat of imminent extinction of the vaquita species;
- Welcomes the measures taken to monitor the vaquita population in the property, and requests the State Party to continue these efforts in order to inform conservation measures;
- Welcomes the confirmation that the sole remaining vaquita population appears to be stable and breeding, and considers it essential that the remaining vaquita are fully protected through all means necessary, in particular by eliminating the illegal use of gillnets in their habitat;
- Notes with concern that, despite renewed commitments and improvements to inter-institutional surveillance and law enforcement efforts, illegal fishing in the property persists, and reiterates its requests to the State Party to strengthen law enforcement efficiency through increased surveillance and inspection accompanied by improved criminal prosecution procedures and development of necessary legislation to increase the penalties foreseen for illegal traffic, capture, possession, import and export of wildlife species, parts and products considered, threatened, endangered or specially protected and/or regulated under national law, or by international treaties adopted by the State Party;
- Also welcomes the cooperation between the State Party with the relevant international institutions and States Parties, notably the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China, to combat illegal trafficking of totoaba products, including within the framework of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the development of a Terms of Reference for the Trilateral Law Enforcement Contact Group, and strongly recommends that the State Party of Mexico, together with the transit and destination countries, continue these efforts to establish the Trilateral Law Enforcement Contact Group and take urgent action in line with all CITES decisions to effectively address the illegal totoaba bladder trade;
- Further welcomes the ongoing retrieval of abandoned fishing gear, including through collaboration with civil society organizations, and again urges the State Party to continue these efforts alongside surveillance and law enforcement to ensure that the Zero Tolerance Area (ZTA) is completely free of gill nets;
- Notes with appreciation the novel mechanism to deter illegal fishing through sunken seabed hooks, and also requests the State Party to assess and monitor the efficacy of this technique alongside regular maintenance to ensure that trapped nets are removed from the hooks and do not become a source of entanglement for vaquita and other marine species;
- Also reiterates its request to the State Party to urgently expedite the production and deployment of alternative gear and provide information to the World Heritage Centre on the uptake of alternative gear across all fishing communities of the Upper Gulf of California;
- Urges the State Party to implement, with utmost priority, all of the corrective measures for the property and approves the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) proposed by the State Party in its January 2024 state of conservation report on the property, including the following indicators:
- Sustainable fisheries based on legal fishing gear systems that do not cause entanglement of marine mammals, sharks and turtles have been successfully adopted and modified as necessary in the property, the “Upper Gulf of California Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve (marine portion)” in particular, in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders,
- As an attribute of the OUV of the property, the vaquita species population has been increasing for at least 5 years, individuals appear healthy and are producing calves,
- The property is effectively protected from illegal fishing activities through increased surveillance and prosecution of illegal acts,
- The Vaquita Refuge and the “Upper Gulf of California - Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve (marine portion)” are free of illegal fishing gear, while the use, sale, possession, manufacture, and transport of gillnets has been eliminated, including among the surrounding communities,
- International cooperation is operating systematically to combat illegal totoaba fish poaching and trafficking;
- Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2025, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 47th session;
- Decides to retain Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (Mexico) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
46 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/24/46.COM/7A, WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add, WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add.3 and WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add.4),
- Decides to retain the following 55 properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
- Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley
- Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam
- Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna
- Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí
- Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park
- Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park
- Egypt, Abu Mena
- Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve
- Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
- Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat)
- Iraq, Hatra
- Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City
- Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan)
- Kenya, Lake Turkana National Parks
- Lebanon, Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha
- Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès
- Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus
- Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana
- Mali, Old Towns of Djenné
- Mali, Timbuktu
- Mali, Tomb of Askia
- Mexico, Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California
- Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia
- Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves
- Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo
- Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone
- Romania, Roșia Montană Mining Landscape
- Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo
- Solomon Islands, East Rennell
- State of Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town
- State of Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria
- Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din
- Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra
- Ukraine, Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
- Ukraine, L’viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre
- Ukraine, The Historic Centre of Odesa
- United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve
- United States of America, Everglades National Park
- Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz
- Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port
- Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid
- Yemen, Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib
- Yemen, Old City of Sana’a
- Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam.
Draft Decision: 46 COM 7A.43
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
- Recalling Decision 45 COM 7A.2 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
- Reiterates its utmost concern about the critical status of the vaquita, specifically recognized as part of the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and endemic to the Gulf of California, and that illegal fishing of totoaba has continued in the Upper Gulf of California resulting in a threat of imminent extinction of the vaquita species;
- Welcomes the measures taken to monitor the vaquita population in the property, and requests the State Party to continue these efforts in order to inform conservation measures;
- Welcomes the confirmation that the sole remaining vaquita population appears to be stable and breeding, and considers it essential that the remaining vaquita are fully protected through all means necessary, in particular by eliminating the illegal use of gillnets in their habitat;
- Notes with concern that, despite renewed commitments and improvements to inter-institutional surveillance and law enforcement efforts, illegal fishing in the property persists, and reiterates its requests to the State Party to strengthen law enforcement efficiency through increased surveillance and inspection accompanied by improved criminal prosecution procedures and development of necessary legislation to increase the penalties foreseen for illegal traffic, capture, possession, import and export of wildlife species, parts and products considered, threatened, endangered or specially protected and/or regulated under national law, or by international treaties adopted by the State Party;
- Also welcomes the cooperation between the State Party with the relevant international institutions and States Parties, notably the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China, to combat illegal trafficking of totoaba products, including within the framework of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the development of a Terms of Reference for the Trilateral Law Enforcement Contact Group, and strongly recommends that the State Party of Mexico, together with the transit and destination countries, continue these efforts to establish the Trilateral Law Enforcement Contact Group and take urgent action in line with all CITES decisions to effectively address the illegal totoaba bladder trade;
- Further welcomes the ongoing retrieval of abandoned fishing gear, including through collaboration with civil society organizations, and again urges the State Party to continue these efforts alongside surveillance and law enforcement to ensure that the Zero Tolerance Area (ZTA) is completely free of gill nets;
- Notes with appreciation the novel mechanism to deter illegal fishing through sunken seabed hooks, and also requests the State Party to assess and monitor the efficacy of this technique alongside regular maintenance to ensure that trapped nets are removed from the hooks and do not become a source of entanglement for vaquita and other marine species;
- Also reiterates its request to the State Party to urgently expedite the production and deployment of alternative gear and provide information to the World Heritage Centre on the uptake of alternative gear across all fishing communities of the Upper Gulf of California;
- Urges the State Party to implement, with utmost priority, all of the corrective measures for the property and approves the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) proposed by the State Party in its January 2024 state of conservation report on the property, including the following indicators:
- Sustainable fisheries based on legal fishing gear systems that do not cause entanglement of marine mammals, sharks and turtles have been successfully adopted and modified as necessary in the property, the “Upper Gulf of California Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve (marine portion)” in particular, in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders,
- As an attribute of the OUV of the property, the vaquita species population has been increasing for at least 5 years, individuals appear healthy and are producing calves,
- The property is effectively protected from illegal fishing activities through increased surveillance and prosecution of illegal acts,
- The Vaquita Refuge and the “Upper Gulf of California - Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve (marine portion)” are free of illegal fishing gear, while the use, sale, possession, manufacture, and transport of gillnets has been eliminated, including among the surrounding communities,
- International cooperation is operating systematically to combat illegal totoaba fish poaching and trafficking;
- Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2025, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 47th session;
- Decides to retain Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (Mexico) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Mexico
Documents examined by the Committee
46COM (2024)Exports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
