SEMARNAT, SEPESCA, fishing industry, Academy and Pronatura Noroeste lead an effort to save this vital ecosystem in Mexico only found on the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula.
At Pronatura Noroeste we believe that the key environmental challenges can only be tackled with the union of desires. Today we are part of an historic effort: the restoration of Kelp forest in Baja California peninsula, a vital ecosystem for fishing and well-being of coastal communities, which has suffered a drastic reduction in the last decade.
On September 30th of 2025, in Ensenada, take place the first workshop of the Programa Nacional de Restauracion Ambiental 2025-2030 (PNRA), promoted by Secretaria del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT). This gathering started the construction of Plan de Accion de Restauracion (PAR) to Kelp forests, with participation of authorities, fishing industry, academics, civil organizations, and technical experts.
The crisis of a vital ecosystem
Laura Ibarra Garcia, coordinator of Pesca Sostenible in Pronatura Noroeste, explained that in the last decade the Kelp forests have lost up to 90% of their coverage in some areas due to marine heatwaves. These forests support a high level of biodiversity, including high-value commercial species such as abalone, lobster, sea urchins, and various species of scale fish.
She emphasized that degradation of ecosystems directly affects fisheries, thousands of jobs, and the environmental services provided by these ecosystems, such as protection against extreme tides. Therefore, the recovery of this habitat is not only an environmental issue, but also an economic and social one.
Coordination between sectors, the key to the process
At Pronatura Noroeste we are convinced that the strength of this project lies in the coordinations. The core group is composed of SEMARNAT, Secretaria de Pesca y Aquacultura de Baja California (SEPESCA) and the Frente de Permisionarios Organizados del Sector Social Pesquero (Organized Permit Holders Front of the Social Fisheries Sector), which represents approximately 40% of the coastal fishing sector on the Pacific coast of the state.
Precisely, this front drew attention to the problem by presenting its restoration proposal directly to Alicia Barcena secretary of the Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Environment and Natural Resources).
These leadership efforts are joined by researchers with a long track record in marine studies, who have even collaborated on binational projects with colleagues from California, as well as civil society organizations that have sought funding for restoration and training initiatives.
At Pronatura Noroeste we participate as part of the facilitation team, supporting the coordination of the core group, the logistics of the workshops and the collaborations with experts such as Richard Cudney, a specialist in strategic planning who is assisting in the development of the Action Plan.
A preceding for Mexico
The Sustainable Fishing coordinator of Pronatura Noroeste underscores that the principal challenge will be to achieve all existing initiatives – academic, fishing, governmental and social- be coordinated into a regional action plan that consolidate strategies and multiple results.
This effort represents an historical event because it is the first time that the Kelp forests is recognized at federal level as a priority ecosystem for the fishing and coastal fishing communities.
At Pronatura Noroeste we are convinced that this collective effort is the right way. The restoration of Kelp forest will not only bring life back to the unique ecosystem but also strengthen food security employment and the resilience of the communities that depend on fishing along the pacific coast of Baja California peninsula.
Translated by: Perla Mendoza & Itzel Romero
Reviewed and edited by: Daleth Aguilar
