Pronatura Noroeste, SEMARNAT, state government personnel, the San Felipe Municipality, Pesca Alternativa de Baja California, CEDO Intercultural, and local students joined forces to clean 3.3 kilometers of shoreline during the 2025 National Coastal and Beach Cleanup Campaign.
More than a ton of waste was collected along 3.3 kilometers of beach in San Felipe, Baja California.
This effort was coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) through the 2025 National Coastal and Beach Cleanup Campaign, held within the framework of World Environment Day on June 5th.
It is meant to raise awareness about the importance of keeping beaches plastic-free. The event not only took place in San Felipe, but in four other coastal states in Mexico simultaneously: Jalisco, Guerrero, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán.
At Pronatura Noroeste, we participated in the cleanup alongside SEMARNAT, the Government of Baja California, the San Felipe Municipality, civil society organizations such as Pesca Alternativa de Baja California, CEDO Intercultural, the student community, Navy personnel, CONANP, and other collaborators.
Altogether, approximately 620 people took part in collecting up to 1,140.4 kilograms of waste, including:
- 404 kg of plastic
- 202.6 kg of glass
- 75.1 kg of rubble
- 9.9 kg of metal
- 13.4 kg of organic material
- 198 kg of wood
- 35.3 kg of cardboard
- 177.2 kg of discarded fishing gear
- 9.9 kg of aluminum
- 15 kg of tires
“I attribute the cleanup taking place in San Felipe to the particular challenges in this area of the Upper Gulf. It is one of the most closely monitored regions in terms of vaquita conservation and illegal fishing. Moreover, since it is located within a Natural Protected Area, keeping our beaches free from discarded fishing gear is a priority. I think this is a great place to strengthen these types of campaigns and raise awareness among the community’s youth and children,” said Anabel Espinoza, community leader and liaison for Pronatura Noroeste in San Felipe.
SEMARNAT’s goal is to reduce single-use plastic pollution on Mexico’s beaches, which amounts to 15,000 tons per day nationwide.
Cleanup Efforts in San Felipe Will Continue
At Pronatura Noroeste, we have long worked on the beaches of San Felipe for restoration and conservation through recurring community cleanup events. Up to three waste collection campaigns are carried out annually, focusing particularly on abandoned fishing gear.
In 2024 alone, more than 200 kilograms of discarded net fragments, around 150 kilograms of glass, and over 50 kilograms of cardboard were collected.
Our work has involved gathering garbage, sorting it, and preparing it for processing by the San Felipe Municipality.
Cleaning our beaches is one of Pronatura Noroeste’s highest priorities, as the health of our seas and their biodiversity depend on it.
Translated by: César Egüez.
Reviewed and edited by: G. Rubio.
