Mexico and France have united to launch Mexico’s first virtual marine observatory in one of the world’s most vast and diverse eco-systems, the Sea of Cortez. The Jacques Cousteau observatory was conceived to further scientific research on human impact and global warming on Mexico’s baja peninsula and plans to help enforce laws that protect Mexico’s beaches according to officials from France and Mexico. The observatory will exchange costal and oceanic data between Europe and Mexicon stated french ambassador Daniel Parfait. “There is no other country in the world with which France has developed this type of information-sharing observatory” Parfait said at a press conference. “We
are hoping that it will be a prototype for other bi-national marine observatories across the globe.”
This observatory will include information compiled from Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology (CONACTY), the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMANART), the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Northwest Center for Biological Research (CIBNOR) as well as several studies and reports from different academic institutions throughout Mexico.
France’s data will come from the Cousteau Foundation, the Cousteau Foundation Society, the university of Nantes and the university of Montpelier. “The idea is that the observatory will collect and concentrate information on crucial global issues such as red tides, over-fishing and climate changes induced by human activity” said CONACYT general director Juan Carlos Romero.

The Jacques Cousteau Observatory was named after the famous french marine biologist, naval officer and underwater explorer. Cousteau spend considerable time at the baja peninsula during his expeditions and called the Sea of Cortez “The World’s Aquarium” due to its rich and diverse marine life and both – tropical and subtropical – waters.
The observatory grew out of a Mexican plan to name a small island after the explorer. Mexican president Felipe Calderon approved the name for the small island while the observatory project rapidly expands with numerous french research institutes involved.
Rosa Delia Cota, the major of La Paz where the first observatory will be said that the information provided by the shared research will be vital in helping the state of Baja California Sur and La Paz choose economic development projects that will not destroy the delicate ecosystem.The first observatory by CIBNOR (Center of Scientific Reserach of the Northwest) in La Paz. It was inaugurated on June 22 with a bi-national seminar of 3 days of marine and costal studies in La Paz.
“We are taking the vast wealth of information that has been gathered in Mexico and combining it with the amplified experiences and expertise of french marine scientists’ said Sergio Hernandez, the head of CIBNOR.

Related posts:

1. Mexico Police nab notorious drug lord Mexican federal police captured Teodoro García Simental, a drug...
2. Tropical Storm Patricia headed for Baja Sur Tropical Storm Patricia headed for a drenching of Mexico’s...
3. La Paz Foundation Fair and Festival While La Paz was first inhabited by Neolithic hunter-gatherers...
4. Auto Insurance La Paz – Mexico Insurance La Paz Mexico Insurance – car, boat, house – provided...

Fall 2010 coming to La Paz: 43rd SCORE Tecate Baja 1000.