Fernando González Villarreal, director of the Regional Center for Water Security (CERSHI), stated that the Gulf of California requires financing of 600 million pesos each year to stop the reduction of freshwater flows, overfishing, pollution and other problems that threaten its viability.
“In terms of financing, annual needs are estimated to be between 400 million pesos and 600 million pesos, which is why the creation of a Fund for the Sustainability of the Gulf of California is being analyzed,” explained the representative of the organization sponsored by UNAM and UNESCO.
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The Fund for the Sustainability of the Gulf of California will be financed with contributions from the main economic activities of the Gulf of California so as not to depend exclusively on fiscal resources, said the researcher within the framework of the panel. Towards the sustainable development of the Gulf of Californiaorganized by the CICM.
Today the main threats facing the Gulf of California are the 80 percent reduction in freshwater flows since 1930, as well as the annual dumping of around 460 thousand tons of nitrogen and fertilizers, he declared.
The Gulf of California is also affected by overfishing of more than one million tons of sardines per year, the presence of 142 mining tailings dams—many of them abandoned—and the increase of one degree Celsius in sea surface temperature in the last century as a consequence of climate change, considered the environmental expert.
The specialist stressed that the challenges faced by the Gulf of California require long-term planning, institutional changes and innovative solutions to guarantee the human right to water and regional development.
The Gulf of California has an area of 157 thousand square kilometers and is home to nearly 6 million inhabitants in Mexico, in addition to 30 million in the Colorado River basin in the United States.
It is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and concentrates one of the country’s greatest ecological riches: 5,700 endemic species, 22 RAMSAR sites, 24 protected natural areas and 42 priority areas for terrestrial biodiversity.
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In the economic sphere, he highlighted that regional agriculture generates around 77 billion pesos annually, with 14 irrigation districts, 136 thousand users and 1.4 million cultivated hectares, which contribute 50 percent of the national production of wheat and 25 percent of corn.
In fishing and aquaculture, the region concentrates 70 percent of the national sardine catch and 80 percent of shrimp production. In addition, it receives about 5 million tourists a year, with an approximate revenue of one billion dollars, and mining represents 11 percent of the regional GDP.
Mauricio Jessurun Solomou, president of the College of Civil Engineers of Mexico CICM, highlighted that the Gulf of California is a strategic region due to its environmental, social and economic wealth, but also because of the complexity of the challenges it faces.
“What happens in this region directly impacts Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora and Sinaloa, and is reflected in key issues such as the availability of water for human consumption, fishing, mining, urban growth, as well as agriculture and industry,” he noted.
The businessman said that this project opens the opportunity to build solutions based on scientific evidence, with an inclusive and environmentally responsible vision, which is why he called for joining efforts and support.
He recalled that the Action for Sustainability of the Gulf of California project is being promoted, in coordination with Banobras, Conagua and the UNAM Engineering Institute.
The plan seeks the creation of the Network of Friends of the Gulf of California, a monitoring and evaluation system with impact indicators, the characterization of freshwater, saltwater and contaminant flows and the evaluation of the impact of desalination plants
Sectoral infrastructure programs, a financial and governance system, and communication and capacity development strategies are contemplated.
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Derived from the analysis of sectoral infrastructure programs, priority investments were identified to reduce the discharge of pollutants, particularly in the agricultural sector. The Regional Irrigation Infrastructure Program estimates an investment of 70 billion pesos for the 14 irrigation districts, which would reduce nitrogen discharge to the Gulf by 30 percent and save 1.2 billion cubic meters of water per year.
