Episode 5: Whales of Guerrero

Today we will be speaking with Katherina Audley, project founder and director of Whales of Guerrero.  Whales of Guerrero began in 2013 to generate needed research of humpback whales in the state of Guerrero, Mexico as well as to partner with the local community to find ways to restore the declining marine ecosystem.   Overall, Mexico ranks second in the world in mammal biodiversity with 438 species.  Guerrero itself is the fourth most biodiverse state in Mexico.  It hosts two different sub-populations of humpback whales who mate and calf in this region, one of which is only about 400 individuals in all. The village of Barra de Potosi located in Guerrero, and the areas surrounding it, including Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa, Troncones, and Petatlan, are threatened by environmental degradation due to pollution, quick and unmonitored mega-tourism development, overfishing, and climate change. Before the Whales of Guerrero began, there had never been any scientific information collected about whales and many other marine species in this region.  Therefore, Whales of Guerrero aims to increase awareness about the whales and other marine life in the region such as manta rays, dolphins, and sea turtles as well as creating responsible whale and other marine life tourism programs.  As this is first and foremost originally a fishing region, fishermen have been encountering a decline in the local fish populations over the past 15 years, threatening their livelihood.  Whales of Guerrero has been working with the local fishermen to develop responsible marine ecotourism tours as a means of an alternative income.  Katherina will share her top ten tips for successful integrated conservation projects within other cultures, why interconnection with others and nature is so important, and how co-creating a vision with local communities could serve as a flagship for other conservation projects to flourish.  Whales of Guerrero expeditions up and running! https://www.whalesinmexico.com/get-involved/volunteer-vacations/Here is a link to support the work of Whales of Guerrero: https://www.whalesinmexico.com/donate-now/And here’s where to sign up to receive updates:https://www.whalesinmexico.com/about/news/Website: http://www.wildforchange.comTwitter: @WildForChangeFacebook: /wildforchangeInstagram: wildforchange