Complejo San Ignacio

Complejo San Ignacio is located in the community of San Ignacio, Municipality of Mulegé, in the State of Baja California Sur. The complex includes the lagoons of San Ignacio, El Coyote, and La Bocana. The site is part of the Biosphere Reserve “El Viscaíno” (REBIVI). The San Ignacio wetland complex hosts 22 species of shorebirds, including more than 23% of the estimated world population of Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) and 11% of the Western Snowy Plover population (Charadrius nivosus) during the winter. Other species with regionally important populations here include American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates); Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americana); Willet (Tringa semipalmata); and a Red Knot subspecies (Calidris canutus roselaari). WHSRN Site partners include the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve; National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP); Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS); and Pronatura Noroeste.

The site has the following recognitions: Priority wetland in Mexico (USFWS 2005); Priority Wetland for Waterfowl in Mexico (DUMAC 2004); Priority Wetland for Shorebirds in Mexico (DUMAC 2004); Area of Importance for the Conservation of Birds (CIPAMEX, CONABIO, CEC, FMCN 2004); Priority Area for Marine and Coastal Conservation in Mexico (RMP 02 Vizcaíno, CONABIO 1998); Priority Area for Land Conservation in Mexico (RTP 05 El Vizcaíno-El Barril, CONABIO 2000); Ramsar site, included in the “El Vizcaíno” Biosphere Reserve (REBIVI 1988); World Heritage Site (UNESCO 1993) and Whale Sanctuary of “El Vizcaino” by UNESCO’s World Heritage.

Poor waste management by informal human settlements in the areas adjacent to the lagoons: there are informal human settlements near the site, which are essentially fishing camps. It is necessary to increase efforts to manage solid waste coming from these settlements, in order to establish solid waste management, and wastewater treatment as a priority to avoid impacts that could directly affect the site.

Illegal fishing: in recent years, fishing has increased within the lagoons. The regulation of fisheries falls within the legal framework of the Reserve, but illegal fishing has not been completely controlled. To meet the management goals of this site, scientific studies of the harvested fish species need to be conducted, and the use of these fisheries must be managed, administered, and monitored.