Drive Around the World: Education Site North America

	Center for Coastal Studies School for Field Studies http://www.fieldstudies.org
	Baja California Sur, Mexico Longitude: 113º 23' W Latitude: 25º 15' N Visited On: 11/15/03
The Drive Around the World team visits the Center for Coastal Studies in Bahía Magdalena. At the Center for Coastal Studies researchers and students explore conservation strategies to protect several marine turtle populations reduced to near-extinction as a result of illegal exploitation and incidental capture. Marine turtles are exploited for their meat and eggs and are frequently harvested unintentionally as by-catch. Researchers and students interview fisherman, explore changes in fishing technology and collect and analyze catch data to develop reliable advice for the regulators and harvesters on more sustainable management strategies for the fisheries of Bahía Magdalena. What we learned from the visit 11/15/03 For many people in Mexico, eating turtle meat is as natural as Americans eating hamburgers. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to convince Americans to give up eating hamburgers? Fernando continues his efforts to increase awareness of turtle and marine populations, and he hopes he'll see the day when the turtle populations begin to increase. More >>

Questions:

Name: Jesseka

School: Vejar

Grade: 5

Asked...
Question: How does it feel to travel around, and how are the cultures like.
Answer: It is an amazing experience to travel around the world and look at the different cultures. When you are driving you get to see the gradual changes between countries; the gradual physical changes, the changes in diet, and the changes in environment. You also get a sense of what the natural boundaries are that have divided cultures. Usually when you cross a border you have to cross rivers or mountain passes. This is what naturally divides geographical areas. People's Diet depends on what can grow in the area in which they are living. For instance, you can't grow rice at really high elevations, so in Peru and Bolivia the eat a lot potatoes.

Name: Roberto Garcia

School: Montebello High School

Grade: sophmore

Asked...
Question: What is being done to preserve the turtle populations?
Answer: A Marine preserve has been created to help protect turtle environments. Teams of people have been sent into villages in order to publicize and educate people about the growing problem. Legislation has been put in place to protect the turtles. Poachers will be faced with strict fines if they are caught hunting or in possession of turtle meat.

Name: Jim Bass

School: Charlotte Wood middle school

Grade: 8

Asked...
Question: Why are there so many differnt types of whales in the Sea of Cortez?
Answer: The Sea of Cortez is a narrow but very dynamic ocean. It is biologically productive and rich in marine life so there is plenty of food available for the many different kinds of whales who visit and live there. Lastly and very importantly, the Mexican people have been working very hard at protecting these species so they feel comfortable and safe in our bays and oceans. This protection has made our Sea of Cortez one of the richest in marine mammal diversity.

Name: Charles Bento

School: Wilson High School

Grade: junior

Asked...
Question: Why are the turtles disappearing?
Answer: The turtle populations have been disappearing due to over overhunting (a high demand for their meat) and fishing practices that trap sea turtles. Modern fishing equipment is able to save many of the turtles, however, money is not readily available to purchase new types of fishing equipment that will reduce the number of turtle deaths caused by fishing.

Name:	Jesseka
School:	Vejar
Grade:	5
Asked... Question: How does it feel to travel around, and how are the cultures like. Answer: It is an amazing experience to travel around the world and look at the different cultures. When you are driving you get to see the gradual changes between countries; the gradual physical changes, the changes in diet, and the changes in environment. You also get a sense of what the natural boundaries are that have divided cultures. Usually when you cross a border you have to cross rivers or mountain passes. This is what naturally divides geographical areas. People's Diet depends on what can grow in the area in which they are living. For instance, you can't grow rice at really high elevations, so in Peru and Bolivia the eat a lot potatoes.

Name:	Roberto Garcia
School:	Montebello High School
Grade:	sophmore
Asked... Question: What is being done to preserve the turtle populations? Answer: A Marine preserve has been created to help protect turtle environments. Teams of people have been sent into villages in order to publicize and educate people about the growing problem. Legislation has been put in place to protect the turtles. Poachers will be faced with strict fines if they are caught hunting or in possession of turtle meat.

Name:	Jim Bass
School:	Charlotte Wood middle school
Grade:	8
Asked... Question: Why are there so many differnt types of whales in the Sea of Cortez? Answer: The Sea of Cortez is a narrow but very dynamic ocean. It is biologically productive and rich in marine life so there is plenty of food available for the many different kinds of whales who visit and live there. Lastly and very importantly, the Mexican people have been working very hard at protecting these species so they feel comfortable and safe in our bays and oceans. This protection has made our Sea of Cortez one of the richest in marine mammal diversity.

Name:	Charles Bento
School:	Wilson High School
Grade:	junior
Asked... Question: Why are the turtles disappearing? Answer: The turtle populations have been disappearing due to over overhunting (a high demand for their meat) and fishing practices that trap sea turtles. Modern fishing equipment is able to save many of the turtles, however, money is not readily available to purchase new types of fishing equipment that will reduce the number of turtle deaths caused by fishing.