The Patagonia region of Argentina is famed for its craggy peaks and rugged mountain scenery, but the area is also home to a rich marine landscape along its coasts. Last week, UNESCO took a major step toward protecting the area by designating it as the Blue Patagonia Biosphere Reserve. The Reserve was designed and proposed by the Government of Argentina and the Global Penguin Society led by Dr. Pablo Borboroglu, a past guest speaker at WCN’s Wildlife Conservation Expo.
The new reserve stretches 24 nautical miles offshore, meaning that 58% of its area is marine. It is placed on the coastal section of Argentina that has the highest biodiversity, with 31 species of terrestrial mammals, 36 species of marine mammals, 67 species of seabirds, 65 species of terrestrial birds, and 83 species of fish. There is also petrified forest and historical features such as old European shipwrecks.
UNESCO’s designation means that the Argentinian government must meet conservation guidelines to maintain the new status of the reserve. The government has new commitments to meet that prevent uses of the land that could harm the environment. The designation also helps to push the creation of other Protected Areas within the boundaries of the biosphere.