Sea Shepherd and Mexican Navy Expand Partnership to Protect More Waters

The Secretariat of the Navy announces that today, a Collaboration Agreement was signed with the international non-governmental organization (NGO) Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to protect the marine environment and monitor protected natural areas.

The signing took place at the headquarters of the institution, where Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, Secretary of the Navy, and Pritam Singh, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, formalized the agreement. The objective is to promote joint actions in Mexico’s marine zones to support the protection of the marine environment and the monitoring of protected natural areas. This collaboration contributes to the effective enforcement of national laws related to ocean governance and maritime law, as well as international treaties to which Mexico is a party.

The agreement stipulates that joint actions will be carried out by mutual agreement, within the scope of each party’s responsibilities, and in compliance with the national legal framework.

As part of this initiative, the Secretariat of the Navy and Sea Shepherd will work together to protect and monitor key areas, including the Zero Tolerance Area and the Vaquita Refuge in the Upper Gulf of California. The partnership also allows for the potential deployment of additional surface units and the enhancement of technology for the early detection of illegal fishing nets. Additionally, efforts will be expanded to strengthen the protection of the Bajos del Norte and Arrecife Alacranes National Parks in the Gulf of Mexico, with the establishment of infrastructure to support these objectives.

For Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Pritam Singh emphasized that collaboration with the Secretariat of the Navy has been exceptional. This partnership has reinforced and expanded efforts into new areas such as Arrecife Alacranes and Bajos del Norte in the Gulf of Mexico, where the successful model applied in the Upper Gulf of California will be replicated. As part of this agreement, Sea Shepherd will provide SEMAR with monitoring tools to support its exclusive protection and surveillance duties.

The Secretariat of the Navy, as the National Maritime Authority, remains committed to collaboration with national and international institutions to monitor and protect the marine environment. In this effort, naval personnel conduct inspections and carry out surveillance and reconnaissance operations to preserve protected natural areas and safeguard endangered species.

Through these actions, the Secretariat of the Navy, via the Mexican Navy, and the international NGO Sea Shepherd Conservation Society will continue working together to protect the marine environment and strengthen the monitoring of protected natural areas.