Underwater Gardens of Vega Baja y Manatí Designated as Marine Reserve

The marine reserve protects 43,700 acres of Elkhorn coral and habitat for an abundance of marine wildlife. Surfrider supported the creation of the marine reserve through community organizing and grassroots advocacy. This marine reserve will conserve and protect marine biodiversity, fragile ecosystems, and endangered species. In addition, it will serve as a beacon of sustainability, scientific research, and environmental education. It will promote the proper utilization of the ecosystem thus attracting economic development to the area. 

Benefits of the Vega Baja y Manatí Marine Reserve:

• Biodiversity Conservation: Our seas are home to a rich diversity of marine life, from corals and fish to marine mammals. The marine reserve will help conserve these species and their habitats.
• Ecosystem Recovery: Many marine ecosystems have been affected by pollution and overfishing. The marine reserve will provide a protected environment for the recovery of these ecosystems.
• Scientific Research: The marine reserve will provide unprecedented opportunities for scientific research, helping us to better understand the oceans and their role in regulating climate and the health of the planet.
• Sustainable Tourism: The marine reserve can encourage sustainable tourism, which would generate income for local communities and promote environmental awareness.

Throughout the designated area, important coral cultivation and restoration projects are being carried out. In 2011, Surfrider's partners VIDAS and SAM were the first to install coral culture units and transplants in Vega Baja y Manatí. Using natural fragmentation in this area, fragmentation has been translated to the Isla Verde and Escambrón Reef Reserve as well as others in the archipelago.