Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The University Center of the Coast of the University of Guadalajara (CUCosta) recently hosted the presentation of the results from the second edition of Swim for Whales. The event reported surpassing the fundraising goal of one million pesos (approximately $50,000 USD) through swims and donations. These funds will be allocated to six vital environmental projects focused on marine conservation and education.
Building on this momentum of positive action, CUCosta has pledged its support to the Zero Plastics initiative, aiming to significantly reduce plastic use within the university community. This aligns perfectly with Nado por las Ballenas’ mission to combat ocean pollution, spearheaded by open water swimmer Stephanie Montero.
Dr. Jorge Téllez López, Rector of CUCosta, expressed his gratitude for the university’s selection as a platform for such crucial environmental initiatives. He acknowledged the importance of protecting the region’s magnificent bay, especially in light of recent natural disasters in Acapulco. Dr. Téllez emphasized the interconnectedness of marine and terrestrial environments, highlighting CUCosta’s team of 80 researchers across various disciplines who will be instrumental in environmental analysis and research efforts.
Recognizing the need for broader outreach, Dr. Téllez announced CUCosta’s internal efforts to reduce plastic consumption. He acknowledged the need for improved communication and collaboration to achieve this goal, praising the impactful work of Swim for Whales in mobilizing collective action.
Stephanie Montero, founder of Nado por las Ballenas, then shared the project’s origin and its impressive achievement of exceeding the fundraising target in its second year. This success, she attributed to the formation of strong alliances and the collective efforts of over 100 sponsors.
The six projects receiving financial support encompass a range of critical areas: whale watching surveillance (CONANP), environmental education (Mi Bahía y Yo: Environmental Education Project by Biólogos Marinos.org), bay conservation (Bahía Cero campaign by Rigoberto Pedroza), whale disentanglement (ECOBAC-Astrid Frish), ghost net removal (Professor Karla Ríos), and coral reef restoration and monitoring (Dr. Amilcar Cupul Magaña). Notably, Dr. Cupul Magaña is a senior research professor at CUCosta’s Coastal Research Center.
In recognition of CUCosta’s commitment to reducing plastic consumption, Dr. Téllez was presented with a medal. This initiative, spearheaded by Doctors Liza Danielle Kelly Gutiérrez and Marcela de Niz Villaseñor, serves as a commendable example for other academic institutions and corporations to emulate. Dr. Téllez shared the honor by requesting the medal be extended to Amílcar Cupul, Karla Ríos, Marcela De Niz Villaseñor, Liza Danielle Kelly, and Astrid Frisch in recognition of their invaluable contributions.
The event concluded with Dr. Téllez expressing his support for the metropolitan maritime mobility project, a collaborative effort between Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas governments. He emphasized the importance of open dialogue with environmental groups to incorporate their perspectives into this critical initiative.
CUCosta’s partnership with Nado por las Ballenas signifies a significant stride towards a healthier marine environment. Through collaborative efforts, educational initiatives, and reduced plastic consumption, this united front paves the way for a brighter future for our oceans.
Your local news matters. Banderas News is your trusted source for information, keeping you informed about the issues that affect your daily life. Unlike other news outlets, we believe news should be free and accessible to everyone. Your contribution helps us maintain this commitment and continue serving our community.