Marine Tourism in Mexico Remains Damaging to Wildlife Despite Regulations, Research Finds

Every December, hundreds of humpback whales arrive at Bahía de Banderas, a warm and turquoise bay nestled along Mexico’s western coast, right where the states of Jalisco and Nayarit meet. Following a long voyage from the cold seas of Alaska, the whales mate, give birth and nurture their calves in the bay before heading back north at the end of March.

“Bahía de Banderas is the most important reproduction site for humpback whales along Mexico’s continental coastline,” said Iyari Espinoza, a marine biologist and Ph.D. student at the University of Guadalajara. The bay is also home to Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit, two resort areas that have witnessed explosive growth over the last couple of decades.

Indeed, tens of thousands of tourists visiting Bahía de Banderas will go on whale w