ROC

ABOUT ROC

Red de Observadores Ciudadanos A.C. (ROC) is a non-profit, civil society organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of the marine environment in the Bay of La Paz, Baja California Sur.

We work towards a sustainable relationship between citizens and the marine environment in the Bay of La Paz.

OUR HISTORY

Based in La Paz, ROC was created by a merger of the La Paz Coastkeeper and the Citizen Observers of La Paz in 2013.
The mission of the La Paz Coastkeeper is to monitor water quality in the Bay of La Paz and the Citizen Observers of La Paz was created to stop illegal fishing activities in the Bay of La Paz.

Sharing the goal of protecting the Bay of La Paz and the people who depend on its health, the La Paz Coastkeeper and the Citizen Observers merged to form Red de Observadores Ciudadanos.

ROC, well know amongst civil organizations, authorities, fishermen and scientific experts, gathers valuable data relating to social and environmental indicators that provide valuable information used to carry out vigilance and verification strategies critical to compliance and enforcement.

In 2018, ROC received formal recognition by The National Commission for Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) for its conservation work. (see here).

OUR MISSION

To protect the natural and marine resources through citizen surveillance
in the Bay of La Paz, including its Protected Natural
Areas and priority marine sites in
the Gulf of California.

Who we are

ROC is a pioneering organization in advancing citizen participation for the protection and management of our natural resources.

ROC has the experience and knowledge in the use of the natural resources with more than 10 years conducting surveillance on the water and increase in compliance and the gathering of evidence to support in the Natural Protected Areas among tourists, tourist service providers and fishermen. When actions are carried out in collaboration with state and federal authorities, the result is the reduction of irregularities with evidence secured in support of penalties.

We are a reference for citizens on the condition of water quality for recreational beaches in La Paz, communicating this information through different platforms and social networks and educating users on good practices for the use and protection of marine resources.

At ROC we connect the concerns and interests of the common citizen with the private, public and social sector, bringing together experts who in combination with our intimate knowledge of the Bay and its Protected Natural Areas, complement the actions of government authorities.

We work every day to be a spokesperson for the needs of the marine ecosystem of the Bay of La Paz and for the interests of our local citizens. We invest our talent and energy in designing innovative and comprehensive citizen participation strategies that further the conservation of our common natural heritage.

A CITIZEN
OBSERVER IS...

The Network of Citizen Observers A.C. It is the space where Any citizen interested in the care and sustainability of the Bay of La Paz can participate and influence favorably; through citizen complaints, access to information on the health of the bay or participating in specific strategies (beach cleaning, disclosure of environmental values and observance of current regulations).

A citizen observer perceives what happens in his immediate circumference, a circle that navigates with the observer at every moment. So it is the direct participation of citizens in environmental monitoring that is the core for the protection and sustainable development of the environment and its elements natural.

A citizen observatory increases the level of interest, awareness and understanding of environmental problems and scenarios, in such a way that users of nature can make informed decisions.

TEAM ROCSTAR

The Gulf of California and its natural bounty is the main character of this story in the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage. Team ROCSTAR is a distinguished group of passionate seekers of solutions to problems that human activity generates and that can only be overcome by designing innovative conservation strategies with adherence to the rule of law. In this way, we direct all our effort and skills towards looking after the interests of the sea and all who depend on her.

Staff

Vessels

Board of Directors

María Ugarte
Executive Director

Alberto Guillén
Operations Director

Héctor Trinidad Melendez
Project Coordinator

José Luis Ceseña Calderón
Boat Captain

Ricardo Calderón Amador
Boat Captain

Máximo Valentín Pérez
Boat Captain

Luis Alberto Mejía Cota
Techincal Advisor

Alberto Francisco Rodríguez
Communications Director

Elizabeth Pastora Álvarez Ramos
Administrative Coordinator

Elizabeth Ramos García
Accountant

Ramiro Arcos Aguilar
Database Analyst

Dueño de la Noche
Length 26 feet
Suzuki 140 HP engine

Conducts day and night surveillance to the Espírito Santo Archipelago National Park and the the Balandra Flora and Fauna Protection Area and is also used for special operations at the request of the federal regulatory authorities as well as for transportation of volunteers in support of ROC’s work.

ROCSTAR
Length 26 feet
Suzuki 140 HP engine

Conducts day and night missions south of La Paz to Cerralvo Island, La Ventana, El Sargento, Punta Perico, Ensenada de Muertos, from Agua Amarga to El Cardonal, to monitor and report on irregular fishing and tourist activities.

Dueña del Mar
Length 26 feet
Suzuki 175 HP engine

Conducts mainly night operations with armed authorities (SEMAR) and federal inspectors of CONAPESCA and PROFEPA performing surveillance of illegal fishing and irregular tourist activities to Espiritu Santo Archipelago Marine Zone National Park, Balandra Flora and Fauna Protection Area and San José Island.

Lorenzo José de Rosenzweig Pasquel
President

María Ugarte
Advisor

Amy Hudson Weaver
Treasurer

Alejandro Robles
Advisor

Francisco José Loubet Valenzuela
Advisor

Neil "Daniel" Shroyer
Advisor

¡Thank your support!

Sherry Shaffer
Honorary Advisor

Mike McGettigan
Honorary Advisor

Neil "Daniel"
Shroyer

Advisor

Born in Mazatlán Sinaloa in 1964, and raised in La Paz since 1967, he went to the local schools, and then on to get a degree in Business Administration from Humboldt State University. Currently he is the Operations Manager of Marina de La Paz, a family owned Marina in La Paz, BCS Mexico, which was established in 1984.

He is married and has two children.

Aside from the marina he is active in the local community as a Board Member of the La Paz, Hotel and Tourism Services Association: (EMPRHOTUR), Board Member of the La Paz Tourism Council (CONTUPAZ), President of the Mexican Marina Association, AMMT, ex-president and member of the board of directors of the local chapter of COPARMEX and one of 5 members of the recently created Consejo Consultivo de Transparencia y Accesso a la Información for Baja California Sur.

Lorenzo José
de Rosenzweig Pasquel

Advisor

Lorenzo J. de Rosenzweig Pasquel has 35+ years of experience in the environmental and conservation finance field. As former President (CEO) of the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature (a $160 million endowment Conservation Trust Fund), a position he held for more than 25 years, and Chairman of the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (a $35 million endowment Regional Conservation Trust Fund), for more than 17 years (2003-2020), he has acquired extensive experience in fundraising and execution of capital campaigns, and the operation and funding of biodiversity conservation, environmental research, regional development and capacity building projects. He has also contributed to the design and incorporation of learning and practice networks for the National Environmental Funds of Latin America and the Caribbean (RedLAC) and 3 additional communities of practice in, coral restoration, regenerative ranching and marine conservation.

He is a member of several boards and advisory councils, including the Conservation Finance Alliance (CFA) Executive Committee, The Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), The Mesoamerican Reef Fund, The Healthy Reefs Initiative, The Fund for Communication and Environmental Education, the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Conservation and Exploration Fund, and, from 2012 to 2019, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). In the latter, he brought the Latin American perspective to global development issues linked to biodiversity and natural resources.

His current institutional platform, which he founded in February 2020, is Terra Habitus A.C., a regional environmental fund for Northern México focused on private lands conservation, regenerative ranching and strategic communication.

Lorenzo has a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Engineering (1976) from the Monterrey Technological Institute (ITESM) and a Master in Science degree in Marine Biology and Seafood Technology (1977) from Oregon State University. Fields of expertise include biology, ichtiology, ornithology, natural sciences, environmental engineering, corporate sustainability reporting, food science and toxicology, as well as leadership and capacity building, impact investing, financial investment and asset management. He is fluent in English and Spanish, has basic German language skills, is an artist and scientific illustrator and a Certified Nitrox and Recreational Diver.

He has also contributed to more than 30 books and capacity building tools and publications, and has participated in several field guides as wildlife illustrator and photographer.

Updated, June 2020.

Alejandro
Robles

Advisor

Alejandro Robles is president of Noroeste Sustentable (NOS), which he co-founded in 2004. For the past thirty five years, he has been working to build networks of collaboration among key public, private, and civil-society stakeholders to achieve sustainability of coastal communities in northwestern Mexico.

Mr. Robles received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the ITESM-Campus Guaymas, Sonora, in 1982. In 1994, he received the Pronatura National Conservation Award for his efforts to establish the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve. He has served as executive director of the Mexico Program at Conservation International (CI) and, and as vice president of CI for Mexico and Central America.

In 1997, he received a Rockefeller Fellowship to participate in the Leadership for the Environment and Development (LEAD) program, which enabled him to approach conservation and development challenges from a multicultural and multi-stakeholder perspective. In 2001, he received a fellowship award from The Pew Program in Marine Conservation with focus on mitigation of negative impacts of the shrimp bottom-trawling industry in the Gulf of California. Since 2010, he is a member of the Society for Organizational Learning has adopted a systems thinking approach and organizational learning principles to restore the social, environmental and economic dimension in small scale fishing communities.

Francisco José
Loubet Valenzuela

Consejero

Nací un 5 de diciembre de 1957 en Navojoa, Sonora y volví a nacer un 5 de diciembre de 1969 cuando arribé a estas tierras sudcalifornianas que me han dado tanto.

Me enamoré desde el primer momento que llegué. Tenía 12 años y era mi cumpleaños. Recuerdo que mi familia y yo partimos de Sonora y veníamos viajando en el transbordador, eran como las 06:30 de la mañana, empezaba a clarear, cuando mi papá salió a cubierta a fumar y tomar café. Yo corría de un lado al otro de la borda, pero al mirar el mar vi decenas de animales. Me quedé impresionado. Observaba con esa curiosidad que tienen los niños, el nado de las mantarrayas y delfines. Jamás había visto tan extraordinarias imágenes. Era como un SeaWorld natural. Fue una magnífica recepción, más aún por el contraste que me producía de San Luis Río Colorado, el lugar de donde vivimos y donde predomina el sol intenso, la arena y las víboras de cascabel.

Cuando llegamos a La Paz, le dije a mi papá: “Yo nunca me voy a ir de aquí”. Y ya son 51 años de vivir en esta tierra.

Mi abuelo Francisco fue quien introdujo en los años cuarenta el apellido Loubet en Baja California Sur pues se dedicó a la distribución del gas butano. Yo ingresé al negocio familiar en octubre de 1978 y desde entonces me dedicó al mercado del aire acondicionado.

En esos años que iniciaba, viajaba mucho junto con mi padre en una camioneta pick up para llevar productos a varios lugares: San José del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, Loreto, Mulegé y en esos viajes me daba cuenta de que las personas -con esta geografía como escenario- no necesitaban mucho para ser felices.

La caja del pick up era nuestro hotel y me tocó ver desde ahí la vía láctea, las estrellas fugaces, pero en ese momento no valoraba tanto esas experiencias como lo hago ahora.

Me siento muy orgulloso de ser sudcaliforniano. Tenemos inmensurable riqueza: 2 mil 230 kilómetros de litoral y una magnífica geografía de desiertos, serranías y planicie. Sin embargo, muchos aún no apreciamos lo que tenemos.

Confieso que en un principio no sabía qué hacía la Red de Observadores Ciudadanos (ROC), hasta que comencé a verlo desde los ojos de María Ugarte Luiselli, a quien le agradezco que me haya compartido sus informes y contagiado el entusiasmo de cuidar y proteger lo que es de todo los sudcalifornianos.

Como presidente del Consejo Coordinador Empresarial de La Paz y con el impulso de ella, reactivamos las comisiones de Energía, Agua, Residuos, Movilidad y Turismo Sustentable para seguir abonando a la ética empresarial relacionada con el medio ambiente. Es un trabajo titánico pero posible de lograr.

Poco a poco me fui dando cuenta de las actividades interesantes que realiza ROC y del peligro que implica el cuidado del mar. Me sorprendió que una organización de ciudadanos estuviera involucrada en los operativos que buscan desalentar la pesca ilícita, y que además fueran las únicas personas vigilando el mar de noche.

Me impresionó la manera en que colaboran con la autoridad y de la información que han recolectado sobre la pesca ilegal. Admiro que sean una herramienta para mejorar la calidad de vida de los ciudadanos, pues el cuidado del ambiente conlleva al bienestar social, por ello los sudcalifornianos nos deberíamos sentir agradecidos y empáticos con ROC.

Tuve la fortuna de conocer a quienes apoyan y conforman ROC, y puedo decir que lo más valioso que tiene esta organización son las personas, y que su valor se engrandece por su generosidad, ya que me abrieron la puerta a nuevos saberes y valores.

Me invitaron a dormir y caminar al aire libre en la Isla Espíritu Santo, bajo la vía láctea, lo cual me conmovió profundamente y me hizo valorar aún más la vida y el ecosistema que tiene ese lugar.

Hoy me siento muy entusiasmado, halagado y comprometido con la posibilidad de ser parte del Consejo Directivo de ROC. Me significa una gran responsabilidad y una oportunidad para servir a la comunidad, sobre todo a los litorales de este lugar tan hermoso.

Veré cómo sumar más lanchas, más ojos y más gente, y lo haré con toda mi pasión para devolverle algo a esta tierra que tanto me ha dado.

Promote regulations, mediate conflicts and monitor to conserve the natural treasures of La Paz.

María

Ugarte Luiselli

Executive Director

In 2009, Maria co-founded the first Citizen Observatory in La Paz with the objective of stopping illegal fishing and making known current regulations through the cooperation between civil society, authorities and government orders involved in the activities of fishing and use of the Protected Natural Areas of the Bay of La Paz.
In August 2014, along with the tourist operator Fun Baja, she created the first Participatory Citizen Surveillance Committee of PROFEPA in the Bay of La Paz.

In 2015, she secured publication in federal law prohibiting the use of spearguns with air compressors, known as “hookas”, for fishing (NOM-064-SAG / PESC / SEMARNAT-2013).

In 2018, she co-founded the Paralelo 28 Coalition (made up of Pronatura Noroeste A.C., Sociedad de Historia Natural Niparajá A.C. and ROC) and through its "Heroes Wanted" campaign secures resources to strengthen surveillance within the Protected Natural Areas of the Gulf of California.

Maria has achieved formal surveillance agreements with local, federal and military authorities to monitor the two Protected Natural Areas in the Bay of La Paz and specializes in Conflict Resolution and Mediation, preventing Company-Community Conflicts in complex environments, endorsed by the Center for Economic Research and Teaching A.C. (CIDE).

Dialogue and surveillance to raise awareness of the importance of the good use of marine resources.

Alberto

Guillén

Operations Director

Beto joined the Citizen Observatory in May 2009 and has been the operational director since 2010. He has carried out the largest number of operations, identifying all the main poaching sites in the Bay of La Paz. And by 2012, he had generated the most complete list of fishermen and boats whose activity was illegal fishing around the islands near La Paz.

In 2013, Beto initiated a dialogue with the “El Mangle Cenizo” fishermen's cooperative that engaged in illegal spearfishing to create a productive and legal project for several families in their community.

When ROC joined the Waterkeeper Alliances in 2013, Beto became responsible for ROC’s water quality monitoring program in the Bay of La Paz.

In 2014, Beto was appointed as President of the Participatory Citizen Surveillance Committee of PROFEPA and in 2015, initiated the “Adopt a Beach” program with Young Scouts, creating a wave of new initiatives to improve the condition of beaches and mangroves around La Paz.

Based on the formal agreements signed by ROC in 2016, Beto coordinates all joint operations with the different local, federal and military authorities to monitor the two Protected Natural Areas in the Bay of La Paz.

Beto’s vision is to achieve greater communication between citizens, users of the sea and authorities, disseminating the legal framework and raising awareness to ensure the permanence and good use of the area's natural resources.

The health of our seas is one of the foundations for the social and economic development of coastal communities.

Héctor

Trinidad Melendez

Project Coordinator

A graduate from the Faculty of Marine Sciences of the Autonomous University of Baja California with a degree in oceanography, Héctor has sailed in various seas, in major and minor, industrial, research and fishing vessels, in the Inside Passage from British Columbia to Alaska, the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the coast of Brazil, the northern Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of California and the western coastal lagoons of Baja California Sur.

Héctor’s work is directly related to the environment, the seas and its resources.

He has been working on marine conservation projects in the Gulf of California since 2011, focusing his interest, work and effort in supporting and promoting actions and processes that promote responsible activities of users of Protected Natural Areas. Héctor has worked in Bahía de Los Ángeles, Bahía de Loreto National Park, El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, and with ROC is focused on the Protected Natural Areas of the Bay of La Paz: Espiritu Santo Archipelago Marine Zone National Park and the Balandra Flora and Fauna Protection Area. Héctor is a fervent believer that the health, protection and conservation of our seas is one of the foundations for the social and economic development of coastal communities in Mexico.

José Luis

Ceseña Calderón

Boat Captain

José Luis retired from illegal fishing to join the Citizen Observatory project in June 2009, an important turning point in his life. Since joining citizen surveillance program he has been dedicated to protecting the natural resources of the Bay of La Paz.

His extensive knowledge of legal and illegal fishing has contributed important information to the program, helping to define effective operating strategies. Though his decision to stop illegal fishing confronted him in his own community, he has earned the respect of the fishermen, residents of the community and his own family over time, as well as the recognition of the authorities.

His goal is to take care of the resources of the sea, convinced that if they run out, there will be nothing left to leave for his grandchildren and he does not want the next generation to live with only on memories of what a living sea was like.

The adequate use and protection of the natural resources of the sea, must be encouraged.

Ricardo

Calderón Amador

Boat Captain of ROCSTAR

Ricardo has over 10 years of experience working in Protected Natural Areas as captain and ranger for the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas at the Gulf Islands, Balandra Flora and Fauna Protection Area and Revillagigedo National Park.

His ability and background allow him to support social outreach of regulations, observation and documentation, promotion of citizen participation, preparation of citizen complaints and the care and conditioning of boats.

A faithful defender of the value and importance of the correct use of natural resources, Ricardo incorporates conservation into his daily life, either by supporting the monitoring of sea turtles or promoting respect for the natural resources of our seas.

South Californian by birth, conservationist by conviction

Máximo Valentín

Pérez Bastida

Boat Captain of Dueño de la Noche

South Californian by birth, raised in the Sierra de Comondú in his youth, migrated to San Juanico where he worked as a fisherman for 30 years, during which he began to participate in the conservation of the gray whale.

Thanks to his work as a tourist service provider, doing gray whale sightings in the San Ignacio Lagoon, he had the opportunity to move to the state capital to work in a similar job of non-extractive use of the natural resources of the Bay of La Peace.

He is currently part of the ROC team as captain of the ship Dueño de la noche, one of the first and most emblematic of the organization.

Max, as he is usually called, offers his experience, interest, and concern for nature conservation.

Transforming society and convincing it to take care of the beaches and their resources will help us ensure a sustainable future.

Luis Alberto

Mejía Cota

Technical Advisor

Born in La Paz, with a degree in Alternative Tourism from the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, Luis has enjoyed outdoor activities since he was a child, having passion for contact and interaction with marine and terrestrial flora and fauna.

Luis joined the ROC team in 2017 with diving experience near La Paz and has participated in beach cleaning campaigns with other local civil organizations.

Luis is a guide and protector by vocation, who in addition to watching the Protected Natural Areas, knows how to guide tourists to make their visit responsible and have a positive impact.

Conversationalist, believer in change, enthusiastic and positive, Luis keeps social conversion among his goals so more people can be convinced to use beaches and our natural resources responsibly ensuring a sustainable future.

Communicate to preserve the sea.

Alberto

Francisco Rodríguez

Communications Director

A specialist in narrative and digital audiences, Alberto has been in charge of ROC’s communication strategies since 2017.

With a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences from the Autonomous University of Baja California, Alberto uses his skills with words and talent to connect with audiences, using his background as a community manager for various brands, local media and magazine editor, and as a public relations coordinator and member of marketing teams for wine companies and organizer of social events.

Alberto is a storyteller, an observer of cultural and social phenomena, who includes the task of citizen observer on issues of environmental conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

Humanist and passionate about interacting with people, Alberto specializes in new information technologies as a way to weave new and strong bonds between key audiences and is passionate about the new challenge of communicating to conserve the sea.

Social participation helps improve where we live.

Elizabeth Pastora

Álvarez Ramos

Administrative Coordinator

Growing up in La Paz, for 15 consecutive years Pastora belonged to the Scouts of La Paz where she learned, among many other things, to love and care for nature and its resources. She has specialized in developing the administration for civil society organizations dedicated to the care and protection of the environment, a job she performs during the week, leaving time to dedicate several weekends to supporting ROC in beach clean-ups and education events.

One of her hobbies is camping and visiting the beautiful beaches where she lives. Thanks to Pastora, ROC began working together with the Scout Group both in education and water care programs and in the “Adopt a Beach” program.

Pastora likes to be positive about life and always tries to find the good side of things, so she believes that social participation is possible to improve the place where she lives and knows that she counts her family to contribute.

Working at ROC is really important for Pastora since she considers that the objective of this ROC is of vital importance to know and care for the beaches and the sea of the Bay of La Paz, knowing that the beaches and the fauna of the sea are important sources for the economy and our social well-being.

Elizabeth

Ramos García

Accountant

We can all contribute to the conservation of resources important
to human subsistence in several ways.

Originally from Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Elizabeth studied Business Administration at the Tecnológico de La Paz and Public Accounting at the Universidad Mundial de La Paz.

Her firm handles the accounting and tax affairs of various civil society organizations, including ROC, which has made ROC a strong, healthy and transparent organization in the management of its financial resources. She has collaborated with non-profit organizations for nine years and is very aware of the importance of conservation and sustainable use of our natural resources.

Elizabeth considers her work as an accountant and giving administrative support is a way of doing her bit for the conservation of the environment. She likes challenges, learning and researching about the fulfillment of accounting, fiscal and administrative obligations, which she considers of utmost importance so that activities can be carried out according to law.

Elizabeth also works with the Association of Scouts of Mexico, where she participates as the group treasurer, interacting with young people whom she believes have great potential to become involved in conservation.

Willingness and commitment to conservation.

Adilene

Carrasco Cota

Technical advisor

Adilene comes from a family dedicated to the tourist services and values Nature and its conservation.

She has participated in sea turtle conservation projects with the group Chelonia Maris and Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias, monitoring species in the feeding and nesting area of Punta Arenas, Isla San José, Isla Espíritu Santo and Cabo Pulmo. Adilene has also collaborated with the Agency for Rural Development and Wildlife where she acquired knowledge and appreciation for social work in rural communities.

She is currently studying Alternative Tourism at the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur and is eager to contribute her knowledge to society upon graduation.

Ramiro

Arcos Aguilar

Database Analyst

The most useful science is the one that can be communicated

Ramiro is a marine biologist with a masters degree in Marine and Coastal Sciences from the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, specialized in ecology and population biology.

Ramiro is interested in projects related to conservation, marine ecology, science communication and nature photography. His experience in database management and ecological orientation have helped him organize, analyze, understand and visualize data related to the research and conservation of marine ecosystems. He considers of utmost importance the combination of the technical aspects of investigation with photographs and graphics to convey important conservation messages to society.

Ramiro has been focused on understanding the changes that occur in the rocky reef ecosystems of the Gulf of California and how these changes affect the activities that depend on them, especially diving. He has experience teaching zoology of marine invertebrates in his alma mater and collaborated with the Marine Program of the Gulf of California for nearly 9 years in research focused on the conservation and ecological monitoring of rocky reefs, where he has participated as a speaker and instructor for different sectors of society.

To date he has traveled, dived and collected data throughout the Mexican Pacific and the Gulf of California, including the Marías Islands and the Revillagigedo Archipelago, which has allowed him to acquire an overview and empirical knowledge of the various marine communities in the Gulf of California.
Ramiro considers it extremely important to understand the changes that occur in marine communities, as well as the effect these changes have on society. He is a conservation enthusiast and believes that to do it correctly there must be robust data to support.

Mike
McGETTIGAN

Honorary advisor

Mike McGettigan (SeaWatch) For the past 47 years I've traveled over 360K miles by boat in the Sea of Cortez and over the years I've watched one of the most biologically diverse seas of the world decimated by over fishing. Corruption, poor management and lack of accountability, prompted us to help start ROC 10 years ago focused on addressing the problem at Espiritu Santo National Park. As a result of ROC's successful vigilance on the water and growing citizen awareness, the Park recently was declared one of the best managed parks in all of Latin America. Serving as an example, ROC and citizen action can hopefully give the Sea a future.

Sherry
SHAFFER McGETTIGAN

Honorary advisor

In the 10 years since conception ROC has become one of the most successful and impressive vigilant programs. Providing protection and enforcement from illegal fishing and behavior in the Sea of Cortez. Under the direction of Maria Ugarte and her amazing team.

CONTACT US

Red de Observadores Ciudadanos A. C.
Aquiles Serdán #3745, Col. Pueblo Nuevo CP 23060,
La Paz, Baja California Sur, México

Tel. (612) 122-77-96
Cel. (612) 102-3294
Reports and support (24 hrs): (612) 102-3294

CONTACT US

Red de Observadores Ciudadanos A. C.
Aquiles Serdán #3745, Col. Pueblo Nuevo CP 23060,
La Paz, Baja California Sur, México

Tel. (612) 122-77-96
Cel. (612) 102-3294
Reports and support (24 hrs): (612) 102-3294

WATER PROGRAM

ROC’s Water Program and citizen participation initiative is carried out as the offical La Paz Waterkeeper. Through this program, the community is informed about the quality of water for recreational use, promoting human and environmental health through informed decision-making. ROC’s commitment is to the conservation of the Bay of La Paz and the protection of human health.

SWIM GUIDE

Swim Guide is a website and Smartphone App that helps you easily find the closest beaches and know if they are suitable for swimming and fishing. Download the App for free and find out the results of our monitoring on the main public beaches near La Paz.

Download the free App and explore the results of our monitoring on the main beaches of La Paz.

The water program contains the following actions:

Water quality monitoring.

ROC carries out water quality monitoring systematically throughout the year at recreational beaches and other sites of interest in the Bay of La Paz. Through a methodological sampling process, we identify the presence of bacteriological contamination that could pose a risk to public health. The objective is to protect the health of the users of the recreational beaches, identifying sources of contamination and informing the public if beaches are safe for swimming, fishing and general recreation.

Collaboration with authorities.

As the official La Paz Waterkeeper, ROC collaborates with federal, state and local authorities regarding the environmental and human health risks caused by water pollution. Pollution discharges to the Bay of La Paz occur from urban runoff, leaks in the sewer system, discharges from water treatment plants and untreated water from areas without a sewer system, all of which require the attention and response of the authorities.

Environmental education.

ROC promotes the care of our water resources through communication and raising awareness, in addition to organizing and participating in the cleaning of mangroves, reefs and beaches. We actively work with volunteers of the community to promote activities related to environmental education, being the first organization from La Paz to perform microplastic cleaning on recreational beaches.

ROC’s goal is effective law enforcement and surveillance through collaboration with government authorities and strengthening laws for the protection and responsible development of artisanal fisheries and tourism activities in the Bay of La Paz and in its Natural Protected Areas.

Through our surveillance program, we seek to guarantee the fishing and tourist sectors the responsible use of the natural resources of the Bay of La Paz.

This program’s aim is to strengthen surveillance and the enforcement of the existing legal framework for fishing and tourism activities through collaboration with government agencies in the Bay of La Paz, including the Espírito Santo Archipelago Marine Zone National Park and the Balandra Flora and Fauna Protection Area.

SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

ROC’s goal is effective law enforcement and surveillance through collaboration with government authorities and strengthening laws for the protection and responsible development of artisanal fisheries and tourism activities in the Bay of La Paz and in its Natural Protected Areas.

Through our surveillance program, we seek to guarantee the fishing and tourist sectors the responsible use of the natural resources of the Bay of La Paz.

This program’s aim is to strengthen surveillance and the enforcement of the existing legal framework for fishing and tourism activities through collaboration with government agencies in the Bay of La Paz, including the Espírito Santo Archipelago Marine Zone National Park and the Balandra Flora and Fauna Protection Area.

Our surveillance strategies include:

Conducting monitoring

Conducting routine monitoring trips by land and water to detect and prevent illicit activities, gather information, build credibility, raise awareness, communicate environmental regulations and register complaints.

Promoting citizen complaints

Promoting citizen complaints and community participation in surveillance.

Collaborating in alliances

Collaborating in strategic alliances with federal authorities on inspection and surveillance (CONANP, PROFEPA, CONAPESCA, SEMAR, FONMAR).

Establishing beach camps

Establishing permanent beach camps during holiday periods to provide support to tourists, monitor for irregularities and guide visitors on the use and care of Protected Natural Areas.

Roc se deslinda

Aviso

Nota aclaratoria:

Participación de ROC.

Anual report 2020:

Activities report.

Anual report 2021:

Activities report.

Anual report 2023:

Activities report.

Nota aclaratoria:

Participación de ROC

Anual report 2020:

Activities report.

Anual report 2021:

Activities report.

Anual report 2023:

Activities report.

VISUALIZACIONES INTERACTIVAS

Uno de los objetivos de los recorridos de vigilancia es recopilar datos que serán estandarizados, analizados y transformados en información de interés para los diversos sectores. Esta información permite entender las actividades de inspección y vigilancia, provee estadísticas y datos para la creación de leyes de conservación, además de apoyar la gobernanza y aplicación de leyes. Conoce aquí los resultados de nuestro trabajo vigilando la Bahía de La Paz y sus Áreas Naturales Protegidas, navega las visualizaciones interactivas y obtén la información de tu interés.

SOLICITAR ACCESO A LAS VISUALIZACIONES INTERACTIVAS

BIOFICHERO ROC

Tesoros naturales Estas son algunas especies que viven en La Paz, varias de ellas características de las áreas naturales protegidas. Conoce estos tesoros naturales de nuestros mares, sus características, importancia y algunas recomendaciones. Descárgalas y compártelas.

BIOFICHERO ROC

Tesoros naturales
Estas son algunas especies que viven en La Paz,
varias de ellas características de las áreas naturales protegidas.
Conoce estos tesoros naturales de nuestros mares,
sus características, importancia y algunas
recomendaciones.
Descárgalas y compártelas.

Descarga: Tiburón Ballena/ Playero Occidental/ Fragata/ Botón Azul/ Manta Gigante/ Cubana Cornuda/ Cubana de Espina/ Garza Roja / Lobo Marino / Pargo Amarillo / Cangrejo Ermitaño/ Madre Perla/ Gaviota patas amarillas/ Ballena Jorobada/ Langosta Azul/ Orca/ Fragata Tijera / Playero Occidental /

ANP BALANDRA, ZONAS Y REGLAS

REGLAS

ZONAS

ALLIANCES

A fundamental pillar of ROC is "collaboration".
Emanating from citizens, we deeply respect the popular saying that
says: " If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go accompanied " and for
that is part of collective efforts for the conservation of the environment
both national and international atmosphere.

Waterkeeper Alliances

ROC is licensed as the La Paz Waterkeeper by the Waterkeeper Alliances, the largest international non-profit organization focused on clean water.

The Waterkeeper Alliances brings together hundreds of Waterkeepers from around the world, strengthening and growing a network of members to protect everyone's right to clean water. The Alliances promotes, supports and brings people together to work regionally (Waterkeeper Latin America) and provides training, tools, advice and promotion.

Paralelo 28

ROC co-founded the Paralelo 28 initiative to help secure financial support for surveillance and promotion of the sustainable use of Protected Natural Areas in the Gulf of California.

ROC’s role in the Paralelo 28 initiative is fundamental, providing technical knowledge and experience regarding the needs of surveillance strategies, costs and objectives for efficient surveillance. Paralelo 28 acts as a reliable source to link sectors and helps in promoting, financing and strengthening models for Protected Natural Areas.

COLLABORATIONS

ROC's work is strengthened by the links and collaborations we have with entities such as

Federal Level

State Level

ALLIANCES

A fundamental pillar of ROC is "collaboration".
Emanating from citizens, we deeply respect the popular saying that
says: " If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go accompanied " and for
that is part of collective efforts for the conservation of the environment
both national and international atmosphere.

Waterkeeper Alliances

ROC is licensed as the La Paz Waterkeeper by the Waterkeeper Alliances, the largest international non-profit organization focused on clean water.

The Waterkeeper Alliances brings together hundreds of Waterkeepers from around the world, strengthening and growing a network of members to protect everyone's right to clean water. The Alliances promotes, supports and brings people together to work regionally (Waterkeeper Latin America) and provides training, tools, advice and promotion.

Paralelo 28

ROC co-founded the Paralelo 28 initiative to help secure financial support for surveillance and promotion of the sustainable use of Protected Natural Areas in the Gulf of California.

ROC’s role in the Paralelo 28 initiative is fundamental, providing technical knowledge and experience regarding the needs of surveillance strategies, costs and objectives for efficient surveillance. Paralelo 28 acts as a reliable source to link sectors and helps in promoting, financing and strengthening models for Protected Natural Areas.

COLLABORATIONS

ROC's work is strengthened by the links and collaborations we have with entities such as

Federal Level

State Level

Certifications

Follow our dissemination platforms. Our job is to share data about the health and conservation of the marine ecosystems of Baja California Sur. We seek direct dialogue with citizens interested in the health of the sea in our social networks.

Bitácora

#OjosEnElAgua

FOLLOW US

Bitácora

#OjosEnElAgua

Follow our dissemination platforms. Our job is to share data about the health and conservation of the marine ecosystems of Baja California Sur. We seek direct dialogue with citizens interested in the health of the sea in our social networks.

FOLLOW US

Ver infografías

INFOGRAFÍAS ROC

De manera gráfica te explicamos quiénes somos, qué hacemos, nuestros programas, aliados y más información relacionada con ROC. Visita, descarga y comparte.

ROC IN PRESS

We are disseminating agents of the culture of conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. We welcome the media that mentions our work and spreads the message of responsible coexistence with Nature.

Check out our reports here:

Year 2021

Compilation of ROC appearances in press.

Year 2019

Compilation of ROC appearances in press.

Year 2018

Compilation of ROC appearances in press.

Year 2017

Compilation of ROC appearances in press.

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Name

Second name

Last name

Age

Birth date

Gender
Female Male

E-mail

Phone

Municipality

Nationality

Profesión

you want to join as:
CARE OF NATURAL RESOURCES
RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES
KNOW THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS
KNOW THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF ARTISANAL FISHERIES IN BAJA CALIFORNIA SHOUT
ADVOCACY
OTRO

ABOUT ROC

OUR MISSION

A CITIZEN OBSERVER IS...

TEAM ROCSTAR

Staff

Vessels

Board of Directors

CONTACT US

CONTACT US

WATER PROGRAM

SWIM GUIDE

Water quality monitoring.

Collaboration with authorities.

Environmental education.

SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

Roc se deslinda

Nota aclaratoria:

Anual report 2020:

Anual report 2021:

Anual report 2023:

Nota aclaratoria:

Anual report 2020:

Anual report 2021:

Anual report 2023:

VISUALIZACIONES INTERACTIVAS

BIOFICHERO ROC

BIOFICHERO ROC

ANP BALANDRA, ZONAS Y REGLAS

ALLIANCES

Waterkeeper Alliances

Paralelo 28

COLLABORATIONS

Federal Level

State Level

ALLIANCES

Waterkeeper Alliances

Paralelo 28

COLLABORATIONS

Federal Level

State Level

Certifications

Bitácora

#OjosEnElAgua

FOLLOW US

Bitácora

#OjosEnElAgua

FOLLOW US

Ver infografías

INFOGRAFÍAS ROC

ROC IN PRESS

Year 2021

Year 2019

Year 2018

Year 2017

Why is your donation important?

A CITIZEN
OBSERVER IS...

Why is your donation
important?