Save El Salado Estuary Protected Natural Area in Puerto Vallarta Vallarta Opina
go to original October 20, 2020

The El Salado estuary is a Protected Natural Area (ANP) that represents the last set of mangroves that remain in the bay with great dimensions. It is totally surrounded by the urban area.

Its protection is mandatory by law since 2000, when the ANP decree was given. However, there have rarely been funds to pay for a team of caregivers.

Even so, for more than 10 years a dedicated team has cared for the species that live there and almost for free, they improve the space, give it maintenance, and to obtain some income, they take boat rides on the water channel explaining the diversity of species of plants and animals that live here.

Jaime Alberto Torres is the director of the team that takes care of the estuary. He has worked for free for years, no government has put funds into the ANP. The main source of income for him and his team has been the sale of personalized items such as cups and shirts, in addition to tours.

Unfortunately, they have been alone in promoting the tours, since hoteliers and large tour operator companies do not consider it a business, because the prices to the public to do the tour are set with the aim of making it accessible and fun, with only the desire to keep protection active.

Now, the Government of Jalisco has promised to allocate efforts to remodel the facilities that the caregivers themselves have managed to build from their pockets, to receive groups of visitors. This decision is in promise waiting to materialize. While in the vicinity, land is cleared to build large buildings.

Meanwhile, the Estero continues 24 hours a day to function as a lung for Puerto Vallarta, regulating the air, being an environment for key species in the bay's biodiversity chain to reproduce, and cleaning the dirty and drainage water it tries to reach the sea.

The estuary needs help from citizens and to be known, committed protectors who visit it and transmit its importance by word of mouth. Anyone who pays for a tour will be helping greatly in its preservation.

To donate or volunteer, please contact Jaime Torres at jaimetorres@esterodelsalado.org.

Translated and edited by Team Angels

  Learn about El Salado Estuary State Park