Oyster
Growers
 

         Guaranteeing that oysters cultivated in this region are healthy and do not represent consumption problems, was the objetive of a training course on good practices in aquaculture produccion of bivalve mollusks, recently imparted to producers from Caborca and Puerto Peñasco. Erick Ramirez Castillo, head of pathology health campaigns against bivalve mollusks, revealed that although there is constant and permanent monitoring, this training aimed to reinforce knowledge of oyster cultivators on appropriate management of their products while assuring that the is of good healthy quality.
He detailed the curse was given to 15 cooperatives from Caborca and Puerto Peñasco dedicated to the cultivation of oysters, stretching from the area of the San Judas estuary to the Los tanques estuary.

He expressed that training has provided good results, as tests carried out at the oyster farms show that the product is apt for human consumption. In addition, he noted, there is even the possibility of once again attaining certification for export to the United States.

Ramirez Castillo expressed his gratitude for the willingness of the nearly 100 oyster cultivators of the 15 cooperatives in the region, in maintaining their activities clean and healthy, which can bolster their precense in oyster production. Manuel Humberto Paez, head of the bivalve mollusk program for the secretary of health, stressed the importance of this training to assure that oyster produced in Peñasco and Caborca is apt for human consumption.

The oysters cultivated here, he noted, have an aceptable quality, adding there are no strong contamination concerns that could affect them. He assured both residents as well as visitors may consume these products with confidence.

Local oyster cultivators participate in     national  gathering

Two oyster cultivating cooperatives from the Morua Estuary in Puerto Peñasco recently participate in the IV gathering of Experiences on Collective Manegament of Coastal Resources, carried out Nov. 5 -8 in San Blas, Nayarit, reported a press release put out by the Intercultural Center of Desert and Ocean Studies (CEDO) The press release indicates that the goal of the meeting, which brought together 24 social organizations from 9 states across the country that carry out productive activities in coastal wetlands, was to create a space for discussion, reflection and exchange among the organizations regarding their experiences, problems and alternatives in developing their activities and in searching to improved their lives and that of their families.                                                                          Maria Concepcion Garcia, Maria del Rosario Luna Javalera and Jose de Jesus Rodriguez de Santiago, members of the Sole Cooperative of Woman and the Punta Roja Cooperative, respectively, attended the important event thanks to the support of La Ventana, A.C. and the Intercultural Center of Desert and Ocean Studies, A.C. During the meeting, participants addressed different problems that threaten environmental health and, therefore, the future development of the communities residing there.                                                                                                                                                   

The release notes that it was interesting to note the similarity of problems encountered in the different states including pollution and the destruction of habitats due to industrial and tourism development, as well as concerns of deforestation, illegal fishing or ill managed dumps.

There was also discussion concerning alternatives organizations have sough to counteract these threats as well as their results reached up to this time. The importance of diversifying activities was mentioned on various occasions as well as how to take advantage of natural resources in a sustainable manner.     One of the activities detected as a tool allowing for economic benefits while at the same time respecting the environment was that of ecotourism.                                                              Mrs. Maria Concepcion Garcia mentioned that oyster cooperatives in the Morua Estuary in Puerto Peñasco last year organized the Natur Arte Ecotourism Corridor and have been undergoing training and guiding tours through the estuary (Kayak tours, talks on interpreting local flora and fauna, experiences with oyster cultivation and bird watching) in collaboration with CEDO.

Following a trip she commented, Ecotourism does function, we have already seen how it functions in other places and can work here. In order of ecotourism to function it is necessary to maintain the natural beauty of the landscape and the ecologic functions of these wetlands; to the contrary, ecotourism may be lost.  At the end of the meeting, participants, among them those from Puerto Peñasco, signed a constitutive act for the Network for the conservation and protection of Coastal Wetlands in Mexico.

Within this Network those that signed the agreement made a commitment to defend their ecosystems and work for their right to take advantage of natural resources in a sustainable manner.

There was plenty of pomp and circumstance at the Border Governor’s Conference in Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point), Mexico this past week, some of which I have documented in my prior posts below. I just wanted to recap a few points about the conference. My thoughts are after the jump. Please read and post your own comments on the event.

1. The conference was very well organized. I was impressed by the level of security for the main inauguration, the technology employed in keeping track of attendees (bar codes and pictures for everyone) and the large number of staffers available at all times to answer questions and to shuttle people around. The gala dinner on Thursday night was a “who’s who” of Mexican politicians and power-brokers, many of whom were able to experience Puerto Peñasco hospitality for the first time. This was a first-class event hosted by Puerto Peñasco and Sonora and I heard a lot of positive comments from attendees. Hopefully this event highlights for them the strides that have been made in Puerto Peñasco to turn it into a premiere vacation destination and encourages even more commitment from the Mexican state and federal governments to continue investing in the development of the town.

2. I’m sure some may question spending the money it took to host such a major conference in Puerto Peñasco, especially when the town (and Mexico in general) has many other pressing needs. But spending this money shows something that we are starting to see more of in Puerto Peñasco, commitment to a broader, more long-term goal – exposure of Puerto Peñasco to the world and further stimulation of economic growth in the town through tourism. Hosting such an important conference in Puerto Peñasco raises the profile of the town globally. It puts the Puerto Peñasco name in numerous media. My parents live in tiny Bluffton, Ohio, and their local newspaper, the Lima news, carried an article about the conference with “Puerto Peñasco” mentioned in it. This is important because people all around the U.S. and world will seek out the answers to questions such as “Where is Puerto Peñasco?” and “What about Puerto Peñasco made such a distinguished group of politicians and diplomats chose to meet there?” – regardless of what the articles were about.

3. While mentioning Puerto Peñasco, press coverage in the U.S. generally was confined to President Calderon’s remarks on immigration, Governor Schwarzenegger’s one-liners and Governor Napolitano’s tough talk about border security. I don’t know what information the press was provided about Puerto Peñasco, but I was hoping that some of them would take the time to focus on all the strides the town has made and its future needs as it grows. Not sure if the press just got lazy and reported on the easy stories at the major conference events, or if the conference organizers didn’t take the proper initiative to get the press out of the conference and take them around town to showcase the town a little more. If it wasn’t provided, a press packet in English and Spanish with before and after pictures of the town, a list of accomplishments to date and a list of the planned commercial infrastructure developments (including Rocky Point airport and roads) would have been helpful. Despite a temporary lull in the real estate market, the town will continue to expand and grow by leaps and bounds over the next 25 years (very similar to how – despite the current real estate slowdown – Phoenix isn’t going to suddenly quit rapidly expanding). So I was hoping there would be a little more lifestyle/tourism side reporting done about the town.

4. I expect the conference to act as a springboard for even more investment and development in Puerto Peñasco. Governor Bours effectively used the conference to roll out Puerto Peñasco’s red carpet to a wide range of attendees – many of whom are very influential decision-makers. These attendees will carry their impressions of Puerto Peñasco back to their communities and spread the word about the growth to date and the incredible potential of the town, further cementing the long-lasting effects of the Border Governor’s Conference.

www.puertopenascopost.com

Probably the most important event in Puerto Peñasco since Al Capone left town is happening next week. Puerto Peñasco will be on the national and international stage as hosts for the 25th Annual Border Governor’s Conference from September 26th-28th. Governor Eduardo Bours of Sonora is hosting the conference along with the Vice-Chair of the Conference, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California. They will welcome U.S. Governors Janet Napolitano of Arizona, current Presidential candidate Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Rick Perry of Texas, along with Mexican Governors Natividad Gonzalez of Nuevo Leon, Jose Reyes Baeza of Chihuahua, Eugenio Elorduy of Baja California, Humberto Moreira of Coahuila and Eugenio Hernandez of Tamaulipas.

Also expected to make appearances in Puerto Peñasco are Mexican President Felipe Calderon (his first visit as President) and Secretary of U.S. Homeland Security Michael Chertoff.

The importance of this event to Puerto Peñasco probably cannot be overstated as it will showcase the city in the national and international media as an up-and-coming vacation destination and a place where growth and investment is occurring. Much of the pomp and circumstance will take place in Sandy Beach, hosted by Las Palomas, Puerta Privada, Peñasco del Sol and other resorts, with the larger group events held in the pavilion you may have seen being built to the west of the Esmeralda construction site.

Many of the activities will consist of invite-only closed meetings, meals and the plenary session with delegates and governors participating. However, the public will have a chance to catch a glimpse of the Governors at the inauguration of the refurbished Governor’s Square on the Malecón in Old Port. According to the conference schedule, the inauguration will take place at 3:45 pm on Thursday, the 27th, with Governor Bours and the Honorable Arturo Sarukhan (Mexico Ambassador to the U.S.) speaking. It appears the official conference photograph will be taken at this event, so I expect all Governors and other dignitaries to attend. But I can almost guarantee it will be a logistical nightmare getting that many diplomats and their security teams into the Old Port. So if you are going, go very early to try to get a good view. I would welcome submission of any pictures that people take of the event or of the Governors around town.

www.puertopenascopost.com  

The Seaside Reservations Phoenix office held their First Informational Seminar about Rocky Point for those who have never been to the area. Guests enjoyed food and drinks, and were given a 40 minute presentation by a Seaside employee. The seminar covered all the basics from restaurants, crossing the border, activities, and even accomodations. Guests also were given a 10% discount for their next stay. For more information on informational seminars about Rocky Point, call Joe at 602-404-2982, between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Have you heard about Rocky Point, but know nothing about it? If not, then you should attend our hour long informational seminar about visiting Rocky Point.  Our experts will educate you on everything you need to know about crossing the border, what you need to take with you, the best places to eat and drink, and much more.  The seminar will be held at our Phoenix office on the SW corner of Tatum and Thunderbird on Saturday, October 21st at 10AM.  Please call 602-404-2982 to reserve a spot, as seating is limited.  Cost is $10 per person and refreshments will be served.  Attendees will receive a 10% discount on a vacation rental in Rocky Point.