Coastal MPA
Cabo Dos Bahías
Comprehensive Purpose Tourist Nature Reserve

Cover Photo © Darío Podesta

Description

The Cabo Dos Bahias Integral Tourist Natural Reserve was created in 1983 with the objective of protecting the rookeries of the Cape fur seal (Otaria flavescens) and the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina). The protected area is a 17.5-kilometer-long coastal strip of great scenic beauty. There are important colonies of Magellanic penguins, sea lions, southern elephant seals, as well as herds of guanacos and other species of Patagonian fauna. The penguins can be observed during their breeding season (between September and April), while the rest of the fauna can be found all year round in the area. It is located within the ¨Patagonia Azul¨ Biosphere Reserve, approved in 2015 during the 27th Session of the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Program (MAB).

Geographic Location

Province

Chubut

Coordinates:

-44.91° Latitude S

-65.55° Longitude W

Size and Limits

Total Area:

0

Marine Area:

0

Continental Area:

0

NOTES ON SURFACE ESTIMATION
Area estimated based on the calculation of the area of the polygon represented on the map (ArcGIS PRO) with an Albers Equivalent Conic projection to preserve area calculations.

APN reports 1.6 km2 (Read More)

Legal Aspects

Jurisdiction

Province

Year of Creation

1973/1983/2010

Creation Legislation

Law XXIII N° 12 (2010) Before Law 2161

Photo © Santiago Krapovickas
Photo © Santiago Krapovickas

Eco-regions represented

Marine

Land

Patagonian Steppe Ecoregion

Conservation Objectives

Protection of a breeding site of South American sea lions and Southern Elephant seals.

Colonies and stopover sites

The following table presents the colonies or stopover sites of some emblematic species of birds and marine mammals present within the MPA boundaries.

Management

Management effectiveness and evaluation year

67 % – METT Evaluation (2014)

Sources of information consulted: Padin (2007).
Bird and marine mammal colonies: See Bibliography