Marine MPA
Isla Pingüino
Interjurisdictional Marine Park

Cover Photo © Emanuel Tiberi

Description

The Isla Pingüino Interjurisdictional Marine Park protects a large coastal-marine sector of the Patagonian Shelf ecoregion in the province of Santa Cruz. The area is important for the life cycle of species such as southern hake, Patagonian shrimp and squid, species of commercial interest. On its coasts and islands are located a great diversity of coastal and marine species, including South American terns, southern gull, gray cormorant, black-necked cormorant and Magellanic penguin among others. The area is noted for the presence on Penguin Island of a colony of southern yellow-plumed penguin. On its coasts there are numerous reproductive colonies and colonies of the sea lion of one hair.

Geographic Location

Province

Santa Cruz

Coordinates:

-48.10° Latitude S

-65.90° 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.

AMP file in the SIB (View More)

Legal Aspects

Jurisdiction

National (NPA) – Provincial

Year of Creation

2012

Creation Legislation

National Law 26.808/12

Photo © Emanuel Tiberi
Photo © Mónica Torres

Eco-regions represented

Marina

Magallanic Province
Patagonian Shelf Ecoregion

Terrestre

Patagonian Steppe Ecoregion

Habitat Types

  • Continental Habitat: hervaceous steppe, cliffs, canyons
  • Intertaidal: salt marshes, sandy beach, pebble beach, playa arenosa,
  • Continental Shel Habitat: soft sandy bottom, rocky reef, bivalve shoals, macroalgae forests
  • Oceanic: Does not have

Conservation Objectives

  • Conserve representative samples of the marine ecosystem to ensure the continuity of natural processes.
  • Protect the landscape, natural and cultural heritage.
  • Promote and facilitate research and environmental monitoring for management of the area.
  • Promote sustainable activities compatible with the conservation of the area.
  • Raise awareness about the importance of the conservation of the area to the users and inhabitants of the region, through interpretation and environmental education.
  • Guarantee public use of the park to contribute to the physical and spiritual well-being of visitors, preserving its natural and cultural attributes for current and future generations.

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.

Human Activities

  • Tourism
  • Coastal sport fishing
  • Nautical sports with motor boats
  • General navigation
  • Research

Conservation challenges for biodiversity

Pollution from the Puerto Deseado Port is one of the main threats in the area and represents a major conservation challenge.

Management

Management authority

National Park Administration (APN) and CAP (Santa Cruz Province Government)

Executive management team

Team building (since November 2021)

Governance – Relevant institutions

National Park Administration, Province of Santa Cruz Government, Puerto Deseado Municipality

Land ownership

Fiscal land

Personnel

Intendant present from November 2021

Infrastructure

No infraestructure

Management effectiveness and evaluation year

40 – METT Evaluation (2014)

Uso público

Number of visitors; year of estimate

Unknown

Visitor services

No data

Entrance fee

Open to visitors without entrance fee

Sources of information consulted:
Biodiversity Information System (see here).
Creation Law N° 26.818 (2012)

Expert revision
Esteban Frere (UNPA/CONICET/WCS)

Bird and marine mammal colonies: See Bibliography