Coastal-Marine MPA
Pingüinos
Provincial Natural Reserve

Cover Photo © Darío Podesta

Description

Exclusive reserve for scientific purposes, created with the main objective of protecting the Magellanic penguin colony located south of San Jorge Gulf, between Punta Casamayor and Punta Mazarredo. The law prohibits swimming, diving, navigation, transit on foot or with vehicles, overflying the area at an altitude of less than 1,000 meters, and activities for scientific or educational purposes are only allowed with authorization from the Application Authority (Provincial Agrarian Council).

Geographic Location

Province

Santa Cruz

Coordinates

-46.94° Latitude S

-66.89° Longitude W

Size and Limits

Total Area:

0

Marine Area:

0

Continental Area:

0

NOTES ON SURFACE ESTIMATION
Estimated area 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.

Legal Aspects

Jurisdiction

Provincial

Year of Creation

2020

Creation Legislation

Law 3690

Eco-regions represented

Marine

Magellanic Province
North Patagonian Gulfs Ecoregion

Land

Patagonian Steppe

Conservation Objectives

The objectives of the Provincial Natural Reserve “Pingüinos” are:

  • To ensure the protection, conservation and projection of the marine-coastal-terrestrial environment of the area, to preserve its natural and cultural heritage.
  • To conserve mainly the population of Magellanic penguins that reproduce in the area, protecting their habitat and ensuring their natural development.
  • Protect the landscape characteristics ensuring no anthropic modification.
  • Generate and promote, in a permanent way, scientific research for a complete knowledge of the area.
  • Promote the knowledge of the area and especially of the Magellanic penguin, tending to its valuation, protection and conservation.

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

Not evaluated.

Sources consulted: Creation Law No. 3690 (2020).
Magellanic penguin colonies: See Bibliography