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Whale
Shark Management Program
Natural
History Documentary Production Support
The Artificial Reefs of La
Paz Bay Biological MonitoringThe La Paz Artificial Reefs Monitoring Program
Two Chinese long liners confiscated for illegal fishing in Baja were intentionally sunk to create artificial reefs during November 1999 in La Paz Bay. The wrecks offer new habitat for marine life and they provide exciting new dive spots. The FANG MING is 300 feet long and 50 feet high and is located about 62 feet deep on a sandy bottom. It has many rooms and compartments that have quickly attracted marine growth and fish. The LAPAS 03 is smaller at about 200 feet long and not as high, perfect for an easy wreck dive.
Baja Quest is currently monitoring the colonization of marine life on the wrecks. The monitoring program consists of identifying organisms by using photography, videography and identification guide books. Also, species are counted along transects to record the change in their population and density. Results are recorded in logbooks.
 The goal of the monitoring program is to assess the effectiveness of the artificial reefs at recruiting life and to ascertain if there are special management needs. The management program is designed and supervised by Baja Quest's Director Rocio Lozano and Marine Biologist James Ketchum.
Baja Quest wants to work with tourists and other dive operators to protect the fragile marine ecosystems of the Southern Sea of Cortez by creating new artificial reefs, protecting the existing ones, and to encourage divers and locals to use our oceans wisely. For more information on the artificial reefs, please visit Baja’s Wildlife, Maps and Dive information.
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