Shrimps, located on the coast of Chubut, emerges as a key conclave of the provincial coast. It is a space where biodiversity coexists with local communities, creating opportunities through its conservation efforts.
This also makes it an attractive destination for tourism, allowing visitors to enjoy a unique rest, exploring natural spaces.
The marine coastal corridor spans 1634 km and covers two of the four regions in which the province is divided (Virch-Valdés Region and Senguer-San Jorge Gulf Region). 78.7% of the total population lives there.
This is Camarones, a true biodiversity refuge
The Patagonia Azul Biosphere Reserve and the Coastal-Marine Interjurisdictional Park Patagonia Austral (PIMCPA), along with the Cabo Dos Bahías Natural Protected Area (ANP), have set a precedent in the protection of these ecosystems.
Penguins on the coast of Chubut. (Photo: Blue Patagonia Project).
According to Chubut’s Undersecretary of Conservation and Protected Areas, Nadia Bravo, protected areas are a fundamental strategy for the sustainable development of the territory.
Because “while the main purpose is the long-term conservation of biological and cultural diversity, these spaces provide essential ecosystem goods and services for society and life in general,” she stated.
Among these benefits, Bravo highlights that they contribute to climate regulation, provide an ideal framework for scientific research, education, environmental training, and enable the development of responsible tourism and recreational activities that promote social and economic development at the local and regional levels.
The potential of effective protection
Cabo Dos Bahías is an example of how conservation can be integrated with local activity. “Its penguin colony and sea lion colony attract tourists from all over who come to the region to marvel at the wildlife in its natural environment,” they emphasize.
This influx of visitors generates a constant movement in the town of Camarones, where travelers seek accommodation, enjoy local gastronomy, and discover other attractions in the area.
Biodiversity of Chubut. (Photo: Blue Patagonia Project).
In this sense, the protection of this environment strengthens the sustained development of the community.
But Cabo Dos Bahías is not isolated. This provincial natural protected area is embraced by the Blue Patagonia Biosphere Reserve and is very close to the Coastal-Marine Interjurisdictional Park Patagonia Austral.
“These three levels of conservation undoubtedly represent an opportunity for tourism to strengthen and position itself as a socio-economic sector that promotes conservation and drives sustainable development,” stated the environmental department.
The role of resource conservation
In a complex global context, where there is a triple crisis identified by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, it is crucial to encourage the conservation of natural resources in harmony with sustainable productive uses.
Protected areas play a key role in preserving ecosystems and can also become drivers of local development.
Experiences in other parts of the world have shown that efficient management of natural spaces can achieve a balance between conservation and sustainable growth.
In Chubut, protected areas are a fundamental strategy for the long-term conservation of biological and cultural diversity.
Camarones. (Photo: Maike Friedrich-Blue Patagonia).
Furthermore, as Bravo pointed out, they provide cultural, emotional, and spiritual values obtained from the relationships between humans and ecosystems. She stated: “they constitute scenarios for integrating biodiversity conservation with its sustainable use.”
In the marine coastal corridor, strengthening the protection of its landscapes and species would allow for expanding the benefits already observed in places like Cabo Dos Bahías.
“The challenge lies in consolidating a conservation model that involves the community, ensuring that biodiversity remains in good condition while creating real opportunities for those who inhabit the region,” stated the environmental department.
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