Mexico has created North America’s largest marine reserve, an area of more than 57,000 square miles (148,000 sq kms) that surrounds and includes the Revillagigedo Archipelago, in the Pacific Ocean. The move, announced last month, comes amid a failed effort by Mexico to curb illegal fishing in the Gulf of California that is threatening survival of the vaquita porpoise, but it nonetheless has cheered conservationists. The new reserve, located about 250 miles (400 kms) southwest of Baja California, now possesses the strongest protective status, with all fishing banned, no development allowed on the four volcanic islands and public access only available by way of licensed liveaboard dive boats. Conservationists hope the restrictions will allow marine animals frequenting the waters of the archipelago, referred to by... [Log in to read more]