Blue Life Reiterates Interest in taking over Aquarium

by Maureen Dietrich
2 Apr 15
mazmessenger.com

Representatives of Blue Life, operators the Acuario Inbursa in Mexico City, met with municipal authorities to reiterate their interest in Mazatlán, and in particular in obtaining the concession to operate Mazatlán´s aquarium.

Several months ago, the municipal council approved reforms to the decree creating the aquarium but those reforms have been legally challenged and are presently under an amparo.

Following the meeting, Secretary of the Municipality María del Rosario Torres Noriega told media the municipality is interested in obtaining a concession for the aquarium but denied the proposal has been decided or that it will land in the hands of Acuario Inbursa.

(from Noroeste)

Parque Central to be Ready in Five Years

by Maureen Dietrich
23 Feb 15
mazmessenger.com

The Central Park project for Mazatlán announced in August, 2014 will be a reality within five years said Roberto Díaz García, director of Municipal investments and one of those responsible for the initiative.

Elements of the project include construction of the park in what is now the Bosque de la Ciudad, construction of a museum financed by private business, resizing of the aquarium and the purchase of private property in the area.

Parque Central will cover 30 hectares, 18 of which are now the Bosque and 12 presently belonging to the Tellerías family.

Replying to concerns of environmentalists about the impact on the natural Bosque reserve, Díaz García said they will present a sustainable project not only to protect what now exists but also to enrich it.

(from Noroeste)

Fewer Turtle Nests Rescued in 2014

by Maureen Dietrich
27 Jan 15
mazmessenger.com 

José Barrón Hernández, head of the aquarium´s turtle protection program, said in 2014 the aquarium rescued 250 fewer turtle nests than in 2013. Climate conditions of rain and high waves on Mazatlán beaches forced turtles to head south to lay their eggs, he explained.

Personnel rescued 1,025 nests containing 95,311 eggs and liberated 78,892 baby turtles in 2014.
In contrast to last year when turtles inexplicably arrived early to lay their eggs, this year not one turtle has been sited to date, said Barrón Hernández, saying it all depends on the climate. Nonetheless, year after year they see more turtles which they think are those liberated on Mazatlán beaches over the 25 years the program has been in place. They return to their hatching site to lay eggs when they reach maturity at 12 or 15 years of age, he explained.

Out of every 100 baby turtles released to the sea, only one or two survive to become adults. For that reason, stated the program coordinator, we must save as many as possible less they become extinct.

(from Noroeste)

Legalizarán la "entrega" del Acuario

Liliana Zamora

21-01-2015

noroeste.com


Con miras a prepararlo legalmente para una posible concesión, el Cabildo discutirá en sesión extraordinaria reformas al decreto de creación del Acuario Mazatlán.

Después de un primer acercamiento entre las comisiones de Gobernación, de Concertación Política y Transitoria del Acuario, el Regidor Loar Susek López Delgado, coordinador de la Comisión de Gobernación, explicó que el interés es adecuarlo a las condiciones actuales y al momento que vive el organismo paramunicipal.

"Se busca una reforma para que tenga personalidad jurídica para cualquier situación que le represente. Es una manera para que podamos estar en condiciones y caminar, si así toma la decisión el cuerpo edilicio y el Presidente Municipal, que podamos transitar hacia una concesión, efectivamente".

Los artículos que se pretenden reformar y que serán votados en los próximos días son el 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13 y 14.

López Delgado recordó que la última modificación se realizó el 21 de enero de 1991, por lo que es necesario adecuarlo para proyectos futuros como el Parque Central, que promueve el empresario Ernesto Coppel Kelly.

"Por supuesto que sí se está preparando en un esquema legal, a como podemos estar preparándolo para adquirir una inversión federal o municipal, simplemente lo que estamos haciendo es preparándolo legalmente y blindándolo para que no haya ninguna demanda o problema a terceros", añadió el edil.

"De hecho, dentro de este decreto también se está planteando hasta dónde está el terreno del Acuario, y que ya no se tenga que agarrar más lo que es el Bosque de la Ciudad, con miras a tener el Parque Central. Ya está delimitado, pero lo vamos a sustentar muy bien en papel porque está todavía suelto".

En 2006 hubo una modificación al artículo 7, pero para añadir a más integrantes al consejo. Lo que ahora se pretende es que cada consejero pueda nombrar a su suplente en caso de ausencias.

La semana pasada, David Cristóbal Álvarez Bernal, socio director del Bufete Álvarez y Asociados y presidente del Consejo Directivo de Acciones Colectivas de Sinaloa A.C, aseguró que el Ayuntamiento no puede concesionar el Acuario porque el terreno fue dado en donación. De hacerlo, el Ayuntamiento, y específicamente los servidores públicos que "alcen la mano" para votarlo a favor, serían acreedores a faltas administrativas y penales.

Aquarium Shark Tank Could be Open by Easter

by Maureen Dietrich

8 Jan 15 

mazmessenger.com

Fraught with construction and technical errors, the shark tank remains empty

In July, 2010 the construction of a shark tank at Mazatlán’s aquarium began. At that time, the Sinaloa government announced the tank would be open to the public at the end of that year or beginning of 2011. Fraught with construction and technical errors, the shark tank remains empty and has become a thorn in the side of both the Sinaloa and municipal governments.

Yesterday at a closed door meeting, Mazatlán Mayor Carlos Felton and Secretary of Public Works, José Luis Sevilla, agreed to move the project forward saying they see many positive aspects for the project and ways to solve current problems.

Including, they announced, a meeting with a technician today who investigated the installation and operation of the tank’s life support system to diagnose what is missing and how much it will cost to make the tank operational. With luck, said the Mayor, there will be sharks in the tank by Semana Santa (Easter).

And although the Secretary of Public Works stated there are no funds in the municipality´s budget for the project, the Mayor assured media Sinaloa Public Works has money earmarked for the aquarium and the Secretary of Tourism may have some remaining funds to contribute.

Municipal councilmen Humberto Becerra Batista, coordinator of the Comisión de Urbanismo, and Esperanza Kazuga Osaka, pointed out they were not included in the closed door meeting and called for transparency saying although they have insisted on being given information about the project they have not received any explanations.

What they have noticed, said Becerra Batista, is a project poorly executed which has not been explained to them. They want transparency and an accounting and called on the Sinaloa Auditor General´s office to follow up.

 (from Noroeste)

Aquarium Plans new Penguin Habitat and Dolphin Pool

 by Maureen Dietrich

12 Dec 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

Jorge del Rincón Jerero, director of Mazatlán’s aquarium, said on Wednesday that the growth of the aquarium should not stop if they wish to continue to be an important tourist attraction in the port.

In the case of the incomplete shark tank begun four years ago, he advised the search for funds continues and should be available next year.

What he wants to do in 2015, he told reporters, is renew the aquarium with new shows, upgrade the 34 year old building, install a penguin habitat where the botanical gardens are presently located and build a dolphin pool.

He estimated that by the end of December, 330,000 people will have visited the aquarium this year. 

(from Noroeste)

Mazatlán Central Park Project to Begin Next Year

by Maureen Dietrich

24 Nov 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

Construction of the museum is estimated to cost 400 million pesos of private and public funds.

The first drawings of what will be Mazatlán Parque Central are ready and work is expected to begin within the first three months of 2015.

Guillermo Zerecero Velo of the Proyecta company said during the past two years of working on the project with Mazatlán hotel owner Ernesto Coppel Kelly, advances have been made in terms of liaision with the Federal government, development of an executive plan and production of the first architectural drawings.

Said Zerecero Velo, “The park project is a reality thanks to one determining factor: unity. A group of Mazatlán businessmen, the Municipality, the Sinaloa Secretary of Tourism and Sinaloa Governor´s office are working together to propel the project forward.”

He advised they had presented last week the first working drawings of the architecture of what will be an iconic building for its infrastructure, modernity and size.

Construction of the museum is estimated to cost 400 million pesos of private and public funds. Approximately 10 million pesos have already been expended on the Central Park project paid for by 14 businesses comprising the Fideicomiso “Unión Mazatlán” presided over by Ernesto Coppel.

Next week, said Zerecero Velo, a Culiacán business will invest a further five million pesos and in December money will be received from the Mazatlán municipality and State Secretary of Tourism.

The park will be constructed on 30 hectares with access from the Malecón. Of the 30 hectares, 18 are part of the Bosque de la Ciudad (City Forest) and 12 belong to the Tellerías family which the conglomerate in the process of purchasing.

Two new designs not incorporated in the plan presented to the public on August 11 this year are a cultural corridor of statues linking the museum with the aquarium and an aviary.

 (from Noroeste)

Domestic Visitors to Mazatlán Give City High Marks

by Murry Page

24 Sep 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

The city’s survey of its domestic visitors during the summer season was released by the president of the Association of Hotels Three Islands, José Ramón Manguart.  The Satisfaction Survey revealed that they city got a score of 8.7 out of 10 compared to the 8.3 it got from the tourists last year.

Ramón Manguart said the average stay of Mazatlán’s visitors was 5.1 days with an expenditure of 503.70 pesos a day and 420 pesos a day for those staying under “all inclusive plans.”

Ramón Manguart said the beaches were the most favored thing on the survey with 78 percent approval rating. Other favorites were the Malecón (43 percent), the city’s food (32 percent) and the Aquarium (21 percent). However, the association president said that the city’s infrastructure rated the highest in things that need to be improved.

(from El Sol de Mazatlán)

Injured Dolphin Rescued in Playa Norte

by Maureen Dietrich

13 Sep 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

The mammal had injuries likely caused by being trapped in nets.

An injured Risso dolphin stranded in the water off Playa Norte was rescued by fishermen yesterday and taken to the veterinarian at Mazatlán´s aquarium for medical attention.

According to the fishermen, it was approximately noon when they noticed the two meter, 300 kilo mammal with its mouth open and still moving close to where they were working.

Fishermen entered the water and kept it afloat while waiting for the arrival of aquarium personnel and Profepa agents to determine how to handle the situation.

Approximately an hour and a half later, the agents and lifeguards removed the bleeding dolphin from the water. The dolphin was then transported in a civil protection truck to the aquarium.

Locals and tourists gathered on the Malecón to watch the rescue.

Commander of the lifeguard squad, Sergio Cervantes Rodríguez, said later it was unusual to see a dolphin so close to the beach as their natural habitat is colder, deeper waters. This one had injuries which, he suspected, were caused by being trapped in nets. 

(from Noroeste)

Mexico City Investors Eye new Aquarium for Mazatlán

by Maureen Dietrich

9 Sep 14

mazmessenger.com

 

Mazatlán Mayor Carlos Felton said yesterday that investors of the Acuario Inbursa in Mexico City, considered the largest aquarium in the country, have shown an interest in repeating their success by investing in a new aquarium for the municipality.

The proposal was unsolicited, said the Mayor, and he intends to meet with them in Mexico City to explore the possibility then discuss the idea with the local aquarium board of trustees. 

(from Noroeste)

Rain Brings Nesting Turtles to Mazatlán Beaches

by Maureen Dietrich

5 Aug 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

Recent rains have been favourable for the arrival of golf turtles on local beaches where up to 15 nests per day are being laid by the protected species.

In July, aquarium personnel saved 190 nests each containing 90 to 100 eggs, said José Barron Hernández, coordinator of the municipal marine turtle protection program.

He explained most of the eggs are laid in the evening after 7pm and those arriving to nest are young turtles between 15 and 30 years old, most probably having hatched in Mazatlán before heading out to sea to mature.

With the participation of hotel and restaurant personnel, he said, they have been able to rescue nests in time before predators, both natural and human, destroy or collect the eggs.

Barron Hernández asked anyone encountering a nest to not touch the eggs or turtle and call the aquarium at 981-7815. 

(from Noroeste)

Endangered Baby Guacamayas Born at the Aquarium

by Maureen Dietrich

1 Jul 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

Five green guacamayas, said to be the most intelligent of the bird species, were born at the Mazatlán aquarium this week in a conservation move to protect the endangered species.

Aquarium director, Jorge Del Rincón Jarero, said that unfortunately last year none of the guacamaya eggs were saved from the ravages of raccoons and rat, but this year five eggs hatched and there were several more in incubation. Once mature, they will be released.

Guacamayas are on the verge of extinction due to illegal trafficking, forest fires and land clearing making it difficult to see them in their natural habitat, he explained, adding the aquarium will continue an active preservation program of the species.

 (from Noroeste)

Rescued Baby Dolphin Dies

by Maureen Dietrich

26 Jun 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

Aquarium Director Jorge del Rincón Jarero, told media the young two month old dolphin rescued off a Zona Dorada beach Wednesday died yesterday from malnutrition and dehydration.

The young mammal had not eaten for at least 15 days, he said, and was suffering from two severe bites on his fins.

They would never know why the baby was separated from its mother, the director said, but the aquarium personnel did everything humanly possible to help him but unfortunately he died. 

(from Noroeste)

Young Dolphin Rescued at Zona Dorada Beach

by Maureen Dietrich

25 Jun 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

Bathers initially thought it was a shark.A young injured dolphin was plucked from the waters off a Zona Dorada beach by lifeguards yesterday.

Lifeguards reported the injured mammal was spotted by bathers who initially thought it was a shark as only the dorsal fin was visible above the water. But on realizing it was a young dolphin, they summoned lifeguards.

Approximately three hours later lifeguards located the dolphin, entering the water to assist it when they discovered injuries on the mammal’s fins and called aquarium personnel.

An aquarium spokesperson said the young dolphin was probably approximately two months old. After receiving permission from Profepa, aquarium personnel took the mammal to the Mazatlán aquarium where it was placed in a tank under observation.

Director of the aquarium, Jorge del Rincón Jarero, said there was little chance the baby dolphin would survive as it needs others of its species around to live, adding it was rare for social dolphins to survive when they are left alone. 

(from Noroeste)

5 Great Summer Experiences for Kids in Mexico

June 02, 2014By: Mark Chesnut

The writer joining in the fun at Dolphin Discovery Vallarta. // © 2014 LatinFlyer.com

Vacations are supposed to be fun, but they can also be rewarding and enriching experiences for children when parents choose the right destination and activities. Mexico excels when it comes to keeping kids engaged and entertained. Here are five great examples to inspire that next trip.

Go All-Inclusive in Cancun 
Cancun is home to multiple all-inclusive hotels that cater to kids, at a variety of price points. 

The Grand Oasis Palm and its adjacent property, the Oasis Palm, both offer access to a large kids club, which has its own pool with slide, a crafts room, a video game room, a restaurant and even its own disco “nightclub.” Travelers can also request special kid-themed guestrooms with colorful nautical and jungle decor. 
www.oasishotels.com

At the Omni Cancun Hotel & Villas, kids get their own backpack upon check-in as part of the Omni Sensational Kids program. They’ll also receive milk and cookies delivered to their room on the first night, and families can request a rolling backpack filled with toys and games.
www.omnihotels.com

Meet the Marine Life in Mazatlan
In the so-called “Pearl of the Pacific,” families can come face to face with a diverse array of marine life at Acuario Mazatlan, the Mazatlan Aquarium.

Live entertainment includes a sea lion show, a dive show and a bird show, while activities (for adults and older kids) include swimming with sea lions and sharks and a stingray encounter that allows participants to pet, feed and swim with these fascinating creatures. Meanwhile, the calm waters off of the coast can provide a good setting for beginning snorkelers to see fish in their natural habitat.
www.acuariomazatlan.com

Kid-friendly Museums in Mexico City
Mexico’s capital may be a giant metropolis, but that doesn’t mean that kids won’t enjoy it. Parents of younger children might consider a visit to the Papalote Museo del Nino (the Papalote children’s museum), which has exhibits about science and nature, play areas designed specifically for children age five and under and a giant IMAX screen that shows 3D movies about wildlife and other kid-friendly topics. 

One play area with ample photo opportunities is the mini-supermarket, scaled to children’s size and stocked with products to buy and checkout stations that teach children how to choose the right products in order to lead a healthy and eco-friendly life. The Lego-sponsored “Construyo la Ciudad del Futuro” is another highlight, where kids plan and construct their own cities.
www.papalote.org.mx

Language Learning in Oaxaca
This culturally rich city is home to numerous Spanish-language schools for adults — and kids aren’t left out of the learning possibilities, either.  

Instituto Cultural Oaxaca offers a children’s Spanish-language program, targeted at kids between the ages of six and 12 and tailored to their experience with Spanish. Classes often include visits to museums, markets and even a chocolate factory, and parents can join their kids for cultural workshops that include ceramics, weaving and salsa dancing. 
www.icomexico.com

At Vinigulaza, another Spanish-language school in Oaxaca, classes for kids and teens include role playing and what activities that incorporate “Total Physical Response,” a language teaching method that encourages students to act out what they’re learning. 
www.vinigulaza.com

Arts, Crafts and Animals in Vallarta-Nayarit
The region that encompasses Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit is yet another ideal place to connect kids with culture and nature.  

Among the family-friendly hotels is CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta, where the “Secretos de la Familia” program offers Spanish-language and Mexican cooking classes for children — in addition to tequila-tasting sessions for adults. Kids can also join the property’s sea turtle rescue program that takes place between June and November. 
www.marriott.com

Just north of Puerto Vallarta, families flock to Aquaventuras Park Vallarta, an attractive water park with 10 water slides. Perhaps the biggest reason to visit Aquaventuras is Dolphin Discovery Vallarta, an attraction located inside the park where families can sign up for encounters with sea lions and dolphins.
www.aquaventuras.com
www.dolphindiscovery.com

During the summer and fall months, visitors can also head to Grupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde’s marine turtle nursery, located in San Francisco. Here turtle hatchlings are released just after sundown, and each Wednesday evening during the nesting season, the organization conducts an educational slideshow at the Costa Azul Hotel, followed by — if there are any — the releasing of young hatchlings.
www.project-tortuga.org
www.costaazul.com

Aquarium Shark Tank Ready Next Week

by Maureen Dietrich

29 May 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

The new shark tank in the Mazatlán aquarium should be ready to install its new inhabitants next week, said aquarium director Jorge del Rincón Jarero.

Although the tank appeared to be completed last year and he expected to have it ready for viewing by Semana Santa this year, the director said the appearance of cracks in the glass forced them to postpone until repairs and painting were completed.

The number of sharks to be installed in the tank has not yet been decided, he added. 

(from Noroeste)

Warm Weather Begins Early Migration of Birds

by Maureen Dietrich

7 May 14  

mazmessenger.com

|

The unseasonably warm weather Mazatlán is experiencing is resulting in the early departure of migratory birds back to their northern homelands said Rodolfo López Quintero, head of the aquarium’s bird hospital.

As they leave, the weather has attracted new species to the area for the mating and nesting season, in particular the annual arrival of the pato pichichín which nest on the Tres Islas beginning in May. Once the eggs have hatched in August, the hatchlings attempt to swim towards shore for the warm, nutrient filled waters of the Laguna El Camarón walking across the Malecón to reach the lagoon, much to the surprise of drivers.

Of the 15 eggs produced by a pato pichichín pair, at least half reach maturity despite being pray to humans, raccoons, cats, dogs and rats, said López Quintero. He hopes that this year again the small pato pichichóns liberated by the aquarium hospital last year will return to nest in Mazatlán.

If you see pato pichichóns on the Malecón or any injured bird, López Quintero asks you telephone 981-7815 and aquarium personnel will pick them up.

 (from Noroeste)

Aquarium Breaks Attendance Records

by Murry Page

21 Apr 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

Jorge del Rincón Jarero, Director of the city’s aquarium, said that on Friday and then again on Saturday the Mazatlán Aquarium broke its attendance records. He attributed a significant portion of the record breaking attendance to the Mazatlán-Durango highway.

Jorge del Rincón Jarero said, “The Aquarium did not expect so many people, although we did have high hopes for attendance, but it was incredible what happened mainly on Friday and Saturday.”

He said that the aquarium had never had 4,000 people in one day, but that number was exceeded on Friday. He added, “However, this number increased considerably the next day, when 5,000 visited the aquarium.”

(from El sol de Mazatlán)

MAZATLAN: Swimming with Sharks at Mazatlan Aquarium

 

VIDEO BY MARK CHESNUT

latinflyer.com

June 11th, 2011

I had already swum with sharks in the waters off the coast of Belize, but at the Acuario Mazatlan — the Mazatlan Aquarium — the experience is totally different. In this beautiful Mexico beach resort destination, you can actually get in a tank filled with nurse sharks, as visitors to the aquarium watch. This shark video proves that I did it, and I survived.

It’s all well controlled and guided by one of the aquarium’s experts, of course. During my recent visit to Mazatlan, Mexico, I was the lucky visitor able to not only swim with a group of nurse sharks, but also to descend into another giant tank in an acrylic feeding cage to dole out lunch to some of the aquarium’s hungry residents. The Mazatlan Aquarium, already an excellent destination for adults and children, is in the midst of expansion that will make it even better. I can’t wait to go back and jump in the new, even bigger tank!

Many thanks to fellow travel writer Terri Colby for her excellent work capturing these moments on video!

Feeding time: Hungry fish gather around me in the tank.

Plans for New Aquarium and Museum Forge Ahead

by Maureen Dietrichon 4 Feb 14  
mazmessenger.com
 

A total of 2,500,000 pesos will be invested in a new aquarium and archeological museum in Mazatlán, projects to be headed by local hotel owner Ernesto Coppel Kelly announced Mayor Carlos Felton on Saturday.

The entrepreneur and Mayor met with Sinaloa Governor Mario López Valdez last weekend to discuss the projects and their location.

Although the location has not yet been decided, a possible alternative said the Mayor is the Marina Mazatlán zone.

(from Noroeste)