About us
meet our team
Mexican biologist that received her degree from the National University of Mexico (UNAM). She has been able to combine her passion for whales and research with her job as naturalist guide and operations manager in Ecotours de Mexico. She is the head researcher of ECOBAC. She has participated in marine mammal surveys in the North Atlantic and the Mexican Pacific. Representative of Banderas Bay in 2003 and Representative of the Whale watching Committee at the Mexican Society for the Study of Marine Mammals (SOMEMMA). Representative of whale watching tour operators at the Whale Watching Standing Group of the International Whaling Commission (2012-2014). Coordinates the Mexican Whale Disentanglement Network since 2012.
Karel is a pioneer of ecotourism in Mexico, he is a cofounder and former president of the Mexican Association of Ecotourism and Adventure Travel (AMTAVE). He is also founder and managing director of Ecotours de Mexico, a nature tour operator. His lifelong love of nature and his interest in ecotourism has lead him to travel and lead trips all over Mexico. In 2006 he got his masters degree in sustainable development and tourism, his research topic was “Whale Watching in Banderas Bay as a Sustainable Tourist Activity”. Trained as Whale disentanglement Instructor has participated in several trainings in Mexico and Latin America.
Expert in marine mammal handling and care. In the last 10 years, he has specialized in the rescue and attention of Cetaceans and Pinipeds. We directs the Rescue Center from the Whale Museum in La Paz, B.C.S. he has been an active member of the Mexican Whale Disentanglement Network, known as RABEN, since its beginning in 2004. in 2015 he got his certification as a large whale entanglement response instructor by the International Whaling Commission. He participated as a consultant in vaquita porpoise recovery and in ghost gear removal programs in the Upper Golf of Mexico.
Veterinarian specialized in zootechnics. She graduated from the University of Guadalajara, with over 17 years of experience in the care and management of marine mammals. Her passion for marine life has led her to participate in conservation, rehabilitation, and welfare initiatives for various species. Additionally, she works in the clinical area with small species, showing a strong interest in ethology and animal behavior, areas that complement her comprehensive approach to animal health and welfare.
Pedro has a Marine Biology PhD by the University of North Carolina and he is currently professor at the University of Guadalajara, Campus Puerto Vallarta. Most of his research projects involve marine biology studies in the Mexican Pacific, most particularly Banderas Bay, and the Jalisco and Nayarit coast. His coral reef research studies involve the biology and ecology of marine organisms with the purpose of improving coral reef protection through conservation activities and programs in National Parks.
Frank established in Puerto Vallarta in 2004 and impressed with the richness of the local fauna he began creating photographic archives. Since then he has been collaborating with different organizations such as Reptilario Cipactli Cento Universitario de la Costa U de G, Municipality of Puerto Vallarta Division of Environment and Ecology, Estero El Salado Trust, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Crocodiles in Mexico (COMACROM), Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust, Western Ecological Society, Group of Ecology and Conservation of Islands A.C., and Naturalia A.C. magazine “Species”, among others. Since 2006 he collaborates with ECOBAC in research and environmental education projects
RESEARCH
Photo-identification catalog of humpback whales in Banderas Bay, Jalisco-Nayarit, Mexico. (FIBB Catalog)
FIBB catalog identification with collaborators (11)
Project "Photo Identification Catalog and Monitoring of Humpback Whales in Isabel Island National Park"
4th International Congress on Marine Mammals and Natural Protected Areas (ICMMPA)
"Banderas Bay Whale Monitoring Program"
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
1st Symposium on Humpback Whales in Banderas Bay.
I care for whales campaign
First BALLENARTE Conservation Festival.
Third BALLENARTE Festival in collaboration with CONANP.
Inflatable whale 43ft long, named La Bonita
CONSERVATION PROJECTS
First training for rescues RABEN ECOBAC / NOAA International Instructor.
First National RABEN Meeting.
RABEN San Felipe, Alto Golfo.
A new team is added to the national network.
More than 100 whales successfully released.
ECOTOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Vessel Strike Prevention
Campaign “Less Speed = More Lives” in Banderas Bay and Los Cabos.