Sunita Somvanshi
A major natural gas export facility planned for Mexico’s coast threatens one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems, according to environmental groups who are calling for immediate international intervention.
Over 30 conservation organizations have urged UNESCO and the International Union for Conservation of Nature to take action against the proposed Saguaro LNG project in Puerto Libertad, Sonora. The facility would endanger the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California World Heritage Site.
“Mexico is incredibly lucky to have the wondrous Gulf of California, and threatening that unique environment with a fossil fuel project is complete recklessness,” said Alex Olivera, senior scientist and Mexico representative at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Ship strikes kill whales around the world, yet this harmful development would bring huge LNG tankers into one of the few regions where whales have historically found relative safety.”
Project Details and Environmental Impact
The Saguaro LNG project, led by U.S.-based Mexico Pacific, plans to transport liquefied natural gas from the U.S. Permian Basin through a Mexican facility before export to Asian markets. This represents one of the largest foreign private investments in Mexico.
The Gulf of California, often called the “aquarium of the world,” hosts 43 species of marine mammals, including one-third of the world’s whale and dolphin species. Eight of these species are classified as threatened.
Increased LNG tanker traffic would put blue whales, fin whales, sperm whales, and other marine mammals at greater risk of:
- Ship strikes
- Noise pollution
- Habitat degradation
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Climate Concerns
Beyond marine life impacts, the project raises climate issues. LNG production releases methane, a greenhouse gas approximately 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term. Environmentalists warn that the project’s construction and operation would accelerate climate change.
The extraction method for natural gas—primarily fracking—brings additional environmental risks:
- Groundwater contamination
- Induced seismicity (earthquakes)
- Methane emissions during extraction and transport
Economic vs. Environmental Considerations
While proponents emphasize job creation, infrastructure development, and tax revenue benefits, local communities worry about long-term ecological and social consequences. The project appears to contradict global trends toward renewable energy adoption.
“The international community needs to step up and defend the ‘world’s aquarium’ and its precious wildlife. The Gulf of California is irreplaceable, and we won’t stand by while it’s sacrificed for corporate profits,” Olivera added.
Conservation groups are calling for the World Heritage Committee to assess the project’s risks and for Mexico to halt development until thorough environmental reviews are completed.
