Mexico dubs mega marine park 'Galapagos of North America'

The Mexican government is hoping to better protect some of the world's most unique whales, turtles and giant rays, with an enormous marine park in the Pacific. The area is the largest of its kind in North America. Mexico's government is hoping a new marine park in the Pacific will go a long way towards protecting the likes of giant rays, whales and turtles; some which can't be found outside those waters. The ocean reserve, which is the size of Illinois, is the largest of its kind in North America. Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto designated on Friday (November 24) the Revillagigedo Archipelago, located some 390 km (242 miles) southeast of the Baja California peninsula, as a national park. Now all fishing activities will be prohibited, as well as the construction of hotel infrastructure on the islands. The archipelago, which is sometimes known as the Galapagos of North America, is home to hundreds of species of animals and plants, including rays, humpback whales, sea turtles, lizards and migratory birds. "This marvellous natural protected area, constitutes, for such reasons, an invaluable heritage of Mexico and also an enormous responsibility. To ensure its conservation, the government of the Republic and its president has taken the decision to turn the entire Revillagigedo Archipelago into a national park, which will be the largest in North America", said President Pena Nieto .