Bahia de San Antonio Natural Protected Area.

The San Matías Gulf waters enter into the San Antonio Bay by way of canal system. The waters of shallow depth, transform the islands and sand-banks into a watery mirror, which, during high tide, nearly reach Highway 3. Even though the Bay bears shallow depths, it presents plenty of tides, uncovering extensive mires which are of great importance to the varied, hungry species. Numerous migratory birds like the shorebirds arrive from the North American Artic and rest and feed in thousands before continuing their journey to Tierra del Fuego. An enormous variety of fish, crustaceans and molluscs complete the acquatic fauna of the bay, offering important economic opportunities with reference to artesanal fishing for the local communities. Also making its presence felt in the San Matías Gulf waters is an important quantity of the Hippocampus species.

In 1993, due to the unique characteristics and importance of its coastal-marine environment, the area was declared a protected area by the “Río Negro” Provincial Law 2670. Thanks to this protection, various activities vinculated to eco-tourism have become popular like bird-watching, environmental interpretation and marine-fauna sightings.

Technical info:San Antonio Bay, an area protected by Provincial Law 2670 and an International Reserve within the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN), an American area programme. This includes the localities of San Antonio Oeste, Las Grutas and San Antonio Este port.

The development of harbour and touristic activities.

In 2005, “Solvay” soda water started its production after being built there.

Biological Value:

1) Significant populations that depend on the areas: an important international wetland so defined by 2(b) and 3(b) of Ramsar . An WHSRN international Reserve.

2) Endemic, rare and threatened species: the sea-horse (Hippocampus patagonicus).

3) Economically important species (artesanal fishing): Aequipecten tehuelchus, Aulacomya ater, Mytilus edulis, Amiantis purpurata, Zidona dufresnei, Buccinanops globulosum, Octopus tehuelchus, Odontesthes spp., Eleginops maclovinus, Sorgentinia incisa, Mugil lisa, Paralichthys patagonicus.

4) Charismatic Species: Sea-horse (Hippocampus patagonicus), coastal migratory birds (specially Calidris canutus) and marine mammals (Bottle-nose dolphin - Tursiops truncatus, Southern right Whale - Eubalaena australis, the South-american sea-lion - Otaria flavescens).

Beneficial resources: fish and molluscs

Functions: Wildlife refuge and recreation

Attributes: Biological diversity

Dangers and Threats: Contamination, resource over-exploitation, inadequate management of recreational tourism.