| Veracruz Reef System National Park | |||||||
| Alt Name: | Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Marine ParkSistema Arrecifal Veracruzano Core Zone | ||||||
| Iucn Category: | II | ||||||
| Location: | Veracruz, Mexico | ||||||
| Map: | Mexico Veracruz#Mexico | ||||||
| Area: | 11.14 km² | ||||||
| Established: | 2012 | ||||||
| Governing Body: | National Commission of Natural Protected Areas | ||||||
| Embedded: |
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Veracruz Reef System National Park (Spanish; Castilian: Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Marine Park) is a national marine park and protected area located in Veracruz, Mexico. The park was established in 1994 and covers a total area of approximately 65516.47ha, divided into two polygons: the Veracruz Polygon, which comprises seven reefs and two islands, and the Antón Lizardo Polygon, with 12 reefs and four islands. [1] [2]
The reef system is divided into four reef groups:
The ecological importance of the Reef Park is such that the system is also designated as one of Mexico's Ramsar Sites - Wetland Sites of International Importance, with four of the eight biodiversity criteria established by the Ramsar Convention. Among the established criteria, number one considers the wetland as a rare or unique example, because the reef system has been subjected to great anthropogenic pressure during the last 500 years. Despite the damage done to the reef, there are studies that indicate that it has a higher recovery rate compared to other reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.
Currently, the deterioration of the environmental condition has increased due to drainage discharges from the metropolitan area, as well as hydrocarbon spills due to the movement of vessels in the port area. (Ramsar Wetlands Information Sheet, 2004- CONANP).