Jacques Cousteau Island

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Isla Cerralvo (Script error: No such module "IPA".), as is commonly named, whose official name is Isla Jacques Cousteau (Script error: No such module "IPA".; Script error: No such module "IPA".), is an island located off the Cerralvo Canal coast near La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

File:Cerralvo Island west coast landscape 2.jpg
The landscape of the west coast of Cerralvo Island looking from a canyon towards La Ventana.

It is Script error: No such module "convert". long with a land area of Script error: No such module "convert"., and is the ninth-largest island in Mexico. The island is adjacent to the towns of El Sargento and La Ventana and is part of Municipality of La Paz. The island peak comes to Script error: No such module "convert". and the ridge line runs north–south with many small streams draining east to Gulf of California and west to Cupalo Canal. There are many steep bluffs on the eastern sides and many sandy beaches and points on the west side.

There is abundant marine life surrounding this island which are due to underwater topography and ocean currents and are the traditional fishing grounds of the local ejidos and is dotted with temporary fish camps. Virtually all local marine life must migrate past the island, and water visibility goes up to 30 meters, making it a prime location for big game fishing. There are abundant yellowtail, golden grouper, marlin, sailfish, swordfish or broadbill, other game, and bait fish in Cerralvo Canal waters.

Recent official name change

On November 17, 2009, the Mexican government changed the island name from its historical name, "Isla Cerralvo", to "Isla Jacques Cousteau",[1] in honor of French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau (1910–1997), who had led many expeditions in this area.

File:Cerralvo Island west coast landscape.jpg
View from a beach on the west coast of Cerralvo.

This name change has generated annoyance and a growing resistance amongst citizens of nearby towns of El Sargento and La Ventana, in Baja California Sur state, who were not consulted; they insist on keeping the name "Isla Cerralvo". This resistance is also supported by many people in other Mexican regions.

File:Cerralvo island flora medley 2.jpg
Pachycormus discolor growing on a shady granitic face on Cerralvo Island.

Mexican senators Luis Alberto Coppola Joffroy, Sebastian Calderón Centeno and Humberto Andrade Quezada, from Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) initiated a resolution to request different Mexican authorities to inform the decree where change of name was adopted.

Also senator Francisco Javier Obregón Espinoza has introduced a resolution in the Mexican Congress requesting the name change be reversed.[2] Leading Mexican intellectuals such as Miguel León-Portilla (a former UNESCO director) have also voiced opposition to the name change.[3]

References

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