The Laguna Baja Asociación Rural de Interés Colectivo (ARIC) is a coalition of nine small-scale ecotourism enterprises operating in Laguna San Ignacio. Fishermen by trade, ARIC members hold exclusive government-issued permits to work as whale-watching guides. The ARIC’s livelihood depends on healthy lagoon ecosystems and therefore it is actively involved in conservation and management efforts. The ARIC has been an active partner in structuring the Ejido Luis Echeverría conservation easement and is considered to be Mexico’s leading locally based ecotourism organization. Staff includes:

• Raúl López Góngora. Raúl has worked as a fisherman and whale-watching guide in Laguna San Ignacio since 1981 and is a member of the Ejido Luis Echevería. The company he cofounded, Ecoturismo Kuyima, is one of Mexico’s most distinguished ecotourism and whalewatching outfitters. Raúl coordinated the micro-credit program supported by Eco-Logic Enterprise Venture Fund for Laguna San Ignacio. Raúl works with Pronatura and WiLDCOAST as the lead outreach coordinator with ejidos surrounding the lagoon.