026 CORTEZ_Aerial Views of Infiernillo Strait (IS) Sonora, Mexico. Oceanographic Study Photos Infiernillo Strait (IS) Sonora, Mexico March 2015

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1 Oceanographic Study Photos Infiernillo Strait (IS) Sonora, Mexico March

2 Figure-3-1 Project Area: Tiburón Island and Infiernillo Strait. Tiburón Island (Isla Tiburón) and the west coast of Sonora, Mexico define the Infiernillo Strait as the waterway that separates the two landmasses. Once part of the Sonora mainland,tiburón Island was formed when Baja California separated from the mainland due to activities associated with the San Andreas fault which both underlies and created the Sea of Cortés (Gulf of California). The Infiernillo Strait (IS) is known for its treacherous, and sometimes intense, tidal currents, solitary waves (also called solitons), general wave action, shifting sandbars (created by semi-diurnal tide action), and variable seasonal circulation patterns that impact the IS as discussed elsewhere in the report. The study area is divided into five zones that are presented, along with details of current features, in the following five sections of photos. 2

3 Figure-3-2 Zone-1: South Channel of the Infiernillo Strait. This zone includes the feature called Punta Granito (Granite Point), on the eastern side (Sonoran Coast), and Punta San Miguel, the promontory on the western side (Tiburon Island). Two channels are clearly visible in Figure-2 above: (1) a channel that runs NW-SE, along the eastern side, near Punta Granito; and (2) the major channel running basically N-S that forms the southern mouth of the IS. 3

4 Figure-3-3. Zone 1: Detail of Punta Granito 4

5 Figure-3-4 Zone-2. Puerto Chueca and Area North. 5

6 Figure-3-5 Zone-2. Puerto Chueca and Area North. In the southern portion of Zone-2, note the Comca ac (Seri) Indian Village on the eastern side. On the western side, there is a promontory with a Mexican Naval Station located to the south. 6

7 Figure-3-6 7

8 Zone 1 and 2 are presented in this overview of the southern portion of the IS. Figure-3-7 Zone-2: Northern End. Note NNW by SSE channel course and complex sandbar features on either side of channel. 8

9 Figure-3-8 Zone-2: Northern End. Detail of promontory on west side of IS. Note complex sandbar structures. 9

10 Figure-3-9 Zone-3. Middle Section of IS. Note navigational channel is on the western side of the IS. 10

11 Figure-3-10 Zone-4. North Channel of IS. Note sinuous channel through the northern mouth of the IS. The major promontory on the east side is Punta Arenas (Sand Point); and on the west, the rugged promontory has two names: Punta Mala (Bad Point), and Punta de Las Perlas (Pearl Point). (Pearl diving was common in the Sea of Cortés up to the 1950s.) 11

12 Figure-3-11 Zone-4. North Edge Note complex sandbar structures north of Punta Mala formed by strong, northward tidal currents.. 12

13 Figure-3-12 Zone-4. Detail of Sandbars 13

14 Figure-3-13 Zone-5. North of Tiburón Island to Isla Patos, Punta Tepopa and Puerto Sargento 14

15 Figure-3-14 Zone-5. Punta Sargento and Puerto Sargento (Center of Photo) 15

16 Figure-3-15 Zone-5. Detail of Punta Sargento 16

17 Figure-3-16 Zone-5. Detail of Puerto Sargento (North) Note long sandy beach 6km+ in length. 17

18 Figure-3-17 Zone-5. Isla Patos (Duck Island) Note deep anchorage off SW shore of the island. White color is due to excessive bird population use and represents guano deposits that were formerly mined for phosphates and fertilizers. 18

19 Summary: The field survey and logistical preparation were completed from March 2 to March 23, The Eccosolution Team (consisting of Roger Bason - Coordinator, Julio Aguirre - Electrical Engineer, and Robert Leitner - Field Technician), was ably assisted with field and logistical support by Tiburón Agua y Electricidad (Tiburón SA) partners Martín Jeffers, Sr., Kenneth Lampner, and José Heliodoro Enríquez. Both Martín Jeffers, Sr. and Jr. participated in onboard data collection. Tiburón S.A. provided two (2) vessels for the completion of field data gathering and research: the 50-ft Toropez (Captained by Marco-), and the 20-ft Sparky (Captained by Ernesto-). Carlos Rojo, assisted by his two sons Carlos and Alejandro, provided onshore logistical support. Dr. Thomas Goreau, President and Director of Global Coral Reef Alliance, conducted onshore interviews of the Comca'ac (Seri) Indians and professional Mexican Marine biologists as well as visual, video and photo reconnaissance of the southern Zones of the Infiernillo Strait.. 19