Argentina's Atlantic Coast Reserve safeguards 220 km of coastal biodiversity

The Atlantic Coast Reserve (Reserva Costa Atlántica) in the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego protects approximately 220 kilometres of intertidal coastline, from Cabo Nombre to the mouth of the Ewan River, covering about 28,600 hectares. Established formally in 1998 under Provincial Law 415, the reserve was created to protect migratory birds but functions as an umbrella protection for the entire coastal ecosystem, including cliffs, dunes, wetlands, and the unique “phantom forests” of the kelp Macrocystis pyrifera.

Guardaparque provincial Juan Mayorga oversees ongoing work that includes wildlife censuses, habitat monitoring, maintenance of infrastructure, educational signage and public outreach. Challenges such as free‑roaming dogs that disturb fauna are highlighted, and efforts aim to balance human recreation with conservation of species like the southern sea‑duck, red‑legged sandpiper and white‑capped sandpiper, as well as marine life such as starfish, octopuses and small sharks.