Sonora sinks Ex-Azueta vessel to expand artificial reef system

The government of Sonora, in coordination with the Mexican Navy, conducted a controlled sinking of the Ex-Azueta (PO-122) patrol vessel in San Carlos. The vessel, which served for over 40 years in maritime surveillance and search and rescue, has been repurposed to join the Sonoran Artificial Reef System (SAAS).

This project aims to promote marine biodiversity in the Gulf of California, support sustainable tourism, and create new opportunities for recreational, scientific, and sports diving. The Ex-Azueta is the 15th of 16 planned structures for the system, which already includes ships, aircraft, helicopters, and other maritime equipment. Scientific monitoring has already documented over 52,000 organisms from 37 different species inhabiting the existing artificial reefs in the area.

The event coincided with the 72nd Assembly of the Association of Tourism Secretaries of Mexico (Asetur), hosted in Sonora to showcase the state’s potential for nature and adventure tourism.