1. Gulf of California and Lake
Victoria

2. Environmental Value Systems
This is a particular world view or set of paradigms that shapes the way an
individual or group of people perceive and evaluate environmental issues.
This will be influenced by cultural (including religious), economic and socio-
political context
An environmental value system is a system in the sense that it has inputs
(for example, education, cultural influences, religious doctrine, media)
and outputs (for example, decisions, perspectives, courses of action)
determined by processing these inputs.

3. Lake Victoria

4. Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria, the largest of all African Lakes, is also the second widest
freshwater body in the world. Its extensive surface belongs to the three
countries; the northern half to Uganda, the southern half to Tanzania, and
part of the northeastern sector to Kenya. It is generally considered to be the
source of the Nile River, the world's longest river.

5. Gulf of California

6. Characteristics of Gulf of California
1,130 km long and 80 to 209
km wide.
Greatest depth is 2,950 m
Once a rich commerical and
sport fishing grounf, the gulf
now suffers from overfishing.
Tourits centers developing in
the region. This activity
highlight the value of the
system.

7. Economic Importance of the Gulf of
California
50% of Mexico's fishing
production comes from the
gulf.
95% of the shrimp production
comes from the area.
2 billion dollars are made from
tourism.
250 fish processsing plants
have been created around the
area.

8. Environmental and Cultural Importance of the Gulf of California

9. Actions in the Gulf of California
WWF: Already aid into making the Island of San Pedro
Martir into a National Biosphere and seeks making the
Island of Espiritu Santo a protected zone also.
Greenpeace: Wants to create along with the Mexican
government a series of conservation sites and out-of-
limit zones in the Gulf of California and various of its
smaller islands.
Vaquita Marina: Along with the WWF, proposed a
strategy of substainable development for the Vaquita to
the government.
Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza A.
C. The Gulf of California Conservation Fund (GCCF) is a
financial tool for channeling resources to conservation projects
that address the most pressing conservation priorities in the
region.

10. Comparison between Environmental Value
Systems
Lake Victoria Gulf of California
Political Relevance None.
Social Relevance Lake Victoria ferries have become popular from the 1900's Thousands of people, and entire
for smooth transportation to Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. communities that live around the coast
Fishing in Lake victoria also represents around 26% of the of the area depend on it in order to
total fishing in the area. subside.
Economical Relevance The Basin’s population of 35 million (2007) combined with 50% of Mexico's fishing production comes
the natural resource base contributes immensely to the from the gulf. 95% of the shrimp
National GDPs. production comes from the area. 2
billion dollars are made from tourism .
250 fish processsing plants have been
created around the area.

11. Lake Victoria Gulf of California
Environmental Relevance Lake victoria is considered to be very rich in biodiversity. Considered to be the "World's Aquarium"
It is also considered to be a climate modulator by the by marinebiologist Jacques Cousteau. One
UNEP. of the sites with the most abundance of
marine divesrsity in the world. Site of
migration of whales. The vaquita
(Phocoena sinus) is the smallest of all
cetaceans and the only porpoise endemic
to Mexico. 40% of the country's
agricultural production comes from the
states around the gulf.
Cultural Relevance Due to recent events, culture around the lake is in a way It is considered by the UNESCO as a World
"crumbling". People were used to a life where Heritage Site on the Natural category.
they bought native fish, they fished for their food, to
either sell or consume. Their lifestyle is slowly changing.
Conservation efforts The first plan to conserve the biodiversity of Greenpeace and the WWF along
threatened species of Lake Victoria cichlids with other NGOs wish to create a
was to breed them in North American aquaria web of official conservation areas
and zoos with the hope of reintroducing them. around the gulf. (Ecocentric)
No governmental measures taken
at the moment.

12. Personal viewpoints
We firmly believe that all the conservation efforts that are
taking place are something that should be continued. Both
Lake victoria and the Gulf of California are ecosystems with a
high value (in all aspects mentioned), both are ecosystems
that need to be preserved, if not, this will have mostly
economical, environmental, and cultural repercussions.

13. Bibliography
"The Gulf of California." Aquarium of the Pacific. Aquarium of Fondo Mexicano Para La Conservación De La Naturaleza. "Fondo
the Pacific, 2011. Web. 13 Mar 2011. <http://www. Mexicano Para La Conservación De La Naturaleza - Fondo Para El
aquariumofpacific.org/conservation/the_gulf_of_california/>. Golfo De California." Fondo Mexicano Para La Conservación De La
Vaquita Marina." Vaquita Marina, 2011. Web. 13 Mar Naturaleza - Inicio. 2011. Web. 13 Mar. 2011. <http://www.fmcn.
2011. <http://www.vaquitamarina.org/portal/>. org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=93>.
"Protecting the world’s aquarium." Gulf of California. World
Wildlife Fund, 2010. Web. 13 Mar 2011. <http://www. IB Syllabus http://teachers.saschina.
worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/gulfofca/>. org/csmith/files/2010/08/TOPIC-7-SUMMARY-OUTLINE.pdf
"Importancia económica del Golfo de California." Greenpeace.
Greenpeace, 28 Nov 2006. Web. 13 Mar 2011. <http://www.
greenpeace.org/mexico/es/Footer/Descargas/reports/Oceanos-
y-costas/importancia-econ-mica-del-golf/>"