Baja California Sur Governor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío has approved preferential port fees for registered fishing and tourism cooperatives at Loreto’s port authority facilities, while confirming that cruise ships will no longer be allowed into Loreto Bay.
The announcement came during a working meeting with the Loreto Union of Fishermen and Tourism Service Providers. Loreto’s mayor and officials from CONANP (the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas) also attended the session.
Discounted Rates for Registered Cooperatives
Under the new policy, fishing and tourism cooperatives registered with API-BCS (the state port authority) will pay reduced fees to use port facilities. Cooperatives not yet registered, along with independent fishermen, will have a window to sign up and qualify for the same discounted rates.
The fee reduction is a direct win for local operators in a town of roughly 20,000 people where fishing and nature tourism form the economic backbone. Noé Gaona, president of the Union of Cooperatives of Loreto, has previously argued that local fishermen and guides are often displaced rather than included when outside commercial interests enter the bay.
Cruise Ship Ban Confirmed
Governor Castro Cosío also confirmed that cruise ship access to Loreto Bay has been permanently cancelled. No foreign vessels will enter, and local operators will control which boats use the bay. The decision follows months of community pushback against increased cruise traffic.
On April 10, 2026, President Claudia Sheinbaum signed a decree reclassifying Loreto from a domestic cabotage port to a deep-sea port open to international vessels. In the first four months of 2026, more than 7,600 cruise passengers arrived in Loreto, up from just 1,510 throughout all of 2025. Fishermen’s cooperatives, tour operators, and conservation groups staged major protests against the change.
Data from Mexico’s federal Secretaría de Turismo shows the economic case for local tourism over cruise visits. A nature tourist staying in Loreto spends an average of $923 USD, while a cruise excursionist spends roughly $67 USD, less than 8% of that figure. Conservationists also raised concerns about noise pollution affecting endangered blue whales in the bay.
New Boat Ramp Coming Next Week
A newly expanded and modernized boat launch ramp with improved perimeter security is set for delivery next week. The upgraded facility will serve the same local cooperatives benefiting from the new fee structure.
The combination of lower fees, a cruise ban, and infrastructure improvements positions Loreto’s fishing and ecotourism communities to maintain control over access to one of the Sea of Cortez’s most sensitive marine areas.
Originally reported by the Baja California Sur state government press office (bcs.gob.mx).