Scuba divers who love Mexico for its rich, biodiverse waters have something to cheer about.

Three new natural marine protected areas in Mexico, in both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, covering 63.7 million hectares were declared by a decree issued by the president of México, Enrique Peña Nieto, according to a statement issued by The Nature Conservancy. In addition, the decree included a fourth land area in the Sierra of Tamaulipas Reserve in Tamaulipas state, which is home to five feline species in danger of extinction (the jaguar, puma, jaguarondi, oncilla and ocelot), bringing to 91 million hectares the total of land and sea areas that have been designated for environmental conservation.

"Conservation can be slow to bloom, but thanks to the efforts of conservation groups, such as The Nature Conservancy, the Mexican government has taken important steps in preserving important habitats," says underwater photo pro David Valencia, who lives and works in Mexico. "This new commitment to conservation illustrates that citizens recognize the correlation of a healthy environment and a healthy tourist economy. If we can protect these natural resources people will visit to enjoy these natural places that are becoming less common throughout the world. These new reserves provide new hope."

President Peña Nieto, through the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and the National Commission of Protected Areas (CONANP), signed the decree while hosting the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity COP 13.

The Nature Conservancy — an international environmental organization with more than 30 years working in conservation in México — issued the statement congratulating the Mexican government for reaffirming their commitment to conserving marine habitats. These Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) contain some of the most unique biodiversity in the world and are of great economic significance for the surrounding communities. These new MPAs bring Mexico’s MPA total to 22.05 percent of its coastal and marine area. TNC noted that Mexico fulfilled its internationally agreed Biodiversity Convention MPA Target 11.

“We recognize the importance that Mexico has placed on their oceans with actions such as these,” said Juan Bezaury Creel, representative of TNC in México. “For us, it is an honor to have been able to provide technical expertise and collaborate with governmental institutions to achieve these conservation outcomes.”

The three marine reserves are:

The Pacific Islands Biosphere Reserve A new 1.16-million-hectare biosphere reserve, created off the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula in the Pacific Ocean.

The Deep-Sea Pacific Biosphere Reserve The largest MPA, this is a 57.78-million-hectare deep-sea multi-use MPA created off the Pacific coast of Mexico and includes the water column below 800 meters and fragile seabed ecosystems.

The Mexican Caribbean Biosphere Reserve A 5.75-million-hectare MPA that was created off the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea. This area includes almost 50 percent of the length of the Mesoamerican Reef, which spans 625 miles from the tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, through Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. Coral reefs, coastal wetlands and deep-sea habitats will be permanently conserved and sustainably managed within this multi-use MPA.

To read more marine-conservation news stories, visit the Marine Conservation section of Sport Diver's website.

Visit David Valencia's website to view his underwater photography.

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in more than 65 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.