Laguna de Tamiahua. 27/11/05; Veracruz; 88,000 ha; 20°58'N 097°19'W. The third largest coastal lagoon in Mexico, with the largest well-structured mangrove forest to the north of the Papaloapan river, acting as an industrial and urban waste water filtration and treatment system. The site is also of importance for marine turtles and fish (around 120 registered species). Among the species under protection are the turtle Chelonia mydas (endangered), the fish Poecilia latipunctata (critically endangered) and the sea horse Hippocampus erectus (vulnerable), as well as several waterbird species. Deforestation of the mangrove forest, overfishing and water pollution constitute the greatest threats to the integrity of the Lagoon. Ramsar site No. 1596.Most recent RIS information: 2005.