NEWS

Cabo Pulmo National Park is a national marine park on the east coast of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, spanning the distance between Pulmo Point and Los Frailes Cape, approximately 100 kilometres north of Cabo San Lucas in the Gulf of California. Bahía Pulmo is home to the oldest of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America. Estimated to be 20,000 years old, it is the northernmost coral reef in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Cabo Pulmo is a small town located in the state of Baja California Sur, in Mexico. Its history dates back several centuries, when the area was inhabited by indigenous peoples, particularly the Pericúes. These peoples lived in harmony with the marine and terrestrial environment, taking advantage of natural resources for their livelihood.

During the time of Spanish colonization in Mexico, the region of Baja California Sur was little explored and its indigenous population suffered a drastic decline due to disease and conflicts with the conquistadors. However, the Spanish presence in the area was limited and economic and social development was scarce for several centuries.

In the twentieth century, fishing became an important activity for the subsistence of the coastal communities of Baja California Sur, including Cabo Pulmo. Local fishermen took advantage of the abundant marine species that inhabited the coral reefs of the area, which stood out for their richness and biodiversity.

In the 1980s, the situation began to change for Cabo Pulmo. Unregulated fishing and poorly managed tourism began to threaten the region’s coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Intensive fishing and the use of destructive techniques, such as the use of dynamite, severely damaged reefs and diminished fish stocks.

However, in the 1990s, the community of Cabo Pulmo decided to take steps to protect their natural environment. Aware of the importance of coral reefs and their biodiversity, local fishermen organized and established the Cabo Pulmo Marine Reserve in 1995.

The creation of the reserve brought with it restrictions on fishing and tourist activities that could damage the reefs. The community became involved in conservation and focused on promoting sustainable tourism that respected the marine environment.

The success of conservation measures in Cabo Pulmo has been remarkable. Coral reefs have recovered, again attracting a wide variety of marine species. Currently, Cabo Pulmo is considered one of the most important diving destinations in Mexico and the world, thanks to the beauty and health of its reefs.

Cabo Pulmo National Park is a national marine park on the east coast of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, spanning the distance between Pulmo Point and Los Frailes Cape, approximately 100 kilometres north of Cabo San Lucas in the Gulf of California. Bahía Pulmo is home to the oldest of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America. Estimated to be 20,000 years old, it is the northernmost coral reef in the eastern Pacific Ocean.