Cabo Pulmo National Park
A marine park with North America's oldest coral reef.
Cabo Pulmo National Park is a marine protected area on the east coast of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, located in the Gulf of California. It contains the oldest of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America, estimated to be 20,000 years old, and is the northernmost coral reef in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2008.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Off Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Nearest city
- Cabo San Lucas
- Area
- 7,111 ha / 27.5 sq mi
- Established
- 5 June 1995
- Governing body
- National Commission of Protected Natural Areas
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Big predators such as whales, dolphins, or sea lions enjoy taking dives to the deeper coral at around 40 to 50 feet.
- The park covers 27 square miles.
History
On June 5, 1995, Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo declared the 71.11 sqkm area surrounding Cabo Pulmo a federally protected National Marine Park. Jose Luis Pepe Murrieta became the first volunteer Park Director on May 2, 1997, appointed by the National Ecological Institute. Universidad Autónoma de Baja Calif researched local fishing patterns and helped lobby the government for protection. The non-profit Patronato Cabo del Este, founded in 1997, served as the park's primary supporting organization while the federal government built a budget. In 2002, the community organization Amigos para la Conservación de Cabo Pulmo was founded to promote conservation. Carlos Narro was appointed the first official Park Director by the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas in 2004. These groups later formed Cabo Pulmo Vivo to improve the local community. Cabo Pulmo was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005 as part of the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California. The park's management plan was finalized in 2009. Since 2019 the site has been on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to the imminent extinction of the vaquita, an endemic porpoise in the gulf.
Conservation
Before the park's establishment the area was heavily overfished. In 1995 a non-fishing strategy was implemented, and by 2010 total fish abundance had increased by 462%. This increase is attributed to reduced fishing and other high-impact activities inside park boundaries, as well as improved reef health. Both fishermen and community members working in tourism and other industries experienced improved economic sustainability. The local community established dive shops and small tourist attractions. However, research indicates that while increased tourism may bring economic gains, potential damage to the ecosystems could be detrimental.
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