Judith Castro’s grandfather came to Cabo Pulmo as an orphan and fell in love with the sea. “He found out he had lungs of excellent quality,” she says, “so he became a fisherman, as did his family years later.
Over time, however, they noticed that every year, less and less fish was to be caught. In cooperation with studies undertaken by the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur (National Autonomous University of Baja California Sur), they found out that the reef within the Gulf of California, which Jacques Cousteau named The Aquarium of the World, was in danger. This realisation was to lay the foundation for what is now Cabo Pulmo National Park, perhaps the best-known current example of marine conservation on the planet, undertaken by a local community.
Nowadays, Cabo Pulmo Reef is known for its beautiful preserved coral, the best preserved of the Mexican Pacific, and known worldwide as one of the healthiest seas of the world. According to the journal REVMAR, 302 fish species have been found in the reef; among them are the Pixy Hawkfish, the Clarion Angelfish, and the Sunset Wrasse, as well as a variety of sharks such as bull, tiger, and reef -sharks. This enormous comeback of oceanic life has also marked a new era for the surroundings of The Gulf of California: tourism has become an important economic resource for the local community. In Cabo Pulmo, now a perfect dive site, many tourists come to see its beauty and opulence. From a major fishery hub to a healthy sea and focus on tourism, Cabo Pulmo has made a significant shift: “If you catch a fish, you only use it once; if visitors see it and experience it, it can be used thousands of times”, as their motto goes.
Although this is a major positive change, threats of destruction never end. The area attracts an increasing number of tourists with ongoing demand for massive developments, which would negatively affect the environment. In 2008, Cabo Cortés, an initiative of a tourist complex close to the Cabo Pulmo Reef, came up. It would lead to extreme threats to the habitat of sea life, such as oil leaking from boats and a high demand for fresh water. The plan was never realised, as local communities, together with organizations such as Greenpeace, fought against this risky initiative. Ultimately, their voices were heard: Felipe Calderón, the Mexican president at that time, cancelled Cabo Cortés, and for the time being, the re-established ecosystem was saved.
Nevertheless, despite the victory, damaging initiatives continue to come up. In December 2024, Greenpeace announced their opposition to two new projects: Baja Bay Club and La Abundancia, containing new enormous hotels consisting of 275 rooms, 422 villas, golf courses, shopping centres, beach clubs and a desalination plant, accommodating 700 hectares of ground in Cabo Pulmo, which is equivalent to 1308 football fields. An enormous terrain with harmful threats being on the watch. Again.
As biodiversity loss, water pollution, and loss of local water resources are looking around the corner, local communities and organizations again started their fight to protect their beloved environment. Legal action has been taken, The Cabo Vivo Coalition has made an urgent call on Alicia Bárcena, the Secretary of the Environment, and over 10.000 people have already signed a petition, all in the hope to stop these high-risk plans.
The actions seem to work: on February 7th, the Mexican government announced a suspension of the realization of the two projects. Does it mean the start of a complete drop? That will be the question for now. However, there is no doubt of the great influence and achievements of the movements against the initiatives.
For the Castro family, the long-term custodians of the coastal land and waters of Cabo Pulmo, a sustainable project means viability for both the environment and its human inhabitants. They have learned through practice and experience that prioritising the health of their surrounding ecosystems not only brings benefits in nature but also economic opportunities for those who engage with these values. “We don’t want more tourism, shops, and restaurants coming here,” says Castro. “The day-to-day life of the local community is working with tourism, but also maintaining a balance to prevent over tourism and protecting the area.”
Despite the great threats to the rich sea life and beauty of Cabo Pulmo, the Castro family remains positive, hopeful, and confident. They keep striving to maintain the current healthiness of the area and continue finding a balance between tourism and nature conservation. As such, Cabo Pulmo keeps being an impressive example for the rest of the world. Where it has been proven in the past that re-establishment of the ecosystem is possible if the right decisions are taken, in current times, the local community is an example for their outstanding actions against any threats of possible renewed destruction. Castro: “We are a place of hope, we are an example that if we live with respect for the environment, it will repair. We don’t lose hope and drive to protect this place.”
For Times Media Mexico, Eline Vermeulen in Baja California.
