{"id":71741,"date":"2024-12-10T20:40:58","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T19:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/?p=71741"},"modified":"2025-01-08T12:18:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T11:18:43","slug":"cabo-pulmo-risk-plundered-profit-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/story\/71741\/cabo-pulmo-risk-plundered-profit-again\/","title":{"rendered":"Cabo Pulmo is at risk of being plundered for profit – again"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cabo Pulmo is an underwater paradise. The national park, on the east coast of Mexico\u2019s Baja California Peninsula, is home to one of the world\u2019s most important coral reefs that provide refuge to iconic marine species, like whale sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles. <\/p>\n\n

\"Marine
Underwater beauty in Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur.
\u00a9 Octavio Aburto \/ International League of Conservation Photographers \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

A history of action for Cabo Pulmo<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n

Cabo Pulmo is an incredible example of marine conservation in action. It became a National Park in 1995, after many years of campaigning from local communities, who fought to protect the area against overfishing and irresponsible tourism. Since then, fish populations have increased by more than 400% and many of its notable species, like whale sharks, have returned.<\/p>\n\n

Unfortunately, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is now once again in the crosshairs of greedy corporations that want to exploit the area’s natural marine and terrestrial beauty for profit. Over the years, several real estate and tourism companies have tried but failed. <\/p>\n\n

Back in 2008, Hansa Urbana tried to develop a new tourist complex, Cabo Cort\u00e9s, in an area bordering Cabo Pulmo. The project\u2019s wastewater discharge, as well as oil from tourist boats, and the high demand for drinking water, to name a few issues, would have had a devastating impact on the reef and its marine life.<\/p>\n\n

\""Save
Activists from Greenpeace M\u00e9xico and Cabo Pulmo Vivo displayed the message “Save Cabo Pulmo!” inside a giant life saver ring to demand the revocation of the predatory touristic project Cabo Cort\u00e9s that threatens the marine reserve of Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur.
\u00a9 Prometeo Lucero \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Local communities worked tirelessly alongside organisations, including Greenpeace Mexico, to pressure the government to cancel Cabo Cort\u00e9s. Over 220,000 citizens signed the Greenpeace petition to stop this destructive project. Finally, in 2012, Mexican President Felipe Calder\u00f3n\u2019s government listened to the voices of the people and cancelled the plans. This momentous victory demonstrates the impact of people power in defending ocean sanctuaries.<\/p>\n\n

Corporate greed is once again threatening to destroy Cabo Pulmo and its abundance of biodiversity. Two new projects, La Abundancia and Baja Bay Club, want to transform nearly 700 hectares of land surrounding Cabo Pulmo into enormous hotels, golf courses, villas, beach clubs, shopping centres, and a desalination plant.<\/p>\n\n

In the last days of outgoing Mexican President Andr\u00e9s Manuel L\u00f3pez Obrador\u2019s administration, the local representation of the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) approved both projects. SAMARNAT fully ignored the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas\u2019 (CONANP) warnings that these projects are incompatible with the conservation of the Cabo Pulmo National Park.<\/p>\n\n

So what\u2019s at stake? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

If these projects move forward, the consequences will be devastating for Cabo Pulmo\u2019s marine ecosystems and local communities:<\/p>\n\n