Page 370 - Mexico Diving From the Caribbean to Pacific Isles
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t is clear that community involvement, depleted fish populations can rebound visitors alike with Libby running the day to
with help from populations elsewhere. day dive-shop operation while Pepe, a PADI
I protected area size, fishing eradication and SSI instructor, doubles as the Director of
T he village of Cabo Pulmo, though grow- the Marine Park. An energetic and dynamic
and other factors were key in this impressive ing, is still small, sleepy and very friend- presence, he leads what is often a one-man
success. But it is still unclear to scientists ex- ly. Blink a few times driving through and you war against poaching and destructive prac-
actly how slow-growing top predators, like may miss the place all together. There’s the tices within the park. Together with other
sharks, could have recovered in this short small, not terribly well stocked, San Martin committed local residents and donations
period of time. The open nature of the ocean market; a few restaurants, Nancy’s and Tito’s from ecological societies in México and the
likely plays an important role. Slow growing being the most popular; the Cabo Pulmo Re- U.S.A., he is committed to ensuring that the
animals probably did not grow up in Cabo sort; and several dive shops. One of the first pristine state of Cabo Pulmo is sustained
Pulmo, but Cabo Pulmo provided a refuge things you will hit coming into town from as a legacy for future generations. A foun-
for migrating animals from other regions the north is Pepe’s Dive Center, owned by tain of information on the ecosystem of the
looking for booming fish-stocks on healthy José (Pepe) and Libby Murrieta. Look for a reef and history of the Cape Region, he is
coral habitats. In turn, the fish that mature palapa with a small sign, dive parapherna- quick to reinforce that all visitors to the park
in Cabo Pulmo have spilled over into other lia, a well-used hammock, and a kayak up a must observe stringent conservation rules.
reefs and regions. As seen in Cabo Pulmo, tree. This is a gathering place for locals and
positive impacts in one regions can spill
over into others and, if properly managed,
