THE CONTINUITY OF LIFE AT SEA DEPENDS ON PLACES LIKE THE CABO PULMO CORAL REEF. THERE ARE MANY TOURIST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORLD. THERE IS ONLY ONE CABO PULMO.

A well-planned development is in the interest of all. Being one of the greatest marine conservation successes in Mexico, the protection of Cabo Pulmo must be made compatible with the promotion of tourism by the state. This requires that government authorities carefully assess the type of developments permitted around the park and that the community at large understand the potential impacts that result from poorly planned developments.

	The construction of a mega-development covering 3,800 hectares, an area the size of the city of San Jose del Cabo, in a region that is sparsely populated, containing fragile ecosystems and limited water supply is not sustainable. Background
	The National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP, the park authority) and scientific experts in the area have stated that the construction and operation of the Cabo Cortes project threatens the Cabo Pulmo coral reef. SEMARNAT ignored these recommendations when it approved the project. Background
	Damage to the reef would mean the loss of an important site for migrating marine species that have returned to the area, like whale sharks, sea turtles, the Pacific manta rays and humpback whales.
	The construction of a marina in an area covered by sand dunes will have irreversible consequences on the conformation of the coastline and coastal sea water transport, thereby causing beach erosion adjacent to the project and the loss of a site that is vital to nesting sea turtles. Background
	In Baja California Sur fresh water is scarce. One third of the water that the Cabo Cortés development requires will be taken from the Santiago aquifer, the only aquifer in the southern portion of the state that to date has not been overexploited. The volume of water permitted to be taken by Cabo Cortes is equivalent to the average daily consumption by 82,000 people. Background
	The construction and operation of Cabo Cortés will required 40,000 laborers. The project plans to build a support city of 5000 houses for these workers, but does not provide for the growing demand for public services that will also occur. It is expected that these settlements will have a negative impact on quality of life in nearby communities.
	A development of this size will compete with established destinations in Los Cabos, which according to official figures had an average occupancy rate of 52% in 2009, and 63% so far this year. There is therefore the risk of creating an oversupply, while causing unnecessary environmental damage and destroying existing natural attractions like the Cabo Pulmo coral reef. Background
	Population growth and the work that a development of this magnitude brings to an area threatens one of the richest archaeological sites in Baja California Sur and thus the historical and cultural heritage of Mexico. Background

THE CONTINUITY OF LIFE AT SEA DEPENDS ON PLACES LIKE THE CABO PULMO CORAL REEF. THERE ARE MANY TOURIST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORLD. THERE IS ONLY ONE CABO PULMO.

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