Saving A Coral Reef

In a remote area reachable only by a rough road that runs through a cactus-laden desert, Mexico's Cabo Pulmo Bay appears abruptly from a bluff overlooking Baja's Sea of Cortez. Here, 65 miles northeast of Cabo San Lucas, lies the only living coral reef system in western North America. Over 200 varieties of tropical fish inhabit eight coral fingers, some of which extend to depths of 90 feet.

Until recently, Pulmo seemed destined to go the way of many of the world's reefs--devastated by commercial fishing operations that have depleted species and torn up the coral with their anchors. Today, thanks to a remarkable grassroots effort, the protection of Pulmo Reef is considered one of Mexico's greatest conservation success stories. It's been spearheaded by a local dive-shop owner, Jose Luis Murrieta, known to everyone as Pepe.

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