Los Cabos

The Cabo Pulmo reef is threatened by coral bleaching, coastal development on adjacent land, which increases sediment in the area, and a lack of enforcement of fishing and snorkeling regulations.  The park has always suffered a shortage of financing, a management plan, and personnel.  The beaches of the Cabo Pulmo National Park are used for nesting purposes by five of the seven marine turtle species in danger of extinction, which are threatened by furtive hunting and unrestricted vehicle transit.[1]

In the municipal urban areas, contamination caused by garbage (solid waste) is mainly found in beach areas, streams, streets, freeways and dumps, while water pollution is considered a serious problem in the marine and coastal environment, such as the San José marshland area and Enlatadora beach in Cabo San Lucas.

Sand removal from river beds, illegal fishing, and illegal tree-cutting are a few notable results of increased construction and population growth along the Los Cabos coast. 

The lack of resources and support for environmental programs means it is impossible to carry out environmental education programs, surveillance, monitoring, conservation, information campaigns, etc.  Supporting environmental education programs and campaigns often results in action at the individual level, without intervention from government.  Building awareness of the above-mentioned issues is critical in this growing metropolis.  The need for training programs for authorities and nonprofits was also expressed by community residents.