Parque Nacional Cabo Pulmo. 02/02/08; Baja California Sur; 7,100 ha; 23°27'N 109°25'W. National Park. UNESCO World Heritage site. This is one of the only coral reefs found in the eastern Pacific and the only one in the Gulf of California. More than 20,000 years old, it is one of the oldest coral reefs in the American Pacific. Among the noteworthy fauna are five endangered marine turtle species (Caretta caretta, Chelonia agassizi, Dermochelys coriacea, Eretmochelys imbricata y Lepidochelys olivacea) and six cetacean species (Balaenoptera edén, Balaenoptera physalus, Megaptera novaeangliae, Stenella longirostris, Steno bredanensis, Tursiops truncatus) found under special protection. The site is home to 11 of the 14 species of hermatypic corals. Concerning fish communities, 226 reef species have been sighted, and the site is extremely important for numerous bird species. 99% of the site is marine and the only land portion comprises the beaches included in the Terrestrial Federal Marine Zone. The adverse factors in the site are mainly sport fishing, nautical traffic and pollution damaging corals and other species. The site has had a management plan since 2006. Ramsar site no. 1778. Most recent RIS information: 2008.

Baja California Sur