Entering the World's Aquarium

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17 November 2006

by Iréne, onboard the Esperanza

"Defending the World's Aquarium"
© Greenpeace/Gustavo Graf

We just passed Los Cabos at the tip of the Baja Peninsula with its famous natural arch (See map). Mexican activists hung a banner on the arch with the text "Defending the World's aquarium". If you look closely you can spot the Esperanza in the background as we passed by. It's a beautiful place, don't you think? The view from the bridge of the Esperanza was slightly different.

Building site.
© Greenpeace/Alex Hofford

I had previously only seen it in pictures and was surprised to find that the arch is surrounded by big hotels and building sites.

The local community is very concerned about a big tourist project called "Puerto los Cabos". The peninsula is very dry and has limited water resources, and the "Puerto los Cabos" project threatens to destroy the only wetland in the area.

Tourism development is exploding over the entire peninsula: there are plans to build 27 new or revamped marinas. Included in the package will be luxury hotels, new airports, golf courses, Oceanside bistros, spas... Wetlands and mangroves are in danger of being destroyed when in the way of coastal development.

This sort of tourism is often all-inclusive package deals run by foreign companies and the money goes straight to that company instead of the local businesses, and therefore brings little income to the community.

We call for sustainable development.

Ah yes, almost forgot to mention that Cartman is currently sailing on the Esperanza. He hangs out on the bridge and to be honest he is not very useful for anything. When shown the Blame Canada animation this morning he said something not suitable to repeat on this blog, but we think he approved.

All updates from the Southern Ocean whaling 2007 leg »
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Avast ye land lubbers! The ocean critters need your help!
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