In the sheltered waters of Mexico’s upper Gulf of California, a remarkable sighting stirred conservationists: a small flock of vaquitas, the world’s most endangered marine mammal, was observed together, suggesting that hope for recovery may yet exist. The species, long believed to number in the single digits, appears to have shown signs of resilience—albeit fragile—and the sighting has renewed calls for rigorous protection and enforcement.
Cave diving is a challenge in the best of circumstances, but managing fear after a few unnerving experiences can plague even seasoned cave divers. Pierre Constant shares his insights and perspectives on the mindset in cave diving.
Unveiled by an international team of archaeologists and palaeontologists, this finding provides an intriguing glimpse into the ancient seas and the life of a previously unknown apex predator of the Late Cretaceous period.
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have identified what is now considered the world's deepest underwater sinkhole, located off the coast of Mexico. This remarkable geological feature which reaches depths exceeding 1,300 feet (420 meters) could potentially house hidden caves and tunnels, offering new insights into Earth's subterranean mysteries.
This action expands on the 2022 closure of the Guadalupe Island Biosphere Reserve by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), the federal agency tasked with managing Mexico’s protected natural areas.
They also closed the island to cage diving in 2021 and the pandemic closed down operations in 2020.
There is no doubt that Yucatán in Mexico is a fascinating region. Not only for its culture, its unique nature and wildlife or the archaeological sites of the ancient Maya, but for the simple fact that it is a cave diver’s paradise. Pierre Constant has the story.
Tren Maya is a 1,525km (948mi) system of new and revitalized railways designed to connect Caribbean tourist resorts, such as Cancun, with cities, cultural sites and lesser-known destinations inland. The new rail system will pass through the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo—the main regions of the Yucatán Peninsula.
The Mexican government has announced the successful conclusion of a project involving the placement of 193 cement blocks on the sea floor in strategic locations in the vaquita’s habitat.
Called the Concrete Block Planting project, the objective was to discourage the setting of gillnets within the Zero Tolerance Area, where the remaining vaquita population is localised. Large steel hooks protrude from the top of the blocks, trapping any gillnets they come into contact with.
In early October, after nearly three months, the 193rd block was finally placed on the sea bed.
Following our report about divers being charged tax on their personal photo equipment, we wrote to the Mexican tourism minister and contacted some embassies to seek their comments and clarification on the matter. The Mexican Ministry of Tourism never responded to any of our inquiries or requests for comment, and we had to reach out to several Mexican embassies and press them for an answer before we got the following reply from Mexico's embassy in Toronto, Canada.
The first time I went cave diving in Mexico's Yucatán was over 22 years ago. I will never forget how excited I got, swimming through these spectacular passages. I remember thinking this was as close to being on another planet as I would ever get.
