Life on Patrol at Scorpion Reef

By Laura Sánchez, Marine Biologist, Sharkwater

Remains of discarded protected species on the seafloor. Tourist boats without permits. Illegal fishing inside a no take zone. This is what we face at Alacranes Reef, also known as Scorpion Reef, a national park that should be a sanctuary but remains under constant pressure.

After years in the Upper Gulf, where defending the vaquita meant pushing back against an illegal trade and fishery devastating the entire ecosystem, I transferred this year to the Scorpion Reef campaign to continue that fight on a different scale. I work mainly off the Sharkwater, one of the Sea Shepherd vessels stationed at Scorpion Reef and Bajos del Norte. Alongside the Mexican government, we respond to threats daily to defend the largest reef system in the Gulf of Mexico.

Bajos del Norte was declared a national park in 2024, while Scorpion Reef has been protected since 1994. Both are vital sanctuaries for sharks, sea turtles, hundreds of fish species and corals, but even here, protection is fragile without real presence.

Our response is immediate. With environmental authorities and the Navy, we seize illegal catch and turn it over for prosecution. At the same time, we carry out the daily work that keeps the reef protected: installing buoys to stop boats from running over coral, cutting ghost lines wrapped around coral heads, and marking sea turtle nests at sunrise before tides, predators, or tourists can destroy them.

Much of Bajos del Norte remains unexplored. On dives I record coral health, note stress, and catalog the species that depend on these reefs. One day I saw a hawksbill turtle resting on the reef, followed by two nurse sharks that swam close, curious but calm. Sharks are a sign of a healthy reef, and their presence gives me hope.

Life at sea is not easy. I split my time between Spain, where I live, and Mexico, where our ships are based. Space is tight and routines unpredictable. I often miss family and friends. But I always wanted to be a marine biologist on the frontlines, and here, I am doing exactly that.

I believe everyone can contribute to protecting the oceans, even without setting foot on a ship. The choices we make, what we eat, what we buy, what we support, are part of this fight. For me, patrols at sea are how I give everything I can. For others, joining Sea Shepherd as a supporter or crew member, or simply spreading the word, is just as vital.

Every dive, every patrol, every net or illegal line we remove is made possible by people who believe this work is worth doing. On behalf of myself, my crewmates, and the incredible wildlife of Scorpion Reef and Bajos del Norte: thank you for keeping us here.