SEA SHEPHERD CREWS patrol the remote waters of the Scorpion Reef National Park, an atoll of coral islands in the Gulf of Mexico, defending one of the most biodiverse reefs in the region. Home to sharks, sea turtles, rays, and towering coral walls, this sanctuary is under constant pressure from poachers and illegal tourism.

Poachers strip the reef of queen conch, squid, and octopus, along with prized finfish such as grouper, amberjack, and snapper, ripping life from the ecosystem and discarding the remains across the seafloor. Ghost nets and abandoned fishing gear strangle coral colonies and ensnare everything from lobsters to green sea turtles. Even recreational boats pose a threat, with anchor damage, illegal spear and line fishing, and vessels without permits becoming routine battles inside the protected area.

Bajos del Norte, a neighboring national park and deep water reef system, faces the same dangers. Its remoteness makes enforcement difficult, creating opportunities for illegal fishing. Together, Scorpion Reef and Bajos del Norte form a vital stronghold of marine biodiversity in the Gulf of Mexico, one that cannot be left undefended.