Alacranes Reef undergoes ecological transformation through conservation

A binational team of researchers from the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) recently conducted a study of the Alacranes Reef in the southern Gulf of Mexico.

The research effort involved multiple specialized teams. The Coral Lab documented coral communities and examined bleaching, while the Bird Lab utilized drones to count nesting seabirds such as frigatebirds and masked boobies. Additional work focused on documenting marine debris and plastic pollution through Nurdle Patrol surveys.

Now a protected national park, the Alacranes Reef has seen significant ecological changes compared to forty years ago when fishing and wildlife collection were permitted. Researchers observed active sea turtle emergence, queen conch populations, and various shark species during their visit.