The Sea of Cortez - Wreck of the Fang Ming
Locations
The Sea of Cortez
Location map
Introduction
The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, is a unique corner of the Pacific Ocean. This remarkable young sea is thought to be around five million years old and home to nearly 900 species of fish and the widest variety of whales and dolphins found anywhere on Earth. Some of the greatest changes threatening the world's oceans today can be seen in this stretch of water.
Wreck of the Fang Ming
Overview
The Fang Ming was a Chinese fishing vessel that was seized by the authorities for trying to smuggle migrant workers into the US. On-board there were 88 men and seven women kept in a confined space.
On 18th November 1999 the 56m long vessel was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef. It now rests at 21m deep and is host to an abundance of marine life.
| Importance: | The Fang Ming was the first artificial reef to be intentionally sunk in Latin America. |
| Dive category: | At 21m this wreck can be dived by most divers, from novice to experienced. |
| Access: | Numerous local dive operators organise trips to the Fang Ming. |
Interesting for
- Haven for marine life and divers
- Flickr slideshow of underwater images taken at the Fang Ming dive site
- Fang Ming
- First artificial reef program in the Sea of Cortez
- An article about the accomplishments of SeaWatch, the group responsible for sinking the Fang Ming as an artificial reef
- SeaWatch accomplishments
BBC related content
- Oceans presenter biography: Lucy Blue
- Oceans presenter biography: Tooni Mahto
- Oceans presenter biography: Philippe Cousteau
- Oceans image gallery: The Sea of Cortez
Episode region
BBC iD
BBC iDBBC navigation
BBC links
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