Divers flock to the waters off Cancun, Mexico to see the area's precious coral formations, putting serious pressure on the delicate eco-system.
But pioneering sculptor Jason De Caires Taylor has come up with an unusual way to divert divers from trouble spots in Mexico's popular Cancun holiday spot.
Located in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico is a unique sculpture exhibition sunken in up to 10 metres of water.
Divers and snorkellers can admire nearly 500 sculptures within the protected National Marine Park of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Taylor, who began the project in 2009, says he was inspired by his love for the ocean and wanted to raise awareness about the ocean's eco-system.
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His sculptures are a "vital tourist attraction" and front line in conservation by diverting divers from the fragile coral reefs.
The sculptures are all designed to become artificial reefs and are constructed from special materials which promote marine life and create areas for corals to flourish and marine creatures to breed and take refuge, boosting the local ecosystem.
The appearance of the sculptures will change over time as the coral grows and marine life colonize the structures.
