Fishermen Urge Floating Dock Construction in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Local fishermen are calling for the installation of a floating dock along Playa del Carmen’s coastline, citing increasing risks from hurricanes and other extreme weather events. Without local infrastructure, these small-scale operators are forced to hire costly private cranes or transport their boats to distant marinas in Puerto Aventuras and Puerto Morelos, exposing them to economic losses and operational challenges.

Gamaliel Ek, director of Pescando en el Caribe, stressed the urgency of the proposal. Unlike permanent docks, which require extensive permitting and costly construction, a floating dock would offer a practical, modular solution that could be assembled or removed depending on seasonal needs. Ek also recommended building a dedicated ramp for commercial and recreational fishermen, allowing quicker and safer boat access during emergencies.

“Right now, we have no direct protection for our boats,” Ek stated. “We’re at the mercy of every weather alert.”

Critics Question Environmental and Tourism Impacts

However, the floating dock proposal is not without controversy. Environmental groups and tourism stakeholders have raised concerns over its potential impact on Playa del Carmen’s beach aesthetics and fragile coastal ecosystems.

Critics argue that installing a floating dock—even a removable one—could disrupt natural sand movement and pose risks to marine life, especially in shallow waters used for snorkeling and recreational activities. Playa del Carmen’s beaches are a major draw for tourists, and opponents warn that visible infrastructure could undermine the area’s appeal.

“There’s a reason previous permanent dock proposals were rejected,” said one local environmental advocate, citing concerns over erosion and habitat disruption. “A floating dock may not be the large-scale infrastructure of the past, but it’s still a human-made structure in a sensitive zone.”

Some hoteliers and tour operators fear that accommodating the fishing sector’s needs could detract from the pristine image central to Playa del Carmen’s tourism economy. Opponents suggest that relocating the fishermen to existing marina infrastructure in nearby communities would be a more sustainable, long-term solution.

Economic Necessity vs. Environmental Protection

For the fishermen, however, the issue is one of survival. Playa del Carmen’s fishing fleet has historically operated from its beaches, and for many, moving to Puerto Aventuras or Puerto Morelos is economically unfeasible.

With no formal marina, their boats remain exposed to storms, and removing vessels by crane is both expensive and logistically difficult.

Ek maintains that a floating dock could bridge this gap, supporting both the local fishing economy and food supply chain, while providing minimal disruption to the coastline.

While municipal officials have acknowledged the request, no official plans have been confirmed. A coastal site assessment is expected to determine whether Coco Beach—or another location—would be the most viable option.

The debate now pits the economic sustainability of Playa del Carmen’s fishermen against environmental protection and tourism branding, highlighting the broader tensions facing rapidly developing coastal communities.