Abandoned Boats Threaten Cancún’s Lagoon and Tourism

Cancún — At least fifty semi-sunken and abandoned vessels continue to pollute the Nichupté Lagoon, particularly in the Sigfrido Channel, one of the most heavily trafficked areas in Cancún’s hotel zone. The long-standing issue, which remains unresolved, was recently denounced by Francisco Fernández Millar, president of the Quintana Roo Nautical Association (ANQR), who criticized the lack of action by authorities despite prior agreements with state and municipal governments.

“These old and deteriorating boats are right next to the ones we use for tourism, which is completely inconsistent with the image Cancún should project,” Fernández Millar said.

Environmental and Economic Impact

Fernández Millar warned that the presence of these abandoned vessels not only harms the destination’s image but also disrupts nautical activities such as sport fishing and jet ski tours. The problem is further exacerbated by sargassum, which clogs turbines and tangles fishing hooks, complicating operations.

The ANQR leader also raised concerns about the ecological risks posed by these abandoned structures in a lagoon already strained by tourism and pollution.

Proposed Solution: Artificial Reefs

Earlier this year, the ANQR and the Rotary Club proposed a project to sink some of these vessels and convert them into artificial reefs, a measure intended to promote biodiversity and alleviate pressure on the Nichupté Lagoon. The plan, which involves repurposing the deteriorated boats, has already been approved by Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).

The Nichupté Lagoon, a critical ecosystem for Cancún’s tourism industry, remains under threat as authorities have yet to implement a comprehensive cleanup strategy.