Mysterious ‘Bad Water’ Threatens Marine Life in Yucatan

Manuel Sánchez Massa, a business owner at the Rodri freezing plant, has reported a worrying phenomenon off the east coast of Yucatan. A large, chocolate-colored stain, measuring 18 by 45 kilometers, has been spotted in the waters, driving away various commercially valuable marine species.

This 'bad water' was sighted between 45 and 50 nautical miles offshore, in front of Río Lagartos and San Felipe. Local fishermen agree that this occurrence is causing fish to flee, forcing them to venture much further than usual to catch their prey.

While no dead fish have been reported, the murky water is causing marine species to seek refuge further from the coast. This makes capturing them increasingly challenging, even at distances of more than 50 nautical miles.

Sánchez Massa clarified that this is not a red tide, as the water is coffee-colored. However, its impact is similar, as it appears to be intoxicating marine life and forcing them to relocate.

According to fishing records, fishermen have struggled to catch abundant grouper. Despite venturing more than 20 nautical miles out, they've only managed to collect 12 kilos. This suggests that the 'bad water' is pushing marine life away from the coast.

This phenomenon has been observed off the ports of Río Lagartos and San Felipe. The cause of this 'bad water' is currently unknown and further investigation is needed to understand its impact on the local marine ecosystem.