Submarine cable threatens Cozumel reef species

Cozumel, Mexico — At least 48 marine species in the Francisco I. Madero reef are at risk if a submarine cable project promoted by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) to Cozumel is executed.

The project has been approved since 2023 by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).

Juan Carlos García Prado, a member of Cenotes Urbanos, reported that on January 4 they conducted an aquatic monitoring of the seabed and found that, if drilled for the passage of the submarine cable to Cozumel, it would affect various important species in a site that is of utmost importance to the community.

The site is located about 500 meters from where the last wave reaches the access to public beach 88, which has Blue Flag certification.

The area has records of various species, such as the parrotfish, which feeds on coral. Likewise, there are various aquatic specimens that roam the natural site.

Despite this, in the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) submitted to Semarnat, it was reported that there was no risk to the ecosystem, although this verification exposes probable environmental damage if the project is executed.

The project was in the hands of federal authorities since 2022. It was approved one year later.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS TO DISCLOSE POSSIBLE IMPACTS IF PROJECT IS CARRIED OUT

García Prado commented that they will continue disseminating these findings so that authorities take these considerations into account before executing actions.

The CFE reported that it will use the “directional drilling” technique, meaning it will reach the seabed without touching the beach dune. The same will occur when reaching the island of Cozumel.

The project aims to reinforce the electricity supply to the island, where the cabling will arrive starting from the Ejidal neighborhood, entering via submarine from beach 88 to finally connect at Chankanaab. An investment of 88 million pesos is planned.