New Rustic Dock Plan Sparks Debate in Cozumel

Cozumel, Mexico — Amid ongoing protests by citizens and environmentalists against the controversial fourth cruise ship dock project in Cozumel, another coastal infrastructure proposal has been submitted to environmental authorities. The company Paraíso El Cedral S.A. de C.V. is seeking approval from Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) to operate a rustic wooden dock in the southern part of the island.

Details of the Proposed Dock

According to documents filed on June 27, the company submitted an Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) under the “particular” category to legalize and operate an existing dock. The structure, made from regional hardwood, spans 179.5 square meters, covering both marine and federal maritime-terrestrial zones.

The project is located along Cozumel’s southern coast, an area known for its beaches, coral reefs, and high ecological sensitivity. The company describes the dock as a low-impact facility, though its operation must still undergo federal environmental review.

Broader Context of Opposition

This application comes at a tense moment for the island, where activists, scientists, and tourism service providers have strongly opposed the construction of a fourth cruise ship dock, citing severe risks to marine ecosystems—particularly coral reefs, a natural treasure of Cozumel.

While the Paraíso El Cedral project is smaller in scale and unrelated to large-scale cruise tourism, concerns about coastal degradation and infrastructure saturation have led civil society groups to scrutinize all new developments closely. Activists argue that cumulative environmental impacts must be rigorously assessed, given the island’s existing docks and unregulated growth in nautical tourism.

Next Steps

Semarnat must now determine whether the rustic dock meets legal requirements and poses no threat to the fragile ecological balance of Cozumel’s southern coast.