Divers Protest New Cruise Pier Threatening Cozumel Reefs

Cozumel, Mexico — A group of approximately 40 activist divers staged an unusual underwater protest in Cozumel to oppose the construction of a fourth cruise ship pier, a project they argue threatens the island’s fragile marine ecosystem. According to Proceso, the demonstrators displayed underwater banners near the Villa Blanca reef, where preliminary work on the controversial project has already begun.

Government and Environmental Authorities Under Scrutiny

Although President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on May 7 that no authorization exists for the project, official documents reveal that the company Muelles del Caribe holds:

• A concession from the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (2022)
• A favorable resolution from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat)

Both permits were granted during the administration of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, sparking controversy among environmentalists and local residents.

“A Whim That Prostitutes the Caribbean”: Activists Speak Out

José Urbina Bravo, a diver with the collective Sélvame del Tren, condemned the project as “a whim of small groups enriching themselves at the expense of the Caribbean.” During the protest, activists documented the presence of seagrass, live corals, and endemic species in the area.

“The divers are protesting underwater, demonstrating that there are seagrasses, corals, sponges—there is life here,” Urbina explained.

Legal and Economic Battles: Dual Fronts in the Controversy

Despite two injunctions filed by Cozumel residents, federal judges dismissed the cases, citing insufficient evidence of direct environmental harm. Opponents of the pier argue:

• The environmental impact on reefs would be irreversible
• Economic benefits fail to reach local communities, where 40% live in poverty
• Existing infrastructure is already strained by current tourism levels

Cozumel: A Tourism Paradise at a Crossroads

As Mexico’s primary cruise port, Cozumel welcomed over 4 million visitors in 2024. However, locals question the cost of this tourism boom, citing:

• Lack of tangible social improvements from economic gains
• Overburdened infrastructure
• Potential irreversible damage to marine ecosystems

While activists continue gathering signatures and pursuing legal action, this underwater protest marks a new chapter in the fight to protect Mexico’s Caribbean environment.