Hidden Reef Found in Cozumel Dock Site Sparks Outrage

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — Environmentalists and government officials have revealed the existence of a thriving marine ecosystem in an area previously described as "sandy wasteland" in environmental impact studies for the construction of a fourth cruise ship dock in Cozumel. The discovery has cast doubt on the feasibility of the project, promoted by Muelles del Caribe, a company owned by Yucatán businessman José Enrique Molina Cáceres.

Contradictions in Environmental Impact Assessment

Speleologist Roberto Rojo and Quintana Roo’s Secretary of Ecology and Environment (SEMA), Óscar Rébora Aguilera, participated in a diving expedition at the Villablanca Reef, where they documented a vibrant underwater habitat. Their findings directly contradict the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) submitted for the project, which claimed the area was largely devoid of marine life.

"What we saw yesterday was incredible. The MIA for the fourth dock states there are only sandy areas with little life and few reefs, and that they are not within a Protected Natural Area. However, what I saw at Villablanca Reef was a reef teeming with life," said Rébora Aguilera.

Roberto Rojo added, "We had the privilege of diving in the area where they plan to build the fourth dock. After reading the MIA, we expected a barren sandy area with maybe a few specimens. But the MIA for this project is a collection of lies. We dove with coral restoration experts, divers, biologists, and state environmental authorities."

Officials and Activists Demand Reevaluation

The expedition revealed a reef abundant with diverse species, some of which are no longer found in mainland reefs. Rojo emphasized, "Those who do not know what they have cannot defend it." Images shared from the dive showed Villablanca Reef in a healthier state than many continental reefs between Cancún and Tulum, despite not being part of a marine park.

Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama stated that no project should take precedence over environmental protection. The controversy has drawn opposition from local residents, activists, and lawmakers, including Deputy Renán Sánchez Tajonar.

Project Details and Legal Challenges

The fourth dock is part of 39 projects under the 2020 Economic Reactivation Agreement between the previous federal administration and private investors. The development, with an estimated investment exceeding 500 million pesos ($25 million USD), would occupy 1,144 square meters along Rafael E. Melgar Avenue.

Plans include an L-shaped pier supported by 774 steel pilings, capable of accommodating ships up to 362 meters in length. A two-story terminal building, commercial plaza, and tour facilities are also proposed.

The civil organization Cimac has challenged the project, calling the approved MIA "inaccurate, incomplete, and misleading." A representative stated, "Villablanca Reef is home to numerous coral and fish species. Claiming there is no life there is a dangerous lie. We will use science to defend this ecosystem."

Cimac, supported by researchers from the Instituto Tecnológico de Chetumal (Iteche), plans to conduct an independent study led by Dr. Carmen Villegas Sánchez to disprove the MIA’s findings.

Growing Opposition

Protests have intensified, with activists and scientists demanding the project’s cancellation. Demonstrators argue that the MIA approval process lacked rigorous independent verification. The dispute has gained national attention, with environmental groups vowing to continue legal and scientific efforts to halt construction.

The controversy underscores tensions between economic development and environmental preservation in one of Mexico’s most ecologically sensitive regions.