Mexican Navy Approves Artificial Reef Project off Yucatán Coast

San Felipe, Yucatán — The Mexican Navy has approved the creation of an artificial reef system off the coasts of San Felipe and Río Lagartos, a project that aims to protect marine species and expand nature tourism, state officials announced.

Yucatán Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena said the initiative, developed with the federal administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, calls for the controlled sinking of decommissioned Navy vessels to create habitats for marine life and new sites for diving and snorkeling.

Díaz Mena announced the project during a visit to San Felipe, where he distributed maritime radio equipment under the state’s Safety at Sea program. The radios complete coverage for all 4,500 registered small boats in Yucatán, improving emergency response and communication at sea, officials said.

The governor also distributed Navy-certified life jackets to tour boat operators as part of a state program that has set aside nearly 2 million pesos for more than 50 community tourism cooperatives along the coast. In addition, he delivered trailers to San Felipe and Dzilam Bravo to help fishermen move and protect their boats during hurricane season.

Infrastructure already completed in San Felipe includes the remodeling of the Punta Bachul dock shelter, the rehabilitation of 27 beach palapas, or thatched shelters, at Playa Bonita, more than 20 kilometers of farm access roads, upgrades to the livestock station, and new covered sports courts at local schools. The governor also opened a five-a-side soccer field in the Santo Domingo neighborhood.

Officials said future projects include 200 homes through Conavi, the national housing commission, along with drinking water, electrification and paving improvements, a new high school, and a community center with cultural and sports facilities. A new avenue with sidewalks and a bicycle path connecting Santo Domingo to the local cemetery will be built in a later phase.