Mexican Organization Saves Coral Reefs and Rescues Vulnerable Children in the Caribbean

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — An environmental organization in Mexico’s Caribbean coast is achieving record-breaking coral restoration rates while simultaneously providing job training for hundreds of at-risk children, blending ecological conservation with social welfare.

Hurakaan Eco-Táctica, founded in 2021, has restored 406 fragments of critically endangered coral species that had naturally detached from the reef. After monitoring 1,500 linear meters of reef, the organization’s experienced divers achieved a 90% survival rate and record growth of one centimeter per month — compared to the typical one centimeter per year.

“Our work began in 2021 when we arrived in the region, and it’s very difficult to express how good we feel contributing to these kids. I identify with them and with the corals, and not just me, but our entire multinational team,” said Héctor Torres, founder and CEO of Hurakaan Eco-Táctica.

The restoration focuses on two key species: Acropora palmata (elkhorn coral) and Acropora cervicornis (staghorn coral), considered the primary reef-building corals in the Mexican Caribbean. The work is concentrated in reefs off Playa del Carmen and Tulum, which many had written off as lost.

“Unfortunately, the great demographic growth in the area, with high anthropogenic activity, heavy loads of pollutants, wastewater, and sargassum, caused these reef systems to be overlooked for many years,” warned Dr. Félix Aguirre, head of the Biotechnology and Environmental Microbiology Area at UAM Campus Lerma.

Nika Frolova, coordinator of the Tejido AquaVida campaign, explained that once the corals begin to grow, fish and other marine life return. The fragments, initially three to five centimeters, reach heights of over 12 centimeters after seven months.

“We have two technologies. At first we started fixing corals with plastic zip ties, then we received training to use a special cement that offers better results. We have five minutes to place these opportunity fragments before the mixture dries,” Frolova said.

The scientific backbone of the project includes water quality, sediment, and environmental condition studies provided by Dr. Flor Arcega from the UNAM Faculty of Chemistry’s Sisal Unit in Yucatán, and Dr. Adán Caballero from the Water Sciences Unit of the Yucatán Scientific Research Center (CICY).

Social Impact: Raíz Viva

On the social welfare side, Hurakaan Eco-Táctica serves over 400 vulnerable children from the DIF (Family Development System) in Playa del Carmen, DIF Benito Juárez, and the Temporary Care Home in Cancún. The children receive weekly environmental education workshops and job training so that when they come of age and lose state protection, they can work as divers, captains, or sailors on boats.

“We have children who have been rescued from trafficking, child exploitation, or whose families emigrated and have low productive possibilities. So when they finish elementary and middle school, we channel them to high schools outside the DIF system, now with the possibility of developing in the workplace,” said Deyanira Martínez, general director of DIF in Playa del Carmen.

Sohail Amayrani, a 17-year-old who faced family problems after the COVID-19 pandemic, dreams of continuing her studies and protecting the reefs. “I want to keep learning about the sea, continue discovering corals, and in the future work in a dive shop or as a sailor,” she said after snorkeling with sea turtles thanks to Manuel Jiménez Pío, a tourism service provider in Akumal who supports the program.

The initiative is backed by Porsche Mexico, which funds sustainability and social responsibility projects. “We understand that true performance is not only measured in the engineering of our vehicles, but in the impact we generate in the world around us,” said Camilo San Martín, CEO of Porsche Mexico.