Mexico Seizes Three Boats at Arrecife Alacranes Over Illegal Activities

Mérida, Yucatán — Mexico’s Federal Environmental Protection Agency (Profepa) has seized three boats that were carrying out prohibited activities near Isla Pájaros inside Arrecife Alacranes National Park, off the Yucatán coast, citing the risk to habitat used by the protected green sea turtle.

Inspectors discovered the violations during a monitoring operation on Sept. 25 and 26. Agency personnel found the boats Gypsea, Seamaster and El Abuelo anchored in the area while their passengers had gone ashore and were walking along the shoreline.

All three vessels held permits to enter the protected natural area and their occupants wore the required wristbands, but the activities they carried out at that location are not allowed.

On Sept. 25, Profepa seized the Gypsea, which was carrying nine passengers. A day later it took the same precautionary measure against the Seamaster, with six people aboard, and El Abuelo, with five.

Anchoring Restricted to Protect Nesting Grounds

Under the management plan for Arrecife Alacranes National Park, boats may anchor only in specific marine zones with bare or sandy seabeds at depths greater than five meters, near Isla Desterrada and in certain areas adjacent to Isla Pérez.

Anchoring and overnight stays are banned at Isla Pájaros and Isla Chica because they are protected nesting grounds for seabirds, including boobies, and for sea turtles.

Visitors venturing outside authorized areas can disturb these sites and harm the species that depend on them. The green sea turtle is listed under NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, the Mexican standard that sets risk categories for wild species.

Administrative Proceedings Underway

After documenting the violations, Profepa opened a separate administrative file for each boat and ordered their precautionary seizure as a safety measure under Mexican environmental law.

The vessels remain in the custody of their respective owners while proceedings continue to determine any measures and penalties. The seizure is a precautionary step and does not by itself constitute a final ruling on liability.

The agency said it will keep up surveillance at Arrecife Alacranes National Park and the Bajos del Norte area to prevent activities that could damage ecosystems and wildlife.