$1.5M Boosts Cozumel Marine Conservation

COZUMEL, MX — With an investment of nearly one and a half million dollars, the Cozumel Community Foundation, the Cozumel Reefs National Park, and the Quintana Roo Institute of Biodiversity and Natural Protected Areas (IBANQROO) announced the launch of the project “Adequate Administration in Four Marine-Coastal Protected Areas on Cozumel Island, in the context of connectivity and ecosystem health, to improve management effectiveness for the benefit of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.”

During the project presentation, Blanca Alicia Quiroga García, head of the Monitoring and Biological Department and Academic Liaison for the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), explained that the funds come in part from German cooperation through the MAR Fund program, along with matching contributions from local stakeholders.

She confirmed that this budget will be applied over a three-year period (2024-2027) with the objective of reinforcing the management of four natural areas in Cozumel: the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, the Cozumel Island Flora and Fauna Protection Area, the Selvas y Humedales State Reserve, and the Colombia Lagoon (Punta Sur).

According to the biologist, the resources will allow for the equipping of community brigades, the reinforcement of monitoring and surveillance work, and will provide supplies for the operations of both the Conanp and IBANQROO.

She highlighted that among the acquisitions already made is a 4×4 truck, indispensable for accessing unpaved areas and for towing vessels used in marine supervision. Furthermore, the strengthening of the Canancash community group, dedicated to environmental surveillance, is planned, as is the acquisition of boats and field equipment to improve the effectiveness of conservation work.

She explained that the project includes four axes of action: the training and equipping of technical personnel and community brigades; education and awareness campaigns for the local population and visitors; the creation of a comprehensive environmental information system for decision-making; and intersectoral management to reinforce the supervision and surveillance of marine and coastal ecosystems.

The authority noted that temporary closures of reefs, such as those at Colombia and Palancar, have shown positive results, with observed recovery of fauna and a lower incidence of diseases like white syndrome.

She added that the financing will also allow for the continuation of campaigns such as the one to eliminate harmful sunscreens, aimed at reducing the impact of tourism on the corals.