Say Goodbye to Sunblock: Puerto Morelos National Park’s Eco-Friendly Campaign!

The National Reef Park of Puerto Morelos is gearing up to launch a public awareness campaign against the use of sunblock on its beaches. This initiative, labeled the "Zero Sunblock" campaign, is part of an effort to protect the park's natural environment from further degradation.

The campaign will involve the distribution of banners throughout the beach area, discouraging the use of sunblock and suggesting alternative methods of sun protection. These alternatives include wearing long-sleeved shirts to prevent sunburn.

The park's director, María del Carmen García, explained that the campaign will be funded by a donor and aims to provide visitors with sun protection options that won't harm the ecosystem. The campaign is set to launch before the start of the Easter holiday season, a time when a significant influx of visitors is expected.

García emphasized the need for visitors to change their habits, especially given the current reef crisis. She highlighted that some species have experienced a loss of 65 percent due to the ongoing environmental issues.

Earlier this month, the National Reef Park updated its signage to include the prohibition of fishing activities and the use of sunblock, among other conservation measures. This update involved reinstalling three signs, made from recycled plastic, that were removed last June for the hurricane season.

These signs encourage visitors to follow preventive measures such as staying within the designated swimming areas, avoiding the use of tanning lotions, and refraining from using spears, nets, and other fishing gear.