Save Playa del Carmen’s Coral Reefs Now

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — Following the conclusion of a marine restoration project that enabled the transplantation of corals cultivated in farms to the reef area known as Shangri-La, local specialists have warned of the urgent need to resume such initiatives in the face of the accelerated loss of coral systems in the region.

The director of Phantom Divers Playa del Carmen, Jorge Loría Correa, reported that the program allowed for the planting and subsequent transplantation of several coral specimens as part of a conservation effort, though he lamented that the project has now ended.

Loría Correa explained that, in addition to rising sea temperatures, another factor contributing to the deterioration is the massive presence of sargassum, as this phenomenon blocks the sunlight necessary to keep the reefs healthy.

Regarding the marine ecosystem near the Xcaret marina, the specialist specified that the systems inhabited by tarpon and turtles have not shown visible damage from the current nautical traffic. However, he warned that changes in currents could cause damage in the medium term if adequate environmental controls are not maintained.

The diver concluded that the recovery of the reef requires continuity, funding, and collaboration between organizations, service providers, and environmental authorities, as corals are essential for marine biodiversity and coastal protection in the Mexican Caribbean.