Mahahual businesses denounce reef damage by dive operators

MAHAHUAL, Q. Roo — Business owners from the port of Mahahual, Quintana Roo condemned the apparent destruction of the Mesoamerican Reef System and demanded that the environmental crime committed by tourist service providers must be punished by municipal, state and federal authorities.

The initial complaint was made on social networks by the environmental organization “SeaShepherd Mexico” dedicated to prevent and stop the destruction of ecosystems and the slaughter of marine fauna in order to defend, protect and conserve the oceans in our country.

Rodolfo Espadas Ixte, member of the Costa Maya association in Mahahual, lamented the irreversible damage that the second largest reef in the world is suffering, as it was caught on tape in a video recorded on November 2 as part of an operation conducted by the SSMx marine patrol program. SSMx goal is to determine the current health of the reefs of Mahahual.

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The video was shot at a popular scuba diving site known as the “Aquarium”, in which the allegedly irresponsible practices of the dive shop Pepe Dive Mahahual are exhibited. As the boat with registration number 23060900147 was filmed dropping the anchor on top the reef, damaging this important ecosystem, considered one of the most important coral reefs in the world.

The business community of Mahahual is demanding greater vigilance from the authorities in charge of protecting the environment, and they state that there is absolutely no plan or specific actions taken in order protect the reef’s integrity.

Mahahual is growing and positioning itself as an important tourist destination and therefore, it is necessary to apply a strong sanction to Pepe Dive Mahahual in this particular case, to set an example for other tourism service providers,  in accordance with the regulations to avoid further destruction the reef area, according to environmental activists.

Sources:

• https://noticias.canal10.tv/
• https://www.facebook.com/SeaShepherdMexicoOficial/

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