With a critical May 6 deadline looming, conservationists warn that the planned “MUELLE COZUMEL” pier project poses irreversible harm to one of the Caribbean’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems.
A broad coalition of environmental advocates, marine scientists, community leaders, and concerned citizens is urgently calling on national and international ocean conservation groups to oppose the proposed construction of a fourth cruise ship terminal on the island of Cozumel.
The project, officially titled “MUELLE COZUMEL, TERMINAL DE CRUCEROS” (log number 23QR2020H0047), is currently under review, with a public consultation deadline set for May 6. Activists are racing against time to raise awareness about what they describe as a direct assault on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS), the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere and a critical ecological treasure.
“Cozumel is not just a cruise port. It is a sanctuary for some of the last healthy populations of threatened coral species like Acropora and Orbicella, and for vital reef grazers such as parrotfish, all protected under Mexican environmental law,” said a spokesperson for the coalition. “This pier project puts all of it at risk—for nothing more than private profit.”
Reef Restoration in Peril
The proposed construction site is located adjacent to Arrecife Paraíso and Villa Blanca Reef, two key zones that host active coral restoration efforts, artificial reefs, and biodiversity hotspots. In partnership with CONANP and local NGOs, more than 400,000 corals have been planted in the area over the past decade.
“This is not theoretical damage,” said a local marine biologist involved in the reef restoration. “If the pier goes forward, we will lose years of painstaking work overnight.”
Social, Economic, and Safety Concerns
Opponents argue that the project also threatens local livelihoods, public access to beaches, and even emergency response capabilities. The construction would eliminate beach entry points used by small businesses offering scuba and snorkeling tours—businesses that provide employment for hundreds of island residents.
It would also force the local Coast Guard to detour more than 500 meters to the north before accessing the Marine Park to the south, severely delaying emergency response times.
In a 2019 report, CAPA (Cozumel’s Water and Sewer Commission) noted that the island was already experiencing water scarcity. Activists warn that large-scale cruise infrastructure could worsen the crisis, with tourism prioritized over residents.
A Flawed and Outdated Review
One of the coalition’s most pressing criticisms is the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) itself, which they say fails to address the ecological impact on adjacent reef areas mere meters from the proposed construction zone. Notably, no updated carrying capacity study has been conducted since 2014, despite exponential growth in tourism and escalating reef degradation.
Infrastructure Without Necessity
Cozumel currently has sufficient cruise ship docking infrastructure. “We are not against tourism,” the coalition emphasized, “but this isn’t about what Cozumel needs—it’s about what a politically connected family wants. The same family holds monopolies in local marine transport and stands to profit enormously.”
Experts argue that adding two more berths to an already saturated docking system will do little to benefit the community, while permanently damaging the island’s main draw: its reefs.
A Global Diving Destination at Risk
Known globally as a diving mecca, Cozumel’s identity—and economy—is intricately tied to the health of its reefs. “Why destroy what draws people here in the first place?” asked one dive operator. “We need allies now more than ever to protect the reef, our businesses, and our way of life.”
A Call to Action
The coalition is appealing to international ocean advocacy organizations for immediate support. “Legal assistance, public pressure campaigns, social media amplification—every action counts,” said the spokesperson. “This is a fight for the future of Cozumel and the survival of a critical section of the Mesoamerican Reef.”
For those willing to join the cause or request more information, including environmental documentation and expert contacts, the coalition remains open to coordination and collaboration.
The time to act is now—before the reefs of Cozumel are sacrificed for short-term gains
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