Where We Work › Western Caribbean › Mexico
Cozumel
Cozumel’s Coral Reefs
The coral reefs off the coast of Cozumel are part of the Mesoamerican Reef—the second-largest barrier reef system in the world. Corals and wildlife are connected across the Mesoamerican Reef, so what happens in Cozumel can affect coral reefs and communities in other nearby countries.
But like in many areas along the Central American Caribbean coast, coral reefs in Cozumel are in trouble. Unsustainable tourism and overfishing damage critical habitat and remove important wildlife that help keep coral reefs healthy.
In 2019, Cozumel received 4.2 million visitors from cruise ships alone. While visitors come for the beautiful blue waters and white sand beaches, the influx of tourists and the businesses to support those tourists place a heavy burden on Cozumel’s coral reefs.
Our Work
We partner with local businesses in Cozumel, and along the Quintana Roo coastline, to advocate for sustainable tourism practices. With Amigos de Sian Ka’an and Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas, or CONANP), we educate tourism providers and dive operators on the importance of protecting coral reefs and sustainable business practices.
We are also part of the MAR Network, a group of stakeholders from across the Mesoamerican region that work together to address environmental challenges and concerns. Through the network, we developed a set of criteria and a methodology for assessing environmental needs across popular tourism destinations in the region, including Cozumel, Belize City, and the Bay Islands in Honduras. We use those assessments to find commonalities across the region and build regional collaborations to address common environmental concerns and issues.
Get Involved
If you’re a resident of Cozumel and want to learn more about how you can protect coral reefs, contact Javier Pizaña. You can also reach out to our partners at Amigos de Sian Ka’an and Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas.
Recent News
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Inside CORAL’s Action-Packed Staff Summit
Recently, the CORAL team gathered in the vibrant coastal paradise of Cozumel, Mexico, for an unforgettable staff summit. This event brought together staff members, board members, and key partners from around the globe to collaborate, learn, and set the course for the future of coral reef conservation. Our primary goals were to foster relationships among
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The Smell You Can’t Ignore: What Sargassum Is and Why It’s Taking Over Caribbean Beaches
Do you smell that?It’s the unmistakable stench of rotting eggs, drifting as far as half a mile inland from parts of the Caribbean coastline. That smell is hydrogen sulfide, and it’s the unpleasant calling card of massive sargassum blooms now washing up on beaches across Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and other parts of the Mesoamerican Reef
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What is a Destination Management Organization? And How Can a DMO Protect Coral Reefs in Cozumel?
Sandy white beaches, turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs—it’s the type of travel destination that many of us dream of. Vacation season is quickly approaching and soon, millions of eager tourists will pack their bags and flock to some of the world’s most beautiful, sought-after destinations. But increased popularity means many of the natural resources
