Cozumel Reef Closure Rotation
In September 2019, the Marine Park decided that the best course of action to protect the Cozumel reefs would be close the reefs for a rest. By October, they initiated it with the closing of ALL reefs from Palancar south, including Colombia, and the shallower water areas, including el Cielo. All other reefs were left open – Dalilah, Francesa, SantaRose, Cedral Wall, and everything north of there.
We put together an extensive “Special Edition” Newsletter back in 2019 covering the reef closures and lots of good information about the damage to the reefs. If you missed that, or would like to see it again, simply CLICK HERE to see that newsletter
Once the initial shock was over, the dive shops were included in the “conversation” and a yearly rotation was implemented.
This is one of those good news/bad news sort of things. We all know the dangers and damage to the reefs due to illegal fishing, careless divers, stress and disease. The closure to the reefs in the souther part of the marine park last fall/early winter did help to show signs of improvement for the reefs. Plus we were able to put in measures to stop illegal fishing, illegal boats of divers coming over from the mainland, and other measures to reduce stress on the reefs.
So it’s good news (in a way) that we know these measures work and will help save our reefs before it is too late. we saw the destruction from Stony Coral disease. And honestly, we feel that some of the brain corals are beginning to return. And we have seen much improvement on the reefs once they are reopened again. So it certainly appears that this is helping preserve our reefs. Click on the map above to right where you can see a larger version of the map and when each of the reefs willbe closed. If a reef name is not enclosed in a box with the months listed, then those reefs are not part of the rotation.
How can I Help Our Reefs?
Be a Vigilant Diver.
Be a vigilant diver by making sure you are doing your part to protect our reefs as well as helping other divers. Some ways to be a vigilant diver:
• Improve your buoyancy – Sign up for our FREE buoyancy class – stay up off the reef and the sandy bottoms
• Watch your finning – visualize what is below or behind you before you take that big scissor kick. Make smaller finning moves, use a frog kick, let the current or buoyancy be your friend to help you move away with little to no effort.
• Help your dive buddies – Provide reminders to your dive buddies, a simple reminder at the surface, a gentle guiding of fin tip if they are, or are going to contact the corals, or talk to your dive master for assistance. If handled properly they will thank for your help.
• Watch those descents even over sandy areas. Don’t come crashing down on the reef or even the sandy bottom. Make it a game, like little kids do. The bottom is “HOT LAVA” if you touch it you lose a point, keep score with your buddy.
• Do your part to help reduce our dependency on plastics and other wastes that are finding their way into our oceans.
• Use ONLY truly reef safe sunscreen, if you have to use any at all. Rash guards and a hat are great ways to protect yourself from the sun. If you do need sunscreen, make sure you get the mineral sticks that are white – NOT transparent. Also, Stream2Sea is the absolute BEST sunscreen out there that will NOT affect the reefs in any way. Scuba Shack proudly carries this line now.