Every year about 800,000 tourists visit the Protected Natural Area of the Costa Occidental National Park of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc and the Arrecifes National Park of Puerto Morelos to carry out activities related mainly to diving and snorkeling in the reef area. which are part of the Mesoamerican Reef System (MAS), the second largest barrier reef in the world.
The pressure on the reefs caused by the enormous load of visitors, added to phenomena such as coral bleaching, climate change and even the stranding of boats, accelerated the process of destruction and deterioration of the large coral banks that surround the Hotel zone of Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Cozumel.
Against this backdrop, at the beginning of the 2000s, non-governmental organizations, coordinated with responsible environmental authorities, launched an ambitious plan to “create” new attractions on the seabed that would release pressure on natural reefs.
In this way, the sinking of vessels that were once part of the fleet of the Mexican Navy began.
The gunboats 55 and 58 in Cancún, sister ships, were donated by the United States to the government of Mexico in 1962 and after several decades in service they were finally decommissioned, they were sunk very close to Punta Cancún, between the Hotel zone of Cancún and Isla Mujeres, with the intention of creating artificial reefs that would be attractive to tourists.
As part of this pilot plan, boats were also sunk in Puerto Morelos and one more in Cozumel.
The Juan Escutia C-56, a World War II ship, is already a highly visited artificial reef off Puerto Morelos, while the Felipe Xicoténcatl, a former mine sweeper rests on the seabed off the island of Cozumel.
Another of the great projects that were launched to reduce the number of visits to natural reefs was the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA), the museum has about 500 pieces grouped in different rooms, most of them are works by the artist British Jason deCaires Taylor, but since its official inauguration in 2010, various works by national and international artists have been added.
A new project is currently underway promoted by Asociados Náuticos Quintana Roo, the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP), Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres National Park, Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc, Reef Aquaculture Conservancy (RAC), the National Institute of Fishing and Aquaculture (INAPESCA), the Comprehensive Port Administration of Quintana Roo (APIQROO) and several environmental consultants.
Nautical Associates estimate that only in El Meco, located between Puerto Juárez and Cancún, 4,500 tourists are received daily. Outside the closed areas, but very close to this reef, 21 structures were sunk to create a new attraction for diving and snorkeling lovers.
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