Cozumel to reduce diver numbers?

[ggunn]

This has been in effect for awhile - but you can still change USD to pesos and vice versa at the change houses which are scattered around town.

As far as the permits - they haven't issued any new permits in YEARS. The only way to obtain park permits for a boat is to purchase a boat that is already permitted or to purchase permits from someone that is willing to sell them and transfer them to a boat approved by the MP. These permits are $$$$ since they are so hard to come by.

What about the report that says they want to severely cut back on the number of divers allowed to dive the reefs? That would certainly suck.

 

[jayjoans]

Currently there are 236 licensed boats capable of carrying 4,000 divers a day, but this number is to be reduced to 3,000 and then 2,500, with the remainder to be taken to artificial reef systems.

Is there EVER a day that 2,500 divers are in the park diving the reefs? I have no idea, but it seems to me that this won't affect diving as we know it from the diver's point of view. When I'm diving it seems we see pretty much the same couple of dozen dive boats on our run from El Cantil to the southern sites. I obviously don't see them all, so say 40 boats averaging 15 divers (6pax to cattle boats) is 600.

My guess would have to be off by another 120 boats to even get close to 2500..... Of course, if they count the snorkelers off the ships as divers, that's a whole new ballgame.

 

[Christi]

Hi,

I am wondering if we ought to start a new thread about this. My boyfriend, who is a DM on the island was just telling me about this. He wasn't sure when this was going to go into effect, but he was under the impression that they were not even going to be able to deposit american money into their bank accounts anymore. He has heard that companys/corporations will be able to, but not personal accounts. This article says that they can, but all of the divemasters are pretty worried because so most of their tips are in american dollars and they are used to being able to spend them (as are the rest of us). He thinks we are all going to have to switch over to pesos for our tips and that the local places will stop accepting dollars because they won't be able to deposit them. Maybe someone who lives there now can shed some light? I think right now, there are lots of rumors and I'm not sure what the facts are. He mentioned that he also thought the ATM's were only going to be giving pesos now and not USD. I go in two weeks and would like to know if I need to plan on having plenty of pesos for tipping with. I hate to see this change, but if/when it does I want to be ready.

Actually, I do live here and I am a business owner.

As I said above, the change houses are still (and will continue to) change money. Businesses can have USD accounts with certain banks, but not individuals with personal accounts. If a business does not have a USD account, all they have to do is change the money at the change house and then deposit the pesos - same with individuals - although I can pretty much guarantee you that individuals are not depositing their cash USD. Everything deposited into a bank account here gets reported to SAT (MX IRS) and is taxable income - so they aren't depositing tip money. There is also a new tax on cash deposits - which is crazy to me - but at least for businesses, there is a tax deduction for it that 0's it out.

While this is a minor inconvenience - I think for tourists (or locals) to worry about it is unwarranted.

As for the reduction of permits/divers - my understanding is simply that there are some inactive permits and or permit holders who have so many violations against them that they won't be renewed this year in November. They are simply trying to crack down and the shops/boat owners who have all of their ducks in a row will be fine. Again, this is not something I think tourists need to be worried about - it's not anything that will effect you (unless you are diving with an operation without proper permitting, etc.)

 

[Dave Dillehay]

First off, the new bank rules should not in any way affect tourists. That is mainly a business thing that may cause some dive ops to charge a little more...but probably not.

As for the "reduction" in permits, that may also be a non issue. The reality is that in 1996 when the National Park/taxing service was formed, the total permits was in theory frozen at then surveyed levels and no more were to be issued. Since then we have seen mega operations like Aqua World and other arrive with impunity, with all kinds of new permits--those who had no operation at all prior to 1996. Does one think that bribes were involved?

In the interim, it has been hell for legitimate Cozumel operators to expand service as the market has requested. Indeed, it is possible to "buy" and then transfer seats on a boat at some sort of market price. Last I saw was about $2000 per seat, but many more wanting $3-4 K per seat. Then you have to keep the same boat name and that is why we have Aldora, Aldora 3, Aldora 4, Pescador and Falicity. Aldora V, Hurricane and Gaviota have used their permits to support the other boat and are now used for dives in the north and east side out side the park. Why no Aldora 2 is another story!

But the bottom line is that the majority of the 4,000 permits are actually being "unused" by owners of decrepit or unused boats, who are trying to sell them to legitimate dive ops who need them to expand to meet market demand. I for one would prefer that those unused permits be confiscated by the government and then sold to those that need them to take care of their divers...even at a market price.


Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[MMM]

Of course, if they count the snorkelers off the ships as divers, that's a whole new ballgame.

Although I don't know this, it wouldn't surprise me. They need to buy park bracelets, they are on the reefs and their boat probably needs much of the same equipment as a dive boat (minus air, probably). Snorkel boats go down as far as Columbia Shallows, so it's not as though they are going a couple of hundred metres from the cruise ships....

 

[scubafanatic]

I came across this posted on Cozumel Insider. No timelines indicated.

Park Permits
Although applications for new permits will not be accepted for another six months, it appears that no new permits will be issued, and that the number of permits will be reduced so as not to place a burden on the coral reefs. Currently there are 236 licensed boats capable of carrying 4,000 divers a day, but this number is to be reduced to 3,000 and then 2,500, with the remainder to be taken to artificial reef systems.

...artificial reef systems ??? Well, let's see, there's the C-53 and then there's ...... ??? (wouldn't mind seeing the new Oasis of The Seas ...aka 'USS Monstrosity'.....'reefed' though...... )

not sure what the heck "the remainder" means ??? Can someone do the math for me, to translate that into real numbers/%'s ?

 

[DandyDon]

I am trying to imagine the cruise boats telling their passengers that they have to use Pesos only shopping? Nope, can't see it. Well, they try to scare people into only dealing with their preferred shops, etc.

 

[deeper thoughts]

First off, the new bank rules should not in any way affect tourists. That is mainly a business thing that may cause some dive ops to charge a little more...but probably not.

As for the "reduction" in permits, that may also be a non issue. The reality is that in 1996 when the National Park/taxing service was formed, the total permits was in theory frozen at then surveyed levels and no more were to be issued. Since then we have seen mega operations like Aqua World and other arrive with impunity, with all kinds of new permits--those who had no operation at all prior to 1996. Does one think that bribes were involved?

In the interim, it has been hell for legitimate Cozumel operators to expand service as the market has requested. Indeed, it is possible to "buy" and then transfer seats on a boat at some sort of market price. Last I saw was about $2000 per seat, but many more wanting $3-4 K per seat. Then you have to keep the same boat name and that is why we have Aldora, Aldora 3, Aldora 4, Pescador and Falicity. Aldora V, Hurricane and Gaviota have used their permits to support the other boat and are now used for dives in the north and east side out side the park. Why no Aldora 2 is another story!

But the bottom line is that the majority of the 4,000 permits are actually being "unused" by owners of decrepit or unused boats, who are trying to sell them to legitimate dive ops who need them to expand to meet market demand. I for one would prefer that those unused permits be confiscated by the government and then sold to those that need them to take care of their divers...even at a market price.


Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

It will affect the tourists a bit. No ATMs which use to have better exchange rates right?

 

[pelagic_by_nature]

It will affect the tourists a bit. No ATMs which use to have better exchange rates right?

Why would there be no ATM's? Don't the ATM's already dispense pesos?

 

[Christi]

It will affect the tourists a bit. No ATMs which use to have better exchange rates right?

Where did you get the idea that there will be no ATM's?

If you mean that no ATM's will be dispensing USD, that is also false. There are several that do - still. AS far as the exchange rate, that will only apply if pulling out pesos, which is better here anyway if using for local purchases - and your bank is the one to determine what exchange rate they will give you.