Cozumel to reduce diver numbers?

[BTravlin]

2% ? Wow. That's crazy. It is not anywhere on my statement. hmmm

Let's hope it stays that way.

 

[dktexas54]

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.

just came back from cozumel. very slow. 2500 divers, no way. were not 1000 divers on whole island. maybe not 500!

 

[Texas Torpedo]

just came back from cozumel. very slow. 2500 divers, no way. were not 1000 divers on whole island. maybe not 500!

Meridiano is probably about to go out of business too..

 

[scubafanatic]

just came back from cozumel. very slow. 2500 divers, no way. were not 1000 divers on whole island. maybe not 500!

...interesting observation...I wonder why it's so slow ? Is this time of year traditionally slow or is there more to the story ?

 

[DandyDon]

...interesting observation...I wonder why it's so slow ? Is this time of year traditionally slow or is there more to the story ?

I don't know why it seemed slow to DK, but the flights are far from empty tomorrow or other days this week...

Three flights a day from IAH-CZM alone




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Looks like Continental is delivering over 300 bodies a day from Houston, in addition to their other hubs, other airlines, bag drags from Cancun, pod people, etc. Must be some other reason it seemed slow.

Hoe you had a great trip DK.

 

[5615mike]

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.

If they want to reduce the burden on the coral reefs the can start by reducing the number of cruise ships coming to port. When your seeing 45 boats a week during high season that is a much greater stresser from pollution than divers on the reef.