Any updates on this? I would like to get one but need a few more directions on how to...like what bank do you pay and into what account? Etc. Etc. Step by step would be great....
Marine Park Pass
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Yes, the update is they were out of cards last week with no idea when they will have more....
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diverken374
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I am under the impression that the CZM Marine Park is not keen on issuing cards as of course there is more pesos in issuing a daily pass. I am not sure where the money for daily passes is going....another topic!
Hi Ken - not sure if this answers your question - BUT I'll try.
All dive ops with Marine Park permits purchase the day pass bracelets from the marine park through the bank as required by law. We then take our receipt to the marine park to redeem the actual bracelets. In my case, I estimate at the beginning of the month how many I will need for the month and buy that amount - when we need more, we buy more. On some occasions, we have paid for them, but the marine park is temporarily out of bracelets.
You SHOULD be receiving the bracelet from your dive op everyday. However, keep in mind that there are these times frequently, when the marine park is out of them - so they may not be able to give them to you - it doesn't mean they are pocketing your money. But honestly, the bracelet is nothing more than symbolic to the diver as the dive ops are responsible for every diver they have on board regardless of whether you have that bracelet on your arm or not. There are actually MP boats out everyday taking counts of every boat - whether you see them or not, they are there - maybe while you are diving or maybe downstream and they radio your captain to ask how many today - they also count tanks.
If a dive op is not being honest about this, it WILL catch up with them when they try to renew permits every 2 years - so there is no benefit or advantage to charging the divers for it and not giving them bracelets, the dive op/boat owner is still liable for that amount. We also fill out monthly reports for the marine park with how many divers we had on each reef for that month. At renewal time, if our marine park bracelet purchases don't match the head count, the difference has to be paid. In egregious cases, permits can be completely revoked.
What does the Marine Park do with your money? Well, that is always up for debate. Since the money is paid directly to the federal government, they allocate funds to different agencies, just like in the states. We have a very dedicated team in our marine park office - but they can only do what their funding allows. This changes with each Government - but I think our local Marine Park officials are doing as great of a job as they can!
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diverken374
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Thanks Christi for your excellent summary of the collection of Marine Park fees.
I have never had an issue with my dive op regarding the collection of fees and I think it is a great thing to help preserve the Marine Park.
I am pleased to hear of your support of the local marine park officials and those that I have dealt with have been excellent. I am sorry to hear that the fees are paid to the federal government and not kept locally.
I tend to be quite skeptical and I spend a lot of time diving on the island. It is rare for me to see any marine park officials in the park when I am diving.
I have a marine park pass however I did not get it in Cozumel and do not know why it is so hard to get one in Cozumel
I have never had an issue with my dive op regarding the collection of fees and I think it is a great thing to help preserve the Marine Park.
I am pleased to hear of your support of the local marine park officials and those that I have dealt with have been excellent. I am sorry to hear that the fees are paid to the federal government and not kept locally.
I tend to be quite skeptical and I spend a lot of time diving on the island. It is rare for me to see any marine park officials in the park when I am diving.
I have a marine park pass however I did not get it in Cozumel and do not know why it is so hard to get one in Cozumel
The money used to stay local until maybe 12-13 years ago (maybe Dave can correct
E) when the MP Director and other MP employees were using funds for personal use. Of course they were all fired and a new Director (Robert) was brought in . He served as director for several Years and I thought did great job, but his hands were tied on so many things because of the limited funding. The current Director is in the same boat (pun intended).
I will say just because you don't personally see the MP boats out doesn't mean they're not out there - trust me they are. You just weren't looking for them and/or they pass. Y while you're underwater.
