Sting Ray prison in Cozumel ?

[scubawife]

We don't normally see sting rays like that while diving in Cozumel. I've never seen any besides eagle rays. I'm guessing that they are large southern rays in there.

I wonder if releasing [escaping] non native rays into the local environment will have any impact ?

We don't see many diving in Cozumel, but south of Playa on the mainland we see them just about every dive. Last December we had truly National Geographic momenent. At the end of one of our dives there were two very large southern stingrays mating. My photos just looked like a sand storm (I wasn't going to get too close), but wow, what an amazing site.

 

[betsyinczm]

HUH??...........southern sting rays are all over the place in Cozumel.........in all areas and on all reefs, so they are most definitely native to those waters, just FYI..............Betsy

 

[scubawife]

HUH??...........southern sting rays are all over the place in Cozumel.........in all areas and on all reefs, so they are most definitely native to those waters, just FYI..............Betsy

Maybe the just hide better in Cozumel. I know they're there, just haven't seen many of them.

 

[betsyinczm]

Strange--I see them on almost every dive. They don't "hang" as high as eagle rays do, although they are easily seen mid water when they are swimming somewhere. More often than not, they are on the sand and quite often have a black barjack hovering on top getting a little symbiotic action, which makes it even easier to see them.

Betsy

 

[Diver Kat]

More often than not, they are on the sand and quite often have a black barjack hovering on top getting a little symbiotic action, which makes it even easier to see them.

Yup ...that's what I've seen mostly ... snuffling around in the sand eating with a few hanger-on's looking for a free meal ... we might not see them every dive, but fairly frequently .... I hate the thought of them all caged up....

 

[MyPC8MyBrain]

Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.. I'm keepin an eye out for them this trip.

8 Days to Isla Mujeres..13 Days to Coz. Not that anyone is counting or anything

 

[Diver Kat]

Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.. I'm keepin an eye out for them this trip.

We usually see them at the beginning of a dive when we drop down on the sand before heading into the coral, or at the end if we're cruising over a sandy area before heading up.

8 Days to Isla Mujeres..13 Days to Coz. Not that anyone is counting or anything

Counting? Like in 28 days till Thanksgiving and our non-turkey flight to Cozumel? But you're right ... whose counting!!

 

[DandyDon]

Doesn't Mexico law make all beaches public? One can block access to a beach from a road like at the beach clubs, charge for access, but the beach and water in front are public, are they not?

I doubt that they'd de-bard the rays. The local rays are pretty easy going by nature, and once they start getting fed treats in such an attraction - will welcome the snorkelers like the ones do at other ray feeds.

 

[PARADISE HUNTER]

It could certainly increase the bar business, much to the chagrin of hotel guests. It may end up like the bar at the 'Cuda - wall-to-wall pod people until the horn blows.

I just spent five nights at the Barracuda and never saw any POD's. There were people from the cruise ships, but they were staff, not a bunch of loud ugly tourists. They were from all over the world and interesting to talk to. Everyone was very respectful of one another and the staff. The pool scene also included many divers. But an equal amount of locals and expats also frequent the place.

When I think of POD bars, I think of Carlos and Charlies, Senior Frogs, and Buffet's place.

IMHO