Sting Ray prison in Cozumel ?

[MyPC8MyBrain]

I read somewhere that there is a pen built next to Caribe Blu to hold sting rays captive. I understand that the beach area between VillaBlanca and Caribe Blu is being developed for a sting ray experience, similar to the dolphin experience.

Don't they have public hearings on this kind of stuff, or did some off island company just buy their way in?

Where do the rays come from?
I imagine that they will have to debarb the rays to make it safe for the cruise critters. ugh

What about storms ? The rays just cant be moved like they do with the dolphins.

Are there underwater fences going up in one of the few shore diving areas on the island ?

Another public access beach goes away to development ?

Comments ?

 

[scubawife]

MyPC8MyBrain, check out the "Dolphins in the hotel pool at Hotel Cozumel and Resort??" thread. There's some discussion on this on pgs 3+ of that thread.

I say we start a t-shirt campaign and get every diver we can who's going to Cozumel to wear a t-shirt with a message against the Stingray attraction.

And how about a few group night-dives from Caribe Blu's dock with oh, maybe a few sets of wire cutters in BC pockets... just in case we need to cut anything...

I think it's pretty obvious that the market for this will be mostly cruise passengers. Might also be time to start hitting the popular cruise message boards with some education info about why this is bad. Most cruises coming to Cozumel are on a Western Caribbean itinerary with Grand Cayman as a stop. Although I have issues with Stingray City, it is already there and there are no fences... steer the cruisers towards that if they want to swim with rays.

 

[MyPC8MyBrain]

Yeah, didn't see it in the captive dolphin thread...

But in the end I think it's probably worthy of it's own thread.

 

[ggunn]

Well, I'm not happy about it, but it's because it brings development smack-dab up against Caribe Blu, which has been my home away from home for more than 20 years. It may restrict my shore diving opportunities as well.

As to the other objections, I really don't see how it's any worse than, say, Monterrey Bay Aquarium, where they put many fish to live out their lives on display in tanks three feet on a side. Terming it a "prison" anthropomorphizes the stingrays; I doubt whether they are "happy" or "unhappy" about being there.

 

[sharky60]

This is the first I've heard of this, but it really isn't that suprising. Commercialism is coming on strong to our little island. They were clearing the land between Villablanca and Javier's house (the house accross from Caribe Blu) in April, but no developer's signs were up to state what was being built. Now I'm thinking, maybe a new "Aquaworld" type facility may be going in there.

to maybe try and answer some of your questions, no, more than likely there were no public forums to debate this development, I just don't think it's done there. Even MAJOR enviromental groups couldn't stop the destruction of the upper part of Paradise reef for the Mayan Pier and the dolphin experience has been going on at Chankanab for years.

Not to sound calis, but I think people in general would care more about dolphins which are mammals, than they do about a fish that is closely related to the shark. And now has a bad rap because it killed the Aligator Hunter. I volunteer at the Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park and I can't tell you how much education I have to do to expalin to folks that they are not aggressive mankillers. If no big stink is being raised about the dolphins, not much will be made about the rays I'm afraid.


I don't think they would de-barb the rays, they barb will grow back anyway. there are a lot of aquariums and zoos in this country (U.S. for our international readers :d) that have stingray touchtanks and none of those animals are de-barbed. they are pretty dosile animals, very non aggressive. I would be very suprised if that happened.

the fish will most likely get caught in local waters, and as far as moving them? I don't see the issue, the animals will be used to human touch and a large net can easily be used to move them without any harm to animal or humans. maybe we'll get lucky and an unexpected storm will blow in and damage the cages enough to set the rays free

All this stuff, dolphin experiences, organized shark feeding dives, sting ray swim-alongs, for me, really cheapen the experience. I would much rather continue diving in the wild and hopefully, one day with the grace of God, he will allow me to swim with a free, wild dolphin, or two :d. Same with sharks, rays, turtles or whatever! meeting sealife on it's own terms in it's own enviroment is much more rewarding than going to an "underwater zoo".

you wil not be able to observe the animal doing natural behavior, thus, if you think about it, it's not REALLY doing the thing that your are paying a small fortune to do.

 

[Moodiejeff]

It may restrict my shore diving opportunities as well.

It certainly will, as you said, it is directly next to Caribe Blu... you'll have to swim out past the pen and go around. I like Scubawife's idea of wire cutters, it definitely crossed my mind a few times when i looked at it.

They were clearing the land between Villablanca and Javier's house (the house accross from Caribe Blu) in April, but no developer's signs were up to state what was being built. Now I'm thinking, maybe a new "Aquaworld" type facility may be going in there.

There were a lot of townhouse/rowhouse type buildings going up... I actually didn't really pay that much attention. My eyes were always directed West

 

[scubawife]

Well, I'm not happy about it, but it's because it brings development smack-dab up against Caribe Blu, which has been my home away from home for more than 20 years. It may restrict my shore diving opportunities as well.

Wonder if it will also have an effect on Caribe Blu's business, most of which is divers. Will they want to stay next to this "attraction?"

 

[underachiever]

The area across the street from this area is called Villas Topacio. It is to be a gated community of 39 houses. With commercial properties out on the road.

We were told by a realtor that the area on the water is to be a beach club for the residents of Villas Topacio. Maybe the enclosed area is for snorkling. We will see if she knew what whe was talking about.

 

[Mayor]

What kind of cage??? I will have to get rid of the dive knife and bring a large bolt cutter with me.

Do you think you can run a air die-grinder off my tank. Might work better!!!

 

[yak]

Wonder if it will also have an effect on Caribe Blu's business, most of which is divers. Will they want to stay next to this "attraction?"

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.