Environmental impact of artificial reefs for tourism in Cozumel, Mexico

Authors

  • Luis Carlos Santander Universidad de Quintana Roo
  • Marilú López Mejía Universidad de Quintana Roo
  • Luis Manuel Mejía Ortiz Universidad de Quintana Roo
  • Oswaldo Gallegos Jiménez Universidad del Caribe

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33064/iycuaa2012564026

Keywords:

environmental impact, artificial reef, tourism, Cozumel, sustainability

Abstract

Coral reefs distribution around the planet is uneven. Only some oceans can support such ecosystem that is the most complex and diverse on earth, but also one of the most fragile to global warming and environmental stress associated to tourism. Coral reefs in the Caribbean and in Cozumel, Mexico, are a clear example of environmental loss due to excessive tourism and extreme tropical
storms. Facing such a challenge, the government of Quintana Roo and the Mexican Federal Agency for Science and Technology promote the protection of Cozumel’s coral reefs, through artificial reefs that within a sustainable framework, increase diving alternatives, help business of local diving shops, promote conservation and reduce tourist visits to the natural reefs in the neighboring marine protected. 

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Author Biographies

Luis Carlos Santander, Universidad de Quintana Roo

Departamento de Estudios Sociales y Empresariales, Unidad Académica Cozumel.

Marilú López Mejía, Universidad de Quintana Roo

Departamento de Ciencias y Humanidades, Unidad Académica Cozumel

Luis Manuel Mejía Ortiz, Universidad de Quintana Roo

Departamento de Ciencias y Humanidades, Unidad Académica Cozumel

Oswaldo Gallegos Jiménez, Universidad del Caribe

Departamento de Turismo Sustentable, Hotelería y Gastronomía

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Published

2012-12-31

How to Cite

Santander, L. C., López Mejía, M., Mejía Ortiz, L. M., & Gallegos Jiménez, O. (2012). Environmental impact of artificial reefs for tourism in Cozumel, Mexico. Investigación Y Ciencia De La Universidad Autónoma De Aguascalientes, (56), 18–26. https://doi.org/10.33064/iycuaa2012564026

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Section

Artículos de Investigación

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