|  |
 |
|
|
I wasn't there, but Roly (of Dive Cozumel) posted this on Scubaboard and it is in line with what my crew told me who attended the meeting on my behalf and is participating in the reef clean-up efforts as we did after Emily.
Yesterday evening, Thursday, Nov. 3, the National Marine Park in Cozumel (Parque Marino Nacional) held a well-attended meeting for all operators and active members of the dive business community to address the impact of the hurricane season on the reef and to develop conservation strategies going forward. As dive travelers and concerned members of the diving community, we thought it fair to present a brief overview in response to your inquiries.
Marine Park officials found that the reefs indeed sustained damage as a result of two hurricanes, Emily and Wilma, this season as well as human impact. As previously mentioned, we see some broken sponges, gorgonians and other large structures, sand on the reef, and in addition, lower algal counts and reduced coverage. Some reefs are in worse condition than others, while other reefs look great. The C-53 wreck now has a fissure which transversely separates the wreck in two. Penetration of the wreck is not recommended at this time due to the instability of the structure.
Marine Park officials with the community discussed strategies to safeguard the reef against further impact, including human impact. Suggestions included limiting diving during the upcoming high season on reefs most impacted this year, reinstating the “one meter rule” (all divers must maintain a distance of at least one meter from the reef), limiting diving on certain reefs to qualification levels, greater emphasis on techniques such as proper weighting, buoyancy control, finning finesse and general awareness of the importance of reef conservation. Although no new regulations were implemented yet, all were in agreement that closer supervision of Marine Park visitors (snorkelers and divers) would further help limit the negative impact on the reef.
Many operators and divers volunteered to assist in the clean up efforts, which was deemed the first important step towards reef recovery, and we at Dive Cozumel volunteered the Yellow Rose, tanks, time and crew. Manual clean up efforts alone will eliminate bulky natural (and artificial) debris which can cause further damage as it is dragged over the reef by the current. This will make a big difference in the recovery process and the quality of diving in the immediate future.
Keep in mind that human impact over time can be as significant as a single natural event. Now and always, reefs should be treated as delicate, dynamic and intricate creations. Although reef systems are sensitive, they have the ability to blossom and regenerate even in the most adverse conditions (e.g. Hurricane Gilbert, 1998). We believe that as always, Mother Nature will prevail.
And in case someone directs you to the articles that says "100 years to recover" read this which I posted on another bord regarding this topic:
Of course there was damage to the reefs...how could there not be and it would be absurd for me to pretend there wasn't. It can be argued that for the reef to be exactly how it was before Emily and Wilma, it will take 100 years...but that should NOT be mistaken/misunderstood to mean that the reefs were completely devastated and are no longer desirable to dive.
As I said after Emily (which really was minimal damage) this will not necessarily change the vacation divers experience as far as the diving goes, particularly if you've never been diving in Cozumel before. Even for those seasoned Cozumel divers, there is still PLENTY of reef and more abundant life from reports I have heard from my crew and friends and colleagues who've been diving this past week...and of course as we experienced after Emily. There is still great diving in Cozumel and visibility is already back up in the 50 to 60 foot range...improving everyday. There are saections that took harder hits, but again, it's not the entire reef system.
If it's not your "back yard," you don't notice what's NOT there, you notice what IS there. The fact remains that there is still ALOT of reef there...it was not totally wiped out. It would take alot more than a WILMA to bring those majestic formations crashing down. Some swim throughs are closed up, while others are bigger and others that are now passable (by disciplined/controlled divers). There are sponges gone, sections that are now covered in sand, others that were uncovered by sand...and it will just be a "remodeled" back yard for awhile.
As things start growing back, they will grow back stronger and healthier than before and we'll all be saying in a year and 5 and 10 years...WOW...that sponge didn't used to be there...and look how it's grown!
Remember Grand Cayman was hit very hard by Ivan last year, structurally, they had much more damage than Cozumel. The reef there is already recovering according to many sources, including my friend Casey (Neptune’s Divers...(Hi Casey!) who has been a wonderful friend through this ordeal.
I think every once in awhile, mother nature comes through and cleans things up...and then her reward is to replenish with more abundance and beauty than there was before.
Anyway, those are my fifty pesos
Viva Cozumel!
Happy Diving!
Christi in Cozumel