Marine Park Fee (Coz)

[reefguy04]

Okay ... Cozumel has a 20 peso per day Marine Park Fee payable in cash to the dive op. No problem. Great idea (as long as money is well spent). Now let's assume one does a morning 2-tank dive with one op and decides to do a 1-tank afternoon or night dive with another op. Is there some type of receipt issued by the first op that can be shown to the second op in order to waive this fee or are you requiered to pay twice in the same day if you go out with a different op?
I'm honestly not as "tight" as this query may sound ... just curious.
Also, let me be among the first to wish all of you the most happiest of holidays :elf:

 

[DocVikingo]

You are to be given a Marine Park bracelet each day to be worn on the wrist. It is proof of payment for that day and is good no matter what op you dive with.

Have fun.

DocVikingo

 

[Christi]

I picked up some divers for a night dive a couple of weeks ago who were diving with another op during the day. I let them know that bracelet was still good and of course did not charge them again.

Make sure you get a new bracelet for each day of diving from whoever you are diving with...you're paying for it! The only exception to this is when diving the northern reefs...they are outside of the marine park and do not require the marine park fee.

 

[DocVikingo]

... the sites around to the east, like El Islote.

Yes, the diver to be given a Marine Park bracelet each day as proof of payment for that day.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[Len]

I'm trying not to be too cynical, but on any given day what percentage of divers do you think are actually wearing marine park bracelets ?

 

[Christi]

a little cynicism is warranted. There was a time when the marine park fee was nothing but scandal. Some argue that it is still scandal. However, I believe that great efforts are being made to put the fees to good use. I volunteer for the marine park and have seen first hand some of the projects and programs implemented over the past two years to help preserve the reefs.

The government stepped in and now marine park fees are actually paid through the bank into a federal account rather than being paid directly to the marine park. The Marine park is actually out everyday counting divers and monitoring activity. At the end of the month/year, the operations marine park bracelet purchases must match the number of divers reported each day, if not, they will be required to pay the difference.

There are some operators who still have not caught up to the new ways, and it will hurt them when permit renewal time comes from what I hear from reliable sources. So whether you are actually wearing your bracelet or not, the operator will end up paying the daily fee. It is much more difficult for operators to pocket the marine park money, despite what some think.

Make sure you get a new bracelet everyday when diving in the park. If they forget to give it to you, ask for it, you are paying for it. The only exceptions are the northern reefs and Islote on the other side of the island.

I hope this helps!

 

[Christi]

I was just having dinner with some local friends (some also dive operators) and was informed that a dive operation was fined HEAVILY this week for not having marine park tickets on the boat!

They are cracking down and/or setting examples!

 

[itziar]

I do not have info on the Cozumel situation, since I have not gone there for the last two years now... ... I know... what am I waiting for?

Anyway, my impression is that the park policies are being taken seriously not only there, as per the reports, but also in other locations in Mexico. The operators I use in the Veracruz area do charge for and distribute the Veracruz Marine Park bands. We have been checked on boat by park officers on a few ocassions. The dive professionals and fishermen I have talked to seem pleased with this policy and, really, it is not all that much money on top of the dive charges.

-- Itziar