The official word came from the Marine Park today.
All reefs will re-open this Sunday, December 15, 2019 FOR LICENSED PERMIT HOLDERS.
Cielo will remain closed until March 31, 2020 and at that time will be re-evaluated. This has to do with the environmental connection between the mangroves, lagoon zone and the reefs. They believe that allowing this area a longer cycle without disruption, the flow of environmental benefits will be promoted, such as better water quality and the recruitment of fry and larvae from this hatchery area to the surrounding reefs.
Beginning April 1, 2020, a rotation will be put in place for isolated reef closures.
Columbia, Palancar Caves and Palancar Bricks will close again during August and September as this is the time of year for coral reproduction.
Biological monitoring, studies and research will be ongoing.
Additionally, the marine park is issuing special flags for boats who have legal permits. These flags will be distributed tomorrow and will help tourists and authorities alike to identify permit holders. These flags will have the actual permit numbers on them. It's a step in the right direction. I'll try to post a picture of what these flags look like.
DISCLAIMER: This is a translation (by me a fluent Spanish speaker, not by Google) of the official statement announced by the marine park today. This is all anyone knows. I am providing this as information, not for debate and not to answer more questions. This is all myself or most anyone else knows - so I will not be fielding questions or attacks on the marine park or local authorities. Anything outside of this announcement should be considered hearsay and speculation. I trust that the biologists and scientists involved have a big picture plan and long term goals.
All reefs will re-open this Sunday, December 15, 2019 FOR LICENSED PERMIT HOLDERS.
Cielo will remain closed until March 31, 2020 and at that time will be re-evaluated. This has to do with the environmental connection between the mangroves, lagoon zone and the reefs. They believe that allowing this area a longer cycle without disruption, the flow of environmental benefits will be promoted, such as better water quality and the recruitment of fry and larvae from this hatchery area to the surrounding reefs.
Beginning April 1, 2020, a rotation will be put in place for isolated reef closures.
Columbia, Palancar Caves and Palancar Bricks will close again during August and September as this is the time of year for coral reproduction.
Biological monitoring, studies and research will be ongoing.
Additionally, the marine park is issuing special flags for boats who have legal permits. These flags will be distributed tomorrow and will help tourists and authorities alike to identify permit holders. These flags will have the actual permit numbers on them. It's a step in the right direction. I'll try to post a picture of what these flags look like.
DISCLAIMER: This is a translation (by me a fluent Spanish speaker, not by Google) of the official statement announced by the marine park today. This is all anyone knows. I am providing this as information, not for debate and not to answer more questions. This is all myself or most anyone else knows - so I will not be fielding questions or attacks on the marine park or local authorities. Anything outside of this announcement should be considered hearsay and speculation. I trust that the biologists and scientists involved have a big picture plan and long term goals.