The Mexican government has granted permits for the construction of a new cruise ship pier to be built right on top of the reef! Any corals that survive the building of the pier will surely be destroyed by daily silt storms from ship propellers, bilge and other ship waste.
Send letters of protest requesting that development be relocated to a more appropriate location with limited impact on the reef. Write to: Mr. Mario A. Villanueva Governor of Quintana Roo Palacio de Gobierno Chetumal Quintana Roo, MEXICO Fax: 011-52-983-25882
Mr. Ernesto Zendillo Presidente Constitutional de Mexico Office of the President Los Pinos, Puerta No. 1 11109 Mexico City, Mexico D.F. Fax: 011-52-527-11764
Cozumel Pier Dispute. On Aug. 1, 1996, ministers of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (under the authority of the North American Free Trade Agreement) agreed to undertake a fact-finding mission to consider a controversial pier for cruise ships near coral reefs off Cozumel, Mexico. This is the first such investigation by this Commission. [Reuters]
Shrimp farming was once thought to be an effective way to develop the economies of tropical countries. Now we know that shrimp aquaculture does more harm than good. Coastal peoples' traditional food sources, including wild shrimp and fish, are decimated as valuable mangrove forests are cut down, fresh water supplies are siphoned off, and chemicals are introduced to the ecoysystem. Almost all of the farmed shrimp are exported, leaving little protein source but plenty of environmental degredation for the indigenous people. Despite these facts, the World Bank continues to fund such projects around the world.
Aside from not buying jumbo or tiger shrimp, you can contact the President of the World Bank at 1818 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20433, and request an end to these investments in the destruction of the marine environment.