If you build it, they will come.
Commerce in tourism has grown exponentially in recent years. The tourism industry itself is expanding from land to sea. Airplanes and cruise ships arrive on tiny islands, bringing money, goods and exposure to other cultures. It is an interesting dichotomy prevailing here in Cozumel, Mexico, as we set the stage on the second largest barrier reef in the world.
Player One: The Ecologists
A select set of individuals who value the reef and all it offers have a respect and an understanding that the reef is precious and needs protection. This group may include locals, scientists, engineers, divers, and others who are willing to fight to protect the natural resources available to them. Coral restoration specialists work hard to restore the reef to its natural beauty and splendor while investors, artists, divers and others work hard against anything that could damage the reef. This fraction of the population values long-term sustainability and reef health over commerce. In this case, a representative: zoecoral.com.
Player Two: The Commerce
Hardships on tourist destinations have come with hurricanes, coral disease, other weather, social scares and as of late, a pandemic. Tourism has offered multitudes of local islanders the means to feed their families, pay their bills, have things that they need or want, and provide opportunities that wouldn’t exist otherwise. Hotels, restaurants, fishermen, scuba and snorkel industry leaders, captains, musicians, activity directors, taxi drivers and more make up player two, the commerce. Whether labeled as “job seeking individuals” or “greedy money makers”, there is a fraction of the population that desires commerce over ecology.
The Audience: The Coral Reef
Fish scurry along the stunning corals and sponges as larger pelagic species seem to fly by in the warm currents. A marine protected area on the southwestern side of the island is home to hundreds of species great and small. The shallow areas provide protection and opportunity for juvenile species to grow and thrive in slighter currents with less threats. These plants and animals go on about their day as if the battle above the surface does not affect them.
The Argument
One might think “tourism is important, without it, there is no money to sustain the tourist attraction”. Another may think “ecology is far more important, as without the tourist attraction, there is no tourism”. The truth is that both arguments have proven correct. But, if everyone is right, how can this be a problem?
The perspective balance of commerce vs. ecology can be skewed based on personal circumstance. For the hungry local looking for work, the tourist attraction is a cash cow waiting to be tapped. “So what if the reef dies in the next lifetime, my family is hungry now”. For the ecologist, there is a long-term understanding that at the rate of damage to the tourist attraction, “there will be nothing left because of the damage happening now and your families will starve later and wealth is not distributed as you might think”.
In this particular case, Cozumel already has 3 cruise ship piers. A multitude of ships carrying anywhere from ~1000 – 5000 people can arrive on the island per day, bringing money and opportunity. But many of the ships use bunker fuel – the “cheapest, dirtiest” of the fuels and there has been instance of the ships discharging waste into the ocean and killing large amounts of the reef. Ships sit at the pier bellowing black smoke into the air while an intense rumble beneath the surface drones on and on. What is the balance with two strong opposing arguments? Could it be cleaner bunker fuels and tightening the belt on regulation? Or less ships and more investing in coral restoration?
Two Solutions, No Balance
The current solution on the ecologist’s side of the table is to build a coral reef and rebuild the damage done by the already-existing tourism. The commerce side says “put another pier, and bring more people and more commerce”. The dilemma continues, while facts and information remain at bay. While discussions continue, the fish, corals, sponges, invertebrates and more continue on. The ecosystem beneath the surface is finding it’s balance, but the turbulence continues above.
Well, Now What?
Read more about it on change.org and take an action if you like. Your action and voice can help determine the future of Cozumel and the second largest barrier reef in the world.
If you build it, they will come.
The question remains: what are you building, who will come, and what is the consequence of your creation?
“Look in the mirror, consider your talents, and think about how you might use them to make a difference.
Everyone has power to make a difference as an individual – or by joining the company of others who share a common goal.
They key is in knowing that what you do matters, including doing nothing!”
– Sylvia Earle
