Isla Mujeres, Mexico — A collaborative cleanup effort at Isla Contoy National Park resulted in the removal of 357.48 kilograms of waste, highlighting ongoing challenges posed by ocean pollution. The initiative, conducted by 40 volunteers from Dreams Sands Hotel, Cancún Adventures, the Isla Mujeres municipal government, and Mexico’s National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), targeted debris threatening the uninhabited island’s fragile ecosystem.
Breakdown of Collected Waste
The cleanup yielded 217.99 kilograms of non-recyclable trash, 26.55 kilograms of discarded fishing nets—a known hazard to marine life—and 102.7 kilograms of metal. Recyclables, including PET plastic, aluminum cans, glass, and bottle caps, accounted for 10.24 kilograms.
Didier Cox, Sustainability Coordinator at Dreams Sands Hotel, emphasized that most debris arrives via ocean currents. “Despite Isla Contoy being uninhabited, the volume of waste is alarming,” he said. “This underscores the urgent need to reduce single-use plastics and adopt responsible waste practices, particularly in coastal areas.”
Fishing Nets Pose Critical Threat
Abandoned fishing gear emerged as a major concern, endangering marine species through entanglement. Organizers urged local fishers to prioritize sustainable practices.
Michelle Ackermann, Quality Manager at Cancún Adventures, stressed private-sector involvement in environmental protection. “Businesses must actively participate,” she noted. “Safeguarding marine ecosystems is a collective responsibility, and these efforts drive tangible awareness and action.”
The event aimed to educate the public on plastic pollution’s impact and promote stewardship of protected natural areas.
Key Participants:
- Dreams Sands Hotel
- Cancún Adventures
- Isla Mujeres Municipal Government
- CONANP
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