Concerns Mount as Bacalar Lagoon Faces Boat Overload

Local businesses in Bacalar have expressed concerns over the increasing number of boats operating in the Bacalar lagoon. A member of the Magic Towns Committee has stated that approximately 450 vessels currently operate in the lagoon. This has led businesses to appeal to the Port Authority, requesting a halt to the issuance of new boating permits due to the potential impact on the lagoon's already strained ecosystem.

Nicanor Piña Ugalde, a local business representative, has noted that this is not a new issue. Businesses in Bacalar have repeatedly requested a stop to the issuance of permits for tourist boats, arguing that the lagoon is already overcrowded. Despite these appeals, the Port Authority has yet to respond, a lack of action that has also been criticized by the Municipal Council.

The Municipal Council has echoed these concerns, agreeing that the high volume of boats could damage local wildlife, plant life, and the stromatolites. Despite these warnings, permits continue to be issued, disregarding the number of boats already operating in the lagoon.

Piña Ugalde has also highlighted the need for Bacalar to have its own Port Authority. The current authority, located in Chetumal, governs both the municipalities of Othón P. Blanco and Bacalar. Local businesses argue that this arrangement does not serve the interests of Bacalar, as the Port Authority's distance from the municipality means they may not fully grasp the extent of the reported overcrowding.

Piña Ugalde emphasized the importance of their appeals being acknowledged. He noted that even Bacalar's municipal president, José Alfredo Contreras Méndez, has been overlooked despite his high-ranking position and his consistent efforts to address the issue with the Chetumal Port Authority. Piña Ugalde has urged state authorities to intervene and take action on this matter.