Cancún's Laguna Nichupté to clear 50
Authorities in Cancún have begun removing 45 to 50 abandoned vessels from the Laguna Nichupté lagoon system, ending a nearly three-year effort to clean up
A major cleanup operation is now underway in Cancún's primary lagoon system. The Benito Juárez municipal government, federal authorities, and the nautical sector have launched a plan to remove between 45 and 50 abandoned boats from Laguna Nichupté after nearly three years of negotiations.
Pablo Gutiérrez, the municipal secretary general, and Fernando Haro, the director of ecology, outlined the plan. The first stage involves towing away vessels that are located along the shoreline and can be moved in this manner. These units will be taken to a secure storage area on land, away from the lagoon.
The Cleanup Plan
Subsequent stages will address boats located further out in the lagoon. Officials stated that specialized platforms will likely be used for these more difficult recoveries. The goal is a gradual restoration of order to Cancún's main lagoon network.
Francisco Fernández, president of the Nautical Associates of Quintana Roo, explained the project's aims. He said it seeks to put an end to the so-called "boat cemetery." It also aims to reduce potential environmental risks from fuel, chemicals, and other residues that may remain in the abandoned hulls.
Ownership and Costs
If owners come forward, they must legally prove ownership. They will also have to cover all fines and costs resulting from the abandonment and recovery operations. Furthermore, they must continue with the corresponding legal process before the Port Captaincy of the Navy Secretariat.
If no one claims the vessels, they could be destroyed and sent for final disposal after a three- to five-month process. The operation is described as primarily voluntary on the part of the nautical sector. According to the source, it could cost between 2 and 5 million pesos.
The following entities are participating in the actions:
Context for Visitors
As reported by REPORTUR.mx, efforts to boost the lagoon's recreational use are also in progress. A new floating dock measuring just over 11 meters long was recently announced for the Pok Ta Pok area in Cancún's hotel zone. This dock is intended to promote water-based recreational activities like boat rides and tours of the Nichupté lagoon system. The cleanup aims to support such tourism by addressing an eyesore and an environmental hazard.
