Cozumel News April 8, 2014

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Cozumel News April 8^th, 2014:

A Lion fish Commercial–
La Selva Park Closed Indefinitely–
The Rotary Club Donates to CAM–
The Adopt a Beach Program Moves Forward–
Mangrove Reforestation–
Cozumel, No Nightlife–
Extra Ferries for Easter–
2014 El Cedral Program Announced–

A Lion Fish Commercial

This past weekend, the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) made the official presentation of a 30 second long promotional video on the consumption of lion fish that has a high nutritional value, but at sea poses a danger to other species.

Cozumel is a pioneer in programs that seek to eliminate lion fish from the time their presence was detected in 2009 in the reef systems of the island. Reports indicate that at the present time, a ton and a half to two tons of Lion fish is being caught each month part of which is exported to United States and part to the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Lion fish promo with the slogan “Janalbil Kay “(edible fish in Maya),” Péscalo, sazónalo y Come “(fish it, season it, eat it) seeks to highlight the virtues of consuming this species through television and local radio stations.”Menu of the Day” has some 17 recipes including, lion fish pickled sushi, fajitas and lion fish in green sauce. Lion fish meat can be used in stews and even in a pizza.

The presentation was made of the advertising spot at the facilities of the Cooperative Fish Production Cozumel, SC of RL, an event attended by representatives of the Department of Tourism and Economic Development of the Municipality, Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an and Conanp.

La Selva Park closed indefinitely

La Selva, the first park in Cozumel built specifically for people with disabilities has been closed since February. La Selva Park is located at 65 Avenue between 23 and 25 in the Flamingos colony; it was built in 2009 as part of the program of the System for Integral Family Development (DIF) Cozumel. The comprehensive park was utilized and made available for all children; they did not need to have a disability to enjoy.

It was reported that repair, painting and cleaning needs to take place before the park can reopen, but that money was not budgeted for the project. The last time maintenance was done at the park was in 2012. For the safety of the children, the park will remain closed until the necessary work can be done.

The Rotary Club Donates to CAM

The Rotary Clubs of Cozumel and Greenville Texas will make an investment of $30,000 for a computing workshop project for the Multiple Care Center (CAM). The initiative aims to help students learn to use operating systems and enable them to provide their services to the public or private sector.

This past Thursday morning 26 Club members from Greenville, Texas District 5840 arrived on board a cruise ship to participate in the presentation of the computer lab project that will serve 18 students at CAM. Club members from the United States also visited CAM to check if the cooking equipment that the group donated to the institution is in use. In April of 2013 the group invested $6,000 U.S. Dollars and acquired equipment for gastronomy workshops.

The plan is that the group will provide equipment and the Ministry of Education and Culture of Quintana Roo will provide the teachers for the classes

Queb Alejandro Franco, vice president of the Rotary Club of Cozumel, said he intends to acquire 10 computers so that students can learn to handle word processing programs that will help them join the workforce.

On Thursday, five students did a cooking demonstration on preparing cupcakes and offered them to the benefactors for tasting. A Vegetable project was also implemented for students to learn how to grow and harvest food.

The members of the Club of Greenville, Texas were recognized for their contributions to CAM.

The Adopt a Beach Program Moves forward

As part of a cleansing program that emerged from the Committee for Clean Coastal Towns, 20 organizations and companies are interested in “adopting” a beach.

The project is a pioneer in Quintana Roo, according to Christopher Gonzalez Baca, representative of the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas, and involves the creation of cleaning crews that collect, separate and sell recyclables to finance themselves, (the rest will be sent to the landfill for disposal).

One of the members of the Federal Maritime and Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) revealed that payment of fees for use and development and financing is being contemplated.

The aim:

It is intended that the project, supported by civil society organizations and the private and public sectors of the island, should organize brigades and cover the costs of transportation, purchase of supplies and food.

The initial intent is 18 beaches located 20 kilometers from the eastern part of the island, but it is also intended to apply to the rest of Cozumeleño coast, including rocky areas on the eastern side, where there is also accumulation of trash.

The Course:

Participants will receive training to learn to separate the waste collected during activities, so they can determine what is recyclable and what should be sent to landfill for disposal.

Mangrove Reforestation

The Foundation of Parks and Museums of Cozumel (FPMC) seeks a million and a half dollars for a mangrove reforestation program in the eco park resort Punta Sur, reported the CEO of that institution, Alberto Martín Azutea. He stated that he is just waiting for the National Forestry Commission (Conafor) to issue the invitation to present the project and seek funding.

The mangrove in Punta Sur was damaged during the hurricanes Emily and Wilma in 2005. Martin Azueta recognized that growth and recovery of the species can last up to 15 years, so it is a long term plan that should start soon.

Héctor González Cortés, Director of the Department of Conservation and Environmental Education (CEA) of FPMC reported 45% of the land in Punta Sur is wetlands which inhabit mangrove. After passing, these hurricanes affected 180 hectares of mangroves. According to the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas in Cozumel, mangroves occupy about 12% of the 50 thousand hectares measuring Cozumel. There are four species which are protected under federal environmental laws.

Cozumel, no nightlife

Cozumel is not a destination for the tourism segment referred to as “spring breakers” for lack of nightlife. Staff of the Department of Tourism recognizes that the island is focused on cruise tourism and a more “mature” market of tourists. Tourism officials acknowledge that the youth market is not “strong” on the island.

The chairman of the Committee on Tourism, Cesar Trejo Vazquez, states that during spring break Cozumel tends to get the teachers and parents of students who do have spring break.

It is estimated that this year 50 thousand “spring breakers” arrived in Cancun, 20% more than last year. On an average, each student has a four-to eight day stay and the average spending is a thousand dollars.

The councilman said that Cancun and the Riviera Maya are preferred by youth tourism and Cozumel has no attractions to offer this segment of tourists.

Extra Ferries for Easter

Check the schedules if heading to mainland. The passenger Ferry announced two extra trips to Playa del Carmen and back for the Easter Holidays. Likewise, the car Ferry announced an increase in trips and a car discount to make it easier for families to visit during the holiday.

2014 El Cedral Program Announced

Yesterday the 2014 program of the El Cedral festival to be held from April 26^th to May 4^th was presented. The traditional celebration is recognized in Cozumel as a local holiday.

The budget for this year that includes concerts, cultural events, bullfights, horse racing, sporting events and dances is 7.5 million pesos that will also be used for maintenance and rehabilitation of the town, said Noh Nidia Garcia, city marshal.

The festival has religious origins from the Day of the “Santa Cruz de Sabán.” (Holy Cross) and dates from 1848. This year is the 166th edition of the celebrations of the town of El Cedral, located at kilometer 14 of the south perimeter road.