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Cozumel News May 19, 2014  is all about Cozumel’s fun-filled weekend : A Taste of Lionfish Cozumel Restaurants show their expertise and originality, Cozumel did us proud in the Mexican Boat Rodeo, see who you might know that won, the  Aero Show 2014, was delayed because of weather, but the show went on and the Cozumel Sun Special Offers May only: Find out how to get a Free Margarita, a Free order of Avocado Fries and a Free Pedicure!

A Taste of Lionfish

In addition to the excitement surrounding the fishing tournament downtown, hundreds of people enjoyed a taste of Lionfish, good music played by “Banda Cuzamil”, and a chance to meet the Mayor Sunday afternoon. To continue the promotion of Lionfish as an eatable fish, a gastronomic show was held at the Esplanade de la Bandera. The community along with National and Foreign Tourists were treated to a taste of sixty dishes prepared by ten local restaurants. Mayor Fredy Marrufo Martin, accompanied by de Juan González Castellán, Head of the Directorate of Tourism; Manuel Cota Becerra, Director of Economic Development, and Geny Canto Canto, Councilor and Chairman of the Committee on Culture, Education and Sports, exchanged views and congratulated the participants for the work they presented. As we reported in previous articles, Cozumel is a leader in combating the Lionfish invasion problem by promoting Lionfish fishing tournaments, and consumption of Lionfish with recipe creations and events such as the gastronomic show. Here are some Lionfish facts found on-line: The native range of the Lionfish covers a very large area from Western Australia and Malaysia east to French Polynesia and the United Kingdom’s Pitcairn Islands, north to southern Japan and southern Korea and south to Lord Howe Island off the east coast of Australia and the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand. In between, the species is found throughout Micronesia. The Invasion: Lionfish are a popular marine ornamental fish and were possibly intentionally released into the Atlantic. The first Lionfish was reported in South Florida waters in 1985 with many more sightings occurring until they were documented as established in the early 2000s. Ecological Role: Lionfish are slow-moving and conspicuous, so they must rely on their unusual coloration and fins to discourage would-be predators from eating them. Lionfish are now one of the top predators in many coral reef environments of the Atlantic. Lionfish consume over 50 species of fish including some economically and ecologically important species. Lionfish are active hunters who ambush their prey by using their outstretched, fan-like pectoral fins to slowly pursue and “corner” them. Special Precautions: The spines of this species deliver a venomous sting that can last for days and cause extreme pain, sweating, respiratory distress, and even paralysis. Lionfish venom glands are located within two grooves of the spine. The venom is a combination of protein, a neuromuscular toxin and a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine (pronunciation: ah-see-toe-coe’-lean). After the spine punctures the skin, the venom enters the wound when exposed to the venom glands within the grooves of the spine. If you are stung by a lionfish, seek medical attention immediately.

Mention “The Cozumel Sun” at  Playa Azul Beach Club

Mexican Boat Rodeo

Quintana Roo Governor Roberto Borge Angulo, and Mayor Fredy Marrufo Martín, accompanied by the mayor of Solidarity, Mauricio Góngora Escalante, and Mayor of Bacalar, José Alfredo Contreras Méndez, were at the San Miguel Pier on Saturday morning to witness the beginning of the Mexican Boat Rodeo, the best sporting events in the state. 155 vessels registered to participate in this 43^rd annual competition. Among the 1,200 participants are fishermen, captains and sailors of Quintana Roo, Yucatán, Campeche, Veracruz and foreigners from the United States and Canada. The fishing tournament is known to be a family event and is great for tourism resulting in an increased economic impact on the island. The cost of holding the event is 2.5 million pesos, coveted by the government and business entities. The prize to be shared among the winners is 1.5 million pesos, in the form of cars, trucks and motorcycles. The price per boat registration was eight thousand pesos. This event is truly a crowd pleaser. I could not believe the number of people crowded around the pier to watch the weighing of the contestant’s catch on Saturday afternoon. The passenger ferry’s upper level was lined with people getting a bird’s eye view of the process, as was the Malecon. There were boats anchored everywhere you looked also filled with on-lookers. On Sunday the fishing resumed from eight in the morning until four in the afternoon. The weighing closed at six in the evening and the award ceremony was scheduled for nine. I was unable to attend and the final report has not been released as of yet (five in the morning Monday.)Their official website has not posted the results, but Results as reported by Por Esto this morning are:                   First Place Winners of a Mercedes Benz!  29,645 Total Points

Second Place Winners of a Chevrolet Silverado Truck! – 5,280 Total Points

Third Place Winner of Nissan XE1!   – 5,135 Total Points

Fourth Place Winner an Aveo   – 5,020 Total Points

 Congratulations to all the Winners and participants of the Mexican Boat Rodeo 2014!

 THINGS TO DO IN PARADISE: FREE AVOCADO FRIES
Mention “The Cozumel Sun” at La Rumba Cozumel
In May and receive a free order of Avocado Fries with any purchase!
Tuesday- Sunday 2:00 p.m. to Midnight
Closed Mondays
#121 10th Avenida Entre Adolfo R. .Salas Y 1 Sur

Aero Show 2014

In Spite of the rain on Sunday, hundreds of Cozumel families and tourists went to the Captain Eduardo Parra Toledo Aerodrome.  Over two thousand spectators both locals and visitors gathered at an early hour in the aerodrome facilities  where the downpour drove over a hundred families to leave the event, while hundreds more were still arriving. Many found shelter in the hangar and under the wings of the huge aircraft with umbrellas and improvised raincoats. There was a three hour wait before sky finally cleared and the visitors were able to leave their shelters and venture out to enjoy the aircraft and planes that were on display. The main attraction is the air show was the parachute team “Falcons of the Air” from the Canadian Air Force. This special presentation is commemorating 70 years of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Canada There were eight aerial acrobats from the United States, Cuba and Venezuela. Visitors could get a close look and take pictures with airplanes and one helicopter.   Among the most visited attractions were the Secretary of the Navy and the helicopter itself, and the remote control model airplanes which despite the rain received applause from those present.  One of the most applauded was the paramotor or powered paraglider, which was operated by the pilot Joseph Fabul Herrera, a native of Venezuela. Shortly after twenty after three in the afternoon, each of the pilots began to make his exhibition. It was reported to be a good show in spite of the delay.   While I was unable to attend this year’s show, I was able to enjoy the view from the comforts of home through the weekend as the pilots graciously practiced their routines in the view of our neighborhoods.

Reservations: saviaspa@playa-azul.com

Welcome New SPECIAS Restaurant
Seafood Specialties
Chef Francesco
Daily 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Closed Wednesdays
3rd South between 5th & 10th