Centro Ecológico Akumal - Local news

Workshop: Green Homes & Renewable Energy in the Riviera Maya, November 6-8, 2008

2008-08-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

CANCELLED!

Regrettably, the workshop has been cancelled.

The number of registrations has not come close to the number needed to cover the workshop's expenses, and I can't imagine getting enough registrations in the next two weeks or so. Only Miguel and one other person registered, even though thousands looked at various Web sites and postings about it.

Centro Ecológico Akumal plans to hold a workshop on sustainable construction in November. I'll post details when they're set.

I might plan another workshop on green homes when the global economy ever recovers.

In the U.S., you could check the workshop schedule for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (www.the-mrea.org) if you want to take some courses.

Ed Blume
********

Green Homes & Renewable Energy in the Riviera Maya, a three day workshop, will be November 6-8, 2008, in Akumal, Mexico, 70 miles south of Cancun.

Co-sponsored by Yucatan Environmental Foundation, a U.S. 501(c)(3), and RENEW Wisconsin, a non-profit promoting renewable energy.

November 6 - Green building and remodeling techniques and tools, including water and waste management
Presenter: Sherrie Gruder, Sustainable Design Specialist, LEED Accredited Professional

November 7 - Using the sun to make electricity and hot water
Presenter: John Hippensteel, Lake Michigan Wind and Sun*
Participants in this workshop will learn the basics of photovoltaic systems. They will learn to define PV, understand how PV works, identify the four PV system types, describe and identify components, understand the best application and limitations of each system type, define the solar window, understand energy efficiency and load estimates, identify PV mounting types and understand the basics of site assessment tools.

November 8 - Using wind to generate electricity
Presenter: John Hippensteel, Lake Michigan Wind and Sun*
This workshop is for people who have an interest in residential size wind systems for their home or business. This course will inform participants as to what wind energy is, how it works and what it can do for you. Topics will include: wind resources, basic system components, system types, turbine types, applications, and tower types.

November 8 - Installation tours
The workshops will end with a tour of wind and solar installations in homes and businesses in the Akumal area -- solar hot water on CEA dorms; solar electricity on the home of Bart Smith; solar hot water and electricity and wind turbines at Centro Ecologico Sian Ka'an in Tulum.

For more information, contact Ed Blume.

* With the explosive demand for wind and solar installations, John cannnot be 100% certain that he can get free in November. If he can't, the instructor will be someone of equal intelligence and expertise.

Organized by Eco-Yucatan, Inc. and Ed Blume, Director of Communications and Outreach for RENEW Wisconsin, a non-profit promoting renewable energy.

Registration

2008-08-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

Green Homes & Renewable Energy in the Riviera Maya
Akumal, México, Nov. 6-8, 2008
Your name:

Business or organization name (if appropriate):

Mailing address:

E-Mail:

Phone (day time):
Phone (evening):

Register for one, two , or three days:

$325 (USD) all three days.
$250 (USD) for any two days. Specify the days:
$125 (USD) for any one day. Specify the days:

Registration includes breakfast and lunch.

Make check payable to: Yucatan Environmental Foundation

Print and complete registration form; mail to:

Yucatan Environmental Foundation
c/o Eco-Yucatán, Inc.
PO Box 2702
Madison, WI 53701-2702

Help us tailor the workshops to your interests:

What type of green or renewable energy installations interest you?

Where would the installation be—condo, single family home, business (please specify type of business)?

What do you want to get out of the workshop?

Alexandro Beltran, Akumal snorkel guide

2008-07-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

2008 Akumal summer camp for young people and parents

2008-02-11T14:30:00.000-08:00

From an article on the Sac Be Web site:

Just Imagine Vacations along with Hotel Akumal Caribe has created the perfect Eco-tourist, Multi-cultural Adventurous Summer Camp for Tweens and Parents.

This summer camp is designed to entertain, educate and inspire young people as well as build character and expand cultural experiences; at the same time create an enjoyable vacation for young people and their parents by providing activities they can do together and apart. Parents can indulge in some pampering in paradise while we keep your tweens busy, or you may decide to do some educational activities with the young people.

The experience is based on educational, fun experiences that include: environmental studies, history, Spanish language, Maya Culture, and more – all with a hands on approach.

Online auction to support Centro Ecologico Akumal

2008-02-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

CEA's Online Auction Opens Feb. 11!Preview a few of the items!
Save the Sea Festival
Feb. 20-21, 2008
Akumal, MexicoA celebration of ocean conservation and support for
Centro Ecológico Akumal

Recycling day, June 5

2007-06-03T08:32:00.000-07:00

We invite you to participate in a municipal-wide recycling event, Tuesday, June 5, as part of World Environment Day. Please bring your PET (plastics), aluminum, glass, electronics, paper and cardboard to CEA. The paper and cardboard will be donated for production of free school books. Drop-off points are: CEA, Casa de Cultura of Tulúm and the Municipal Office in Playa del Carmen.

Playa del Carmen – Plaza 28 de Julio from 8 AM to 4 PM
Akumal – Centro Ecológico Akumal from 9 AM to 1 PM
Tulúm – Casa de la Cultura de Tulúm from 9 AM to 1 PM

Divers claim largest underwater cave

2007-05-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

This story by Mark Stevenson from RawStory.com (March 6, 2007) brings to mind Greg Brown, a well-known cave diver who passed away a couple of years ago, a few months after leaving Akumal. He probed the cracks and crevises running beneath Akumal to make the same point, e.g., pollution in one place gets to another place and then to the ocean. Damn, I miss him, even as quirky as he was.

A pair of cave divers said Monday they have found subterranean passages in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula that constitute the world's longest underwater cave system.

British cave diver Steve Bogaerts said he and Robbie Schmittner, of Germany, found flooded underground passages connecting two previously known cave systems - a discovery that shows how interconnected and vulnerable the Yucatan's fabled underground water system is. . . .

For thousands of years, Mayan Indians depended on water found in the caves and in lakes formed by sinkholes - areas where the caves' ceilings collapsed, opening them to the surface. The lakes dot the Yucatan peninsula, now one of the world's fastest-growing sites for tourism and resort developments. . . .

Bogaerts said his dives proved a connection between the Nohoch Nah Chich caves and the Sac Actun system, which together measure 95 miles in length. That connection shows that many of the seemingly isolated watering holes are part of a single larger system, he said. . . .

"That's the important thing for people to understand. ... The point is that they're so interconnected," Bogaerts said. "There are so many cave systems that if there's a point of pollution in any one particular area it can spread very extensively throughout the entire system."

Akumal Bay management plan

2007-05-12T07:23:00.000-07:00

From The CEA Newsletter:

Akumal Bay Management Program
by Paul Sánchez-Navarro and Miguel A. Maldonado

The beach and marine ecosystems, which include coral reefs, as well as the on-going presence of sea turtles in Akumal Bay, are the main characteristics and identity of Akumal and constitute important resources for the biology, ecology, geology and economy of the area.

Since 2003, because of increased tourist activities along the Riviera Maya, Akumal Bay activity has increased. The number of boats, locals and tourists that visit the bay have had unchecked growth, affecting the beautiful appearance of the bay and the tranquility and security of the marine ecosystem balance.

CEA is working to obtain legal support that promotes conservation of Akumal Bay and its correct management, so it may continue to be an attractive place for tourists and a protected area.

The Akumal Bay Management Program includes ideas, agreements and operation rules that have been accepted among the principal actors in Akumal.

Bay management plan presented; Fidecaribe signs over building

2007-04-30T19:25:00.000-07:00

From The Akumalian:

On Wednesday, April 18th, 2007, a major event took place at the Lol Ha restaurant. Sergio Gonzalez Rubiera was the MC.

CEA presented the Akumal Bay Management Plan, and the Akumal Dive Shops, Akumal Caribe, Las Casitas, CEA, and The Akumal Council agreed where they/we all recognize the importance of the Akumal Bay Management Plan, and they all commit to respect and have everybody responsible to respect the buoys on the bay.

The Municipality actually, and finally, signed the Fidecaribe building over to the Akumal Council. The Akumal Council will invest something like the previously approved $10,000 USD in renovating the building and the related property. The Akumal police headquarters will be located downstairs, and there will be offices upstairs.

The dignitaries representing Akumal and the Municipality at the head table included:

* Paul Sanchez-Navarro Russell, Director, Centro Ecologico Akumal

* Loudes Heredia/ representing Laura Bush

* Lic. Filiberto Martinez / Secretario General del H. Ayuntamiento and Official Representative of the Mayor for this specific event.

* Gonzalo Arcila, President, Akumal Council

* Haydee Pastrana/ Directora de Desarrollo Economico del H. Ayuntamiento de Solidaridad.

* Javier Aranda Pedrero/Director del Fideicomiso para la Promoción Turística de la Riviera Maya /Riviera Maya Tourism Board.

* Mary Carmen Domani/ Oficial Mayor del H. Ayuntamiento de Solidaridad

Buoys for the bay

2007-04-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

CEA staff prepare buoys for placement in Akumal Bay to improve boat traffic and safety for bay users.

With deep sorrow

2007-04-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Akumalians,

With sadness, Centro Ecológico Akumal informs you that our mailman, Mr. Luis Hernandez, died of a stroke last week.

Mexican Postal Service has informed us that they are working out who will take his place and in the meantime, will send someone to Akumal only one day a week. We will let you know what they decide as soon as we hear from them.

Thank you,
Paul Sánchez-Navarro
--------------------

Estimados Akumaleños,

Con nuestro más sentido pésame, el Centro Ecológico Akumal les informa que hace una semana, falleció el cartero, el Sr. Luis Hernández, de una embolia.

El Servicio Correo Mexicano nos informa que está viendo con su personal quién va a tomar su lugar y cuáles cambios se van a hacer aquí en Akumal. Mientras, van a enviar a una persona una vez a la semana para entregar el servicio de correo. En cuanto nos informen, les avisaremos a todos.

Gracias
Paul

Thanks for the palms

2007-04-03T17:24:00.001-07:00

CEA is pleased to thank Fundación Ecológica Bahía Príncipe Tulúm A.C. for the donation of five Caribbean palm trees and 15 chit palms, which were placed on the coast dune near the jungle in our parking area.

Eco-certification for Akumal hotels, condos, businesses

2007-03-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

From the Sac-Be online newsletter:

. . .Luna Azul Condominiums [became]the first Akumal business to eagerly volunteer to meet Centro Ecológico Akumal’s requirements for good standings in their ecological ratings. After a thorough review, CEA will present Luna Azul with the ‘to-do’ list for the first year, and it will be up to Luna Azul to work diligently to transform their property to comply with the eco-friendly standards. And, considering their earnest desire to be the model, I think there exists a genuine desire among the owners of Luna Azul Condos to help preserve the natural beauty of Akumal. . . .

Lobster assessment in Akumal Bay

2007-02-26T16:05:00.000-08:00

CEA volunteer Diana Garcia Urrutia constructs a "lobster recruitment device," where young lobsters will seek shelter as the device floats on the surface with the blue filters beneath the water. The data on numbers of young will help assess the lobster population along the coast of the Mexican Carribean.

Paper recycling, March 2, at Playa, Akumal, & Tulum

2007-02-25T07:17:00.000-08:00

Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA) hosts a Municipal-wide recycling effort this coming March 2nd. Please bring your paper and cardboard to the CEA Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CEA is part of the "Recycle to Read" Program of the National Commission for Free Textbooks. The paper will be sold to by books for schools throughout Mexico. Please bring any kind of paper and cardboard (NO WET PRODUCTS)

For more information, contact CEA at 875-9095 or info@ceakumal.org

-------------

Queremos invitarles a ser participes en nuestro trabajo de manejo de residuos. El próximo viernes 2 de Marzo se llevará a cabo en nuestro Municipio el MARATON DE PAPEL Y CARTÓN en el marco del programa “Recicla para Leer” que es iniciativa de la Comisión Nacional de Libros de Texto Gratuitos.
En este día se pretende acopiar la mayor cantidad de residuos de papel y cartón para ser reciclados y producir libros de texto gratuitos para nuestros niños mexicanos. Una vez más tendremos tres puntos de acopio:
- Playa del Carmen: Plaza 28 de Julio de 8:00 am a 4:00 pm
- Akumal: Centro Ecológico Akumal de 9:00 am a 1:00 pm
- Tulum: Casa de la Cultura de Tulum de 9:00 am a 1:00 pm
Por tal motivo, les extendemos una cordial invitación a participar en esta campaña llevando papel y cartón que ya no utilicen el día del acopio. Mucho agradeceremos que comparta esta invitación con sus agremiados y/o colaboradores.
Pueden llevar: papel de fotocopiado, papel con impresión laser, papel con inyección de tinta, papel térmico (fax), papel manila, cuadernos, sobres de papel, libros, periódicos, revistas, cartón, cartoncillo, cartulina, folletos, propagandas, directorios telefónicos, papel triturado, folders.

Hazards of turtle life

2007-02-24T09:09:00.000-08:00

Tato, the turtle, explains the dangers of living in the sea to Antony during the puppet show at the Save the Sea festival on the beach of Akumal.

Silent auction attracted many bidders

2007-02-24T09:04:00.000-08:00

The silent auction during the Save the Sea festival attracted visitors and local bidders who helped raise funds for the conservation efforts of Centro Ecológico Akumal.

Puppet show during Save the Sea festival

2007-02-24T08:51:00.000-08:00

Jeff Blume, a volunteer from Madison, Wisconsin, played a crab and a turtle in a children's puppet show during the successful Save the Sea festival.

Reef ball study

2007-02-16T12:22:00.000-08:00

The National Coral Reef Institute of the Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center in Florida will begin data collection and monitoring of the reefballs in both Akumal and Puerto Morelos from February 27 through March 3.

News of the reef balls was posted previously:

"Reef Balls" en el mar en frente de Media Luna
Hace un tiempo, habiamos comunicado que se iban a poner unos "Reef Balls" en el mar en frente de Media Luna, como parte de un estudio en el caribe mexicano. Llegaron ayer y van a empezar meterlo el dia de hoy. Van a estar en el mar, en el arenal al fondo del mar, justo en frente de Media Luna.

El grupo es de la universidad de NOVA Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center en Florida y Cuentan con todas las autorizaciones de Semarnat. La semana pasada meterion 40 en frente de Puerto Morelos. Parece que van a poner 11 aca. Es un estudio de reclutamiento de coral, para medir los tiempos de reclutamiento y de crecimiento, ademas de revisar cuales otras especies utilizan las estructuras. Estan hechos de un concreto no-toxico y pesan alrededor de 700 kilos.

Vamos a reportar el proceso en nuestro boletin mensual. Agradecemos el apoyo del Akumal Dive Shop.

-----

Some time ago, we communicated that Reef Balls were going to be placed in the sea in front of Half Moon bay, as part of a study in the Mexican Caribbean. The group installing them arrived yesterday and today will begin to place them on the sea floor. They will be on the sand in front of Half Moon Bay.

The research group is from NOVA Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center in Florida and they do have all the necessary Semarnat permits. Last week they put 40 in front of Puerto Morelos. It looks like they will put 11 here. This is to study coral recruitment, measuring recruitment and growth over time, as well as seeing what other species use the structures. They are made of non-toxic concrete and weigh about 700 kilos.

We will be reporting the process in our monthly newsletter. Thanks to Akumal Dive Shop for its help.

Saludos,
Paul Sanchez-Navarro
Centro Ecológico Akumal
Executive Director

Electronics recycling in Akumal, Feb. 10

2007-02-08T13:24:00.000-08:00

The Government of Solidaridad, Direccion de Medio Ambiente, REMEXMAR and Xcaret invite you to join us in:

The Electronic Waste Collection Campaign

Bring your electronic waste Saturday 10 of February 2007 to:
- Playa del Carmen: Plaza 28 de Julio – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Akumal: Centro Ecológico Akumal - 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Tulúm: Casa de Cultura – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Bring: Computers, and computer accessories, cables, toners, ink cartridges, video and audio equipments, cell phones, controls, microwaves, air conditioners, TVs, etc.

For more information contact: Centro Ecológico Akumal 875-9095 or Dirección de Medio Ambiente (984) 8773050 ext. 2104, Solidaridad.

And don't forget the Save the Sea festival, Feb. 21-22.

Save the Sea festival schedule posted

2007-02-06T17:54:00.000-08:00

The full schedule for CEA's Save the Sea festival has been posted at:
http://www.ceakumal.org/second_annual_cea_festival_sched.html.

Reservations for the gala dinner must be made in person with a deposit of $15 USD at the CEA Center. The dinner will sell out, so you can't go to the dinner without a reservation.

Watch for Portuguese Man-of-War

2007-02-02T14:18:00.000-08:00

CEA executive director Paul Sánchez-Navarro reports on Portuguese Man-of-War jelly fish in the Akumal area:

"We've seen only about 5 of the puffy things come ashore, but I thought it might be important to mention, as I have never seen one here in my 3 years here."

The have powerful stinging tentacles and shouldn't be touched in the water or on the shore, where the tentacles can still deliver a sting.

Learn more at here.

January newsletter on line

2007-01-27T08:37:00.000-08:00

CEA's January newsletter is online with stories about monitoring juvenile turtles, monitoring the reef, Save the Sea festival, and the water quality program.

Monitoring Juvenile Turtles in Akumal Bay

2007-01-20T17:05:00.000-08:00

CEA's new project on juvenile turtles in Akumal Bay is running very well. In December we took blood samples to know more about the health and genetics of the turtles. We also tagged them for future observations. CEA will let you know about the results once we get them.

We thank all those who support this project: Roberto Herrera, Fernando Muñoz Tannery, Ana Negrete, Maria Reynaga, Saulo Herrera, Hamid Rad, Alma Boada, José Galian, Maria Ruiz, Rokhsaneh Jhodayar, Thalia Watmough, Juvencio Bermúdez, David Lawry, Juan Jesús Fernández, Margot and Karen Hendrikse, our boat captains Antonio Moo, Mario Chan, Jose Pech and the Akumal Dive Shop.

Bottom fishing powerfully impacts reefs

2007-01-14T16:44:00.000-08:00

The most classic bottom fish for most anglers is the grouper. Whether red, gag, black, yellowfin, or Warsaw, a good grouper in the ice chest means a successful day for lots of folks. - Saltfishing.about.com

However, grouper play a critical role in the ecology of coral reefs and removing them upsets the fragile balance of reefs.

The reef’s Web of life breaks down when grouper aren’t present to eat damsel fish, which literally tend gradens of algae, as one food source. Excess algae growth smoothers the live coral, killing it.

The more grouper taken from the bottom, the more damsel fish live to garden more, setting a system-wide collapse of the reef ecology.

Bottom fishing tends to remove the older and larger grouper (the ones of breeding age) needed to repopulate the grouper population on the reef.

In addition, anchoring to stay in one place to fish often hits coral, and the damaged coral usually dies.

Marine Protected Areas in Quintana Roo

2007-01-10T12:52:00.000-08:00

The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) promotes Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). A summary of MPAs explains:

Coral reefs are one of the most productive, yet most threatened, ecosystems on the planet. A wide variety of activities ranging from coastal development to global warming to overfishing have endangered coral reef health. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provide a comprehensive approach to addressing these threats and are one of the most promising solutions for the survival of coral reefs and the many benefits they provide to people.

Read about the Cozumel Reefs National Park, a Marine Protected Area.

Click here for an overview of Marine Protected Areas in Quintana Roo.

Save the Sea festival shaping up

2007-01-05T18:28:00.000-08:00

Centro Ecológico Akumal will hold its second annual festival, Save the Sea, February 21 and 22, 2007.

This year we are keeping the activities that everyone enjoyed during our first festival, and adding a lot more fun and information. We've also added a Photo Contest. You may submit your images electronically to info@ceakumal.org, or in person, starting today. The photos will be judged and the winning photos will be entered into our silent auction. All photos that are submitted for the contest may be used in future newsletters or on our Web site, and become the property of CEA. Please see the Photo Contest Rules below.

We are bringing back the ever-popular Silent Auction. This year we have some wonderful items to auction off, from vacation rentals to tours to exquisite pieces of art to dinners for two, and much, much more. There will be something for everyone—locals and vacationers, young and old. The silent auction will be open to the public at the CEA Center on both the 21 and 22. It will temporarily close at 4:30 p.m. on the 22 ONLY to be moved to Lol-Ha Beach Bar where the final hour will be held during Happy Hour. When the bell rings to end Happy Hour, so ends the bidding. There will be a number of wonderful activities that will focus on the environment, saving the sea, and exploring where and how we fit in. These activities will include talks, walks, contests, workshops, question and answer sessions, snorkeling tours, face painting, sand sculpturing, and lots more. February 21 includes a cocktail gathering at the CEA Center, followed by drumming and stargazing. February 22 kicks off with an early morning bird walk, a beach clean-up and then we will end the Festival with our Second Annual Gala Dinner at Lol-Ha. This year we are adding a few surprises to the evening as well as dancing! Last year this event sold out, so be sure to make your reservations early.

Everyone at CEA looks forward to your participation in this year's event. And we thank you for your continued support. For more information, please contact us. Visit our Web site and stop by the CEA Center to learn more about what CEA does.

Photo Contest Rules:

Photos may be digital or print (8 x 10) and need to be taken within 100 kilometers of Akumal.

Please designate a category for your photo(s):
1) Underwater
2) Landscape
3) Land-based topics
4) Turtles
5) People and Nature

CEA employees, volunteers, board members, judges (or family members of any of these) may not participate.

Last day to submit photos is January 31, 2007. Judging will take place February 5-8, 2007. The winners will be announced February 9 and the winning photos will be on display in the CEA Center during the Festival.

Beach restoration and recycling

2006-12-29T07:03:00.000-08:00

CEA continues to work with the community to offer a beach area worthy of recognition, locally and regionally, through integrated efforts towards sustainability. Our goal is to set an example of quality beach management for others in our municipality.

We have just finished the first and second zoning of the dune areas. This will help us to promote the delicate preservation of these ecosystems, essential to our beaches in Akumal, and to study the dynamic of dune growth through improved management.

Also, we have installed educational and information boards at the entrance to the beach, and a small palapa with information for visitors and the community. The boards will allow everyone to understand a bit more about our natural resources and how they can help to protect them.

As mentioned in the last newsletter, we have installed two new business signs along the road to help visitors find the local businesses more easily which participate in our integrated coastal management project.

We are also restarting our recycling project for Akumal and will tell you more about it in our next newsletter. The project is a bit more ambitious because we want to include all of Akumal and, thanks to a contribution from the Hotel Akumal Caribe, CEA now has the chance to have a trailer for taking recyclables to Playa del Carmen.

Save the Sea - Festival, Photo Contest, Silent Auction

2006-12-21T12:17:00.000-08:00

Silent Auction and Photo Contest February 21 and 22

Want to help CEA with our festival this year but don't know how?

Here are two easy ways: 1) Donate an item, service or vacation rental for our second annual Silent Auction; 2) Participate in our first annual Save the Sea Photo Contest.

This year we are adding a photo contest to our activities. You may submit your images electronically or in person starting today. The photos will be judged and the winning photos will be entered into our silent auction. All photos that are submitted for the contest may be used in future newsletters or on our Web site, and become the property of CEA.

The requirements for the contest are that the photos need to be taken within 100 kilometers of Akumal, of anything that represents nature or the coastal ecosystem (marine life, seascapes, water, beach).

For more information, or to submit your photos, please stop by the CEA Center or contact us.

Hekab Be Biblioteca's annual holiday party

2006-12-10T09:18:00.000-08:00

Come join the chaos and fun at Hekab Be Biblioteca's annual holiday party. Akumal's inspirational library and literacy center is having its party on December 21, at 10 a.m. Where else, but at the library! Also, the library will be closed December 24–Jan. 1 for vacation and to rest up from the party.

If you come to the party, you'll see lots of excited kids waiting for presents, moms and grandmas, piñatas, presents, silly contests, singing, awards, etc.

Rumor has it that, once again, a tropical Santa Claus will appear in full Santa uniform and beard—except with short sleeves, shorts, and flip-flops! Shhh, don't tell anyone, but Santa might just be helped out this year by someone you know from Turtle Bay Bakery.

If you come, please bring some food that is easy to share, like fruit, nuts, chips, etc. The party is somewhat "pot luck." Of course, there will be candy in the piñatas, and, this year, two big cakes.

Fidecaribe gets new name

2006-12-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

Fidecaribe, the federal agency charged with selling and developing land along the Riviera Maya, has changed its name to Instituto del Patrimonio Inmobiliario de la Administración Pública (IPAE).

Holiday message from the CEA director

2006-12-05T12:50:00.000-08:00

To read the complete text of the message from Paul Sánchez-Navarro, click here.

It has been a busy year at CEA. We have participated in a number of events on reef conservation, sharing our experience in Akumal and offering recommendations in reef protection and management. CEA has worked hard to find ways to link scientific work to real action—helping to ensure that good science reaches decision makers and influences how we all use the coastal ecosystem. We have been working for better understanding of the threats that reef ecosystems face and ways to improve human interaction with our coastal ecosystem ...

Please join us in our journey to unite knowledge with action in 2007. We cannot succeed without you. Your donations make you a partner in protecting our beautiful coastal marine ecosystem, helping to make sure we move forward. You will be helping us to better inform visitors in our Information Center, to keep the process going with local schools, and will be contributing to our quest to apply solutions to waste management problems, including keeping garbage from the sea.

We appreciate your support and your inspiration to keep us going. Thank you to everyone who has already renewed their membership. All of us at Centro Ecológico Akumal wish you a loving and peaceful holiday season and hope to see you in Akumal in 2007—the beach awaits you!

All my best,

Paul Sánchez-Navarro
Director
Centro Ecológico Akumal
www.ceakumal.org

To charge your membership or donation online, click here, or write a check to YEF, CEA's fiscal sponsor, and send to the Yucatan Environmental Foundation, PO Box 2116, Madison WI 53701-2116. Both methods allow your gifts to be tax deductible in the United States.

CEA Presentation - Ready for 2007 - Dec. 1, 2006

2006-12-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

You are cordially invited to
An evening presentation of
Centro Ecologico Akumal -Ready for 2007
Recycling, Bay Protection Campaigns and More
Friday, December 1
6:30 p.m.
At CEA Information Center
Wine and snacks

Akumal Council has new polo shirt

2006-11-15T12:40:00.000-08:00

According to the Akumal Council's Web site, The cost of these cotton polo shirts is $25 USD. They will be available in Akumal and possibly by mail order in the near future. We are working out the details now based on demand. Proceeds go toward the Akumal Council's operating expenses.

Click here to order.

No fishing near swimming beaches

2006-11-10T17:24:00.000-08:00

According to CEA Executive Director Paul Sanchez-Navarro, there is no fishing within 250 meters of beaches used by swimmers.

Fishing with a line and tackle is allowed in other areas (where there are no hotels or regular swimming areas), for personal consumption only, not commercial.

Underwater spear fishing is generally not allowed and requires a special permit.

More than 9,000 hatchlings by October

2006-11-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

More than 9,000 turtles hatched from nests on Half Moon Bay, Akumal Bay, and Jade Beach. See the results by location and species on the Web site of Centro Ecológico Akumal.

Good construction practices for hurricane survival

2006-11-05T17:07:00.001-08:00

Udi Saly, of Maya Caribe Arquitectura, made an excellent presentation at the workshop in February of 2006. His presentation (in PDF) analyzed hurricanes Emily and Wilma and then showed how to build homes to minimize hurricane damage.

Udi's detailed presentation is uploaded in three parts:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Fidecaribe building turned over to municipality

2006-10-30T10:08:00.000-08:00

The Akumal Council regularly reports on local developments on its Web site. Here's a recent story about the old Fidecaribe building at the entrance to Akumal:

Finally the municipality turned that building over to us after obtaining possession from the State government. Initially we invested in landscaping, general repainting and the drawing of AC, Solidaridad and Promoción Institucional de Akumal logos on its exterior. It has served us so far in hosting two meetings, one of them with the mayor. Now we are planning to get electricity and water so that we can put it to further use as a tourist information center and police station. The final remodeling will involve building air-conditioned offices for the AC administration center on the upper floor.

Read more here.

New Staff Join CEA

2006-10-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

CEA is proud to announce a few staff changes. We have a new Marine and Coastal Protection Program Coordinator, Miguel Ángel Maldonado. He comes to Akumal from Puerto Morelos, where he worked as the head of Investigation and Monitoring in the National Reef Park of Puerto Morelos. He also worked on different projects related with environmental education programs. We will include his photograph in the next newsletter.

Juan Antonio Huerta has been working as our new property manager, doing a great job helping CEA get its space in order, look great and improve our beach management. Juan Antonio was the director of the Environment Department at the Municipal government and is a biologist, with strong experience in waste management and sustainable beach management.

Edith Sosa Bravo has returned to CEA, after getting her Master’s degree in aquaculture. She was at CEA a few years ago, as Environmental Education Coordinator. Edith now runs our Water Quality Program. Welcome back, Edith!

Sustainability Workshop at CEA, Nov. 6 - 12

2006-10-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA) offers a sustainability workshop, November 6 – 12, in Akumal, Mexico, one of the most beautiful spots along the Mexican Caribbean.

The course will cover alternative technologies for the production of energy, the treatment of wastewater, and the disposal of solid waste. See more details at http://www.ceakumal.org/sustainability_workshop.html.

Contact Edith Sosa (agua@ceakumal.org) for more details.

Mexican law on fishing

2006-10-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

· Sport fishing is only permitted for fin fish. It is prohibited to capture crustaceans, molluscs, marine mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

· Only one fishing rod, fishing line or hand line, with bait or lure, is allowed per sport fisher. The resistance of the fishing line cannot exceed 60 kilograms.

· For deep sea fishing, only one fishing rod or fishing line with up to 4 hooks in a vertical line is permitted per fisher.

· The maximum number of specimens caught per day stands at 10 per fisher. Of this number only 5 of the same species is permitted.

With regard to marlin, sailfish, swordfish and shark, the maximum number per fisher is one specimen of any of these species, which is equivalent to 5 specimens of any other species.

In the case of tarpon, dolphinfish and roosterfish, the maximum allowed catch is of 2 specimens of either of these species, which is equivalent to 5 specimens of any other species.

· Spearfishing is only allowed if free diving (i.e. it is prohibited to fish using SCUBA). It is only permitted to fish a maximum of 5 specimens of any fish species per diver/day.

· Fishing is prohibited during closed seasons, within 250 meters of the edge of beaches frequented by swimmers, within 250 meters of vessels dedicated to commercial fishing and in zones that are natural refuges, reserves or protected areas.

"Reef Balls" en el mar en frente de Media Luna

2006-10-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

Hace un tiempo, habiamos comunicado que se iban a poner unos "Reef Balls" en el mar en frente de Media Luna, como parte de un estudio en el caribe mexicano. Llegaron ayer y van a empezar meterlo el dia de hoy. Van a estar en el mar, en el arenal al fondo del mar, justo en frente de Media Luna.

El grupo es de la universidad de NOVA Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center en Florida y Cuentan con todas las autorizaciones de Semarnat. La semana pasada meterion 40 en frente de Puerto Morelos. Parece que van a poner 11 aca. Es un estudio de reclutamiento de coral, para medir los tiempos de reclutamiento y de crecimiento, ademas de revisar cuales otras especies utilizan las estructuras. Estan hechos de un concreto no-toxico y pesan alrededor de 700 kilos.

Vamos a reportar el proceso en nuestro boletin mensual. Agradecemos el apoyo del Akumal Dive Shop.

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Some time ago, we communicated that Reef Balls were going to be placed in the sea in front of Half Moon bay, as part of a study in the Mexican Caribbean. The group installing them arrived yesterday and today will begin to place them on the sea floor. They will be on the sand in front of Half Moon Bay.

The research group is from NOVA Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center in Florida and they do have all the necessary Semarnat permits. Last week they put 40 in front of Puerto Morelos. It looks like they will put 11 here. This is to study coral recruitment, measuring recruitment and growth over time, as well as seeing what other species use the structures. They are made of non-toxic concrete and weigh about 700 kilos.

We will be reporting the process in our monthly newsletter. Thanks to Akumal Dive Shop for its help.

Saludos,
Paul Sanchez-Navarro
Centro Ecológico Akumal
Executive Director