Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA)
Contact
Alma Boada Sanchez
Comunicacion CEA
Email: comunicacion@ceakumal.org
Web site: www.ceakumal.org
CEA, Inaugurates the International Year of the Reefs
January 29, Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA) inaugurates 2008, International Year of the Reefs with a reefs' photo exhibit. The exhibition took place at CEA information center, where more than 120 people came to see the great images that locals and tourist provided.
Quintana Roo's reefs are part of the Mesoamerican Reef System, which is the second largest in the world, extending from the northeast tip of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, down through the coasts of Belize and Guatemala all the way to the Bay Islands in Honduras. They are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet, and are home to over 4,000 fish species, 800 coral species and more. They protect the coast from erosion, tropical storms and hurricanes. Coral reefs attract tourism making them an important factor in the local economy.
Reef ecosystems are very fragile and susceptible to natural and man-made changes such as those caused by: coastal development, mangrove deforestation, over fishing & destructive fishing practices, coral harvesting, and the physical impact from those who touch or stand on coral, water pollution, hurricanes and global warming.
With events such as these, CEA hopes to get people involved in environmental issues, by raising awareness about the beauty and importance of marine and coastal ecosystems. The photo exhibit is just the beginning of a big list of activities. We believe that we will be able to reach our goal to communicate and educate people about the importance to protect one of the most vital reefs systems in the world, the Mesoamerican Reef System.
