Puerto Aventuras, Q.R. — The Environmental Department of Playa del Carmen says the manta ray incident at Puerto Aventuras has been clarified. Samantha Álvarez Hernández who heads the municipal department says the incident was deemed unintentional.
According to Álvarez Hernández, authorities looked into the report of a man fishing the manta ray off a residential area in Puerto Aventuras several days ago. The man was seen with a line cast to a captured manta ray in the Puerto Aventuras marina.
A resident captured the illegal fishing on video which was posted to social media. Playa del Carmen authorities were made aware of the incident, who, according to Álvarez Hernández, did investigate.
She said after receiving the report, inspectors were dispatched to the residential complex. In coordination with the housing complex manager, the incident was reviewed and confirmed to be an unintentional accident that occurred while a minor was play fishing with his family near the water.
The official explained that the manta ray was released without injury, a fact verified by a video provided by witnesses of the incident.
“If it had been intentional illegal fishing or a malicious act, Profepa (Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection) would have been notified, as appropriate. But in this case, it wasn’t necessary,” she clarified.
Álvarez Hernández emphasized that the Secretariat’s priority was to act quickly, verify the situation and clarify the facts to avoid speculation or misinformation.
She says the municipal agency maintains direct communication with the Navy, the authority that also supervises the coastal zone of Puerto Aventuras. Although their active intervention was not required, they were notified of the outcome of the assessment.
The Secretary of Medio Ambiente Sustentable and Cambio Climático and Zofemat of Playa del Carmen says that environmental awareness will be strengthened among residents of the complex.
Álvarez Hernández says signs will be installed and environmental education activities provided in order to protect the region’s marine fauna and prevent these types of situations.
