Cozumel Fish Library

The Villa Blanca Reef is a crucial, yet highly vulnerable, section of Cozumel's underwater ecosystem, serving as a powerful focal point for local conservation. Historically damaged by sedimentation from coastal development and the construction of cruise ship piers, the reef's health directly dictates the fate of its vibrant inhabitants. It forms part of the Mesoamerican barrier reef.

 

The Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program (CCRRP) was founded on the mission to actively combat this decline, primarily by growing and transplanting thousands of coral fragments to restore the reef's structural integrity. This coral restoration is vital because the reef's complex three-dimensional structure provides the essential shelter, breeding grounds, and feeding areas for hundreds of fish species. Consequently, the success of the CCRRP’s work—which includes transplanting coral and building artificial platforms—is measured not just by the growth of new coral, but by the visible return and flourishing of the fish community. Our team frequently spot species like angelfish (Queen, French, and Grey), parrotfish, moray eels, and the island’s endemic mascot, the Splendid Toadfish, showcasing the tangible link between coral restoration and the resurgence of the reef's brilliant, diverse marine life.