Parley Mexico currently operates in multiple locations across the Yucatán Peninsula – working in collaboration with more than 30 local groups, government institutions, universities, social organizations and the private sector. As a hotspot for biodiversity, the interception of marine plastic pollution is crucial to the survival of endangered species in this beautiful region.
“Intercepting plastic pollution in the most important beaches for sea turtle nesting helps to reduce the threat of rising temperatures in the nests – supporting the protection of endangered species such as the hawksbill sea turtle and green sea turtle.”
Alejandro Rodríguez – Parley Mexico
PROTECTING WILDLIFE in THE YUCATÁN
Ever year on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, four of the planet’s seven species of sea turtle come to nest amid the area’s beaches and dunes. Hawksbills, green sea turtles, loggerheads and leatherback sea turtles all prefer areas where there is no artificial light and noise, and places where the dunes and their vegetation are well preserved. Unfortunately, these more remote areas are often the most polluted by marine plastic waste.
To help increase their chances for survival – and safeguard seabirds and other species – Parley has been working in collaboration with local organizations and volunteers to organize cleanup initiatives in Mexico, with a focus on the Yucatán Peninsula and the fragile ecosystems of the Area de Protección de Flora y Fauna (APFF) Yum Balam, APFF Isla Cozumel, Parque Nacional Isla Contoy and Parque Nacional Tulum.
WORKING IN Mangroves & Cenotes
Crisscrossing Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, a vast system of limestone caves forms a unique underwater world linking the region’s forests, mangroves and towns to offshore coral reefs and the Caribbean Sea beyond. In collaboration with the Benito Juarez Municipality, CONANP (the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas of Mexico) andand other local organizations, Parley Mexico works to intercept plastic and other solid waste from cenotes and mangroves. These important ecosystems provide habitat in the coastal city of Cancun to wildlife like resident and migratory birds and crocodiles; and are directly interconnected to the underground water system and the unique Mesoamerican Reef System.
Education
As part of our global Parley AIR Strategy (Avoid, Intercept, Redesign), Parley is leading education initiatives with Mexican youth. In collaboration with several Universities, Parley Mexico is implementing an awareness program working with students by analyzing plastic use at home and activating youth and their families to avoid it. These collaborations have also allowed us to do plastic monitoring in sandy beaches, analyze the data and develop reports.
FISHING NET INTERCEPTION & UPCYCLING INITIATIVE
Ghost gear (fishing nets and other equipment that has been abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded) is the deadliest type of debris for marine animals and has the potential for the greatest negative economic impacts on coastal communities. At least 800,000 tons of it ends up in the oceans annually – although the actual amount is likely far higher.
Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Parley’s Mexico AIR Marine Debris Mitigation Initiative collects derelict fishing gear from 16 fishing communities in the States of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Campeche and Yucatán in the Gulf of Mexico and Quintana Roo in the Mexican Caribbean. Working again with CONANP, the vast project stretches across 17 Marine Protected Areas along 4,470 km of coastline, and aims to provide a local end-to-end solution for monofilament nylon nets by upcycling them locally. Cleanups and local education projects are key, with a focus on coastal communities, university students and fishers.
PARLEY AIR Tourism Initiative – Quintana Roo
This new outreach project focuses on the tourism sector in the Mexican Caribbean islands of Quintana Roo state. The objective is to increase the degree of awareness about plastic pollution and reduce the consumption of plastics in travel businesses that operate in designated new ‘plastic exclusion zones’. Local residents, visitors, trade networks and environmental authorities are consulted and involved in program activities, and so far 20 local businesses have been certified. Parley Mexico runs education workshops for managers, focusing on plastic’s impact on businesses and the environment, the importance of waste auditing and proper management, and how to implement plastic avoidance strategies. In addition, ten multilingual public information boards have been installed to increase awareness about the Holbox and Cozumel Plastic Exclusion Zone designations and the benefits of reducing plastic usage and disposal in these fragile ecosystems.
Learn more and join the program
(Page in Spanish)
SUPPORT OUR WORK IN MExico
Your support helps us tackle plastic pollution and other threats facing the oceans. All donations go directly to our global teams, helping to fund cleanups, education and infrastructure projects.
PARLEY Mexico 🇲🇽
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Parley’s global network works to protect marine environments from plastic pollution and other threats. Through collaborative cleanups with local businesses and organizations, our teams and volunteers intercept plastic waste from beaches, remote islands, rivers, mangroves and coastal communities. Each country team shares our vision for healthier oceans globally, and works locally to champion the Parley AIR Strategy.
Since the inception of Parley for the Oceans, we’ve been able to intercept over 8.1 million kg of debris from the environment and coastal communities across the globe with the help of over 574,000 volunteers. We’ve also launched an extensive educational program, both virtual and physical. Our global cleanups and educational initiatives have reached over 1 million participants across 57 different countries and counting.
Thank you to all our Collaborators in Mexico!
Cozumel
Buccanos
La Cuisine
Albatros
Hotel Puerto Libre
Hotel B
Aviomar Adventours
Explora Tours
Hotel Kinta Kan
Palmeras
Isla Mujeres
Cancun Sailing
Ice Bar
Ixi Zama
Marina Bartolome
Municipio Isla Mujeres