New Artificial Reef Takes Shape Off Río Lagartos

A first-ever artificial reef project sank 30 concrete structures three miles (4.8 kilometers) off the coast of Río Lagartos in late February. The effort marks the opening move in a broader plan to reshape the future of the Yucatán Peninsula’s northern shore in environmental, fishing, and tourism.

Officials from the Secretaría de Pesca y Acuacultura Sustentables de Yucatán — Sepasy, or the state fisheries and aquaculture agency — led the inaugural deployment. The structures were placed in a pre-selected zone chosen for its seafloor stability and minimal ecological disruption.

Yucatán state officials dropped concrete structures off the coast of Rio Lagartos in February 2026 to rebuild marine life and tourism there.Photo: Courtesy
A new artificial reef in Rio Lagartos could welcome snorkelers by summer.Photo: Courtesy
Local fishermen in Rio Lagartos wait for their boats to be serviced during a break from the rain.File photo
Río Lagartos on a sleepy morning when the time is right for catching tarpon off the Yucatán coast.Photo: David N. McIlvaney / Yucatán Magazine
Fishing off the coast of Rio Lagartos, Yucatán, can lead to some breathtaking views.Photo: David N. McIlvaney / Yucatán Magazine
Río Lagartos suffered some of the worst flooding in the state, as waves brought ocean water well into the downtown area.2024 file photo
Along with the noble t’ho, flamingos are Yucatán’s most beloved bird. They can be seen in Celestún, Sisal, and Río Lagartos in great numbers, but smaller groups can also be seen around Progreso and Telchac.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
A striking red pool is used in the production of salt near Rio Lagartos, Mexico.Photo: Getty

“We are very happy,” said Lila Frías Castillo, Sepasy’s secretary, at the launch event. “The challenge is to keep organizing ourselves to increase actions in favor of marine life and abundance.”

Frías Castillo credited Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena with prioritizing ocean health and the livelihoods of fishing communities. She also framed the reef project as something bigger than conservation alone. “Yucatán has 370 kilometers (230 miles) of coastline and 15 fishing ports,” she said, “which gives us a historic opportunity to extend this system of artificial reefs along our entire coast.”

What the Artificial Reef Is Built to Do

The structures are designed to attract marine species — particularly grouper, octopus, and spiny lobster — by mimicking natural reef conditions. As organisms colonize the surfaces, a self-sustaining underwater habitat takes shape.

Rodrigo Ojeda Rodríguez, operations director of Prodeses, the organization coordinating the project, said the end goal is straightforward: “marine restoration, stronger fisheries, and a boost to ecotourism.” The full plan calls for up to 500 structures, which planners describe as forming a kind of underwater mountain range along the coast.

The technology itself comes with a track record. The project is built around the Reef Ball system — dome-shaped, pH-neutral concrete modules with openings that allow water and marine life to pass through freely. The Reef Ball Foundation, an international nonprofit, has deployed more than one million such structures in over 80 countries. The approach has been used to restore coral reefs, improve fisheries, and build snorkeling and diving sites around the world.

Javier Dajer Cross, director of the Reef Ball component of the Río Lagartos project, called the initiative “challenging and of deep social significance,” noting that local fishermen are directly involved in transporting the structures using their own boats. That community buy-in, he said, is core to the project’s design.

Cristóbal Enrique Cáceres G. Cantón, who also participated in the launch, highlighted coordination with the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (Conanp) — the federal agency overseeing Mexico’s protected natural areas. He described the project as both an ecological tool and a path toward economic diversification, especially for species currently under fishing restrictions.

Snorkeling by Summer

Officials are projecting that snorkeling will be possible at the site by summer 2026, once fish begin colonizing the structures and the natural process of marine settlement takes hold. For a town already known for its pink flamingos and wildlife tours, the reef could open an entirely new attraction.

Mario Antonio Massa Alcocer, a local tourism service provider, said the reef has real earning potential for the community once it matures. “It will be able to offer snorkeling services,” he said, “generating new economic activity for Río Lagartos.”

The Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve — the estuary system surrounding the town — was designated a UNESCO Ramsar wetland in 1986 and is home to the largest nesting colony of Caribbean flamingos in North America. Adding a marine attraction offshore could broaden the area’s appeal well beyond birdwatching, drawing underwater enthusiasts who don’t currently have much reason to make the trip.

The Secretaría de Desarrollo Sustentable, the state’s sustainable development agency, will also participate in the ongoing effort alongside Sepasy.

Artificial Reef Ball Fast Facts

First deployment: 30 structures placed 3 miles (4.8 km) offshore, February 2026
Planned total: up to 500 structures along the Río Lagartos coast
Target species: grouper, octopus, spiny lobster
Technology: Reef Ball system — hollow, pH-neutral concrete modules with ventilation openings
Lead agencies: Sepasy, Secretaría de Desarrollo Sustentable, Conanp
Community role: Local fishing boats used for transport and deployment
Timeline: Snorkeling access expected by summer 2026

With reporting by La Jornada Maya