MEXICO

The island of SanMiguel De Cozumel, whichlies off the Yucatan peninsula,is up in arms against a proposed 550 m pier for cruiseliners near its famousParadise reef. The reef ishome to thousands ofcolourful sea creatures and adiving treat for committedscuba divers. The new project "is paving Paradise toput up a parking lot forcruise ships", fumes BobSterner, a scuba diver.Interestingly, the pier has the backing of the Mexicangovernment.

Angry Cozumel greenshave lodged an official complaint with the NorthAmerican Free Trade Agreement's (NAFTA) Commissionfor Environmental Cooperation and have accused theMexican government of having sidestepped its own lawswhich require that extensiveenvironmental studies haveto be carried out for any newproject. But for Cozumelinhabitants, it could be a losing battle as the Commissiondoes not have the powers tocurtail new developments,eco-friendly or not.