Marine life of Isla Contoy National Park

Mexico is a country that is home to varied and wonderful marine fauna. Species such as the vaquita (Phocoena sinus) in the waters of the Gulf of California, the totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) in the Sea of Cortez, and the sea pans (Limulus polyphemus) are endemic species of this incredible country (which unfortunately are in danger of extinction).

Currently, different government agencies, such as the Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the National Commission of Protected Areas (CONANP), and the Federal Attorney's Office for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), are working as a team to preserve this vulnerable and beautiful ecosystem of Mexico.

Preserving ecosystems and protected areas on land and at sea has allowed for proper care of endangered species. Sites such as the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, the Cozumel Wetlands, and Isla Contoy are of vital importance for the conservation of marine species.

Isla Contoy is strategically located where the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the cold waters coming from the Yucatan Channel meet. The interaction of these ecosystems provides a mixture of nutrients that help the proliferation of plankton. It is an area full of food for different marine species.

A Natural Protected Area such as Isla Contoy National Park is home to great marine diversity, so today, we will review the main types of marine species that inhabit its waters.

Marine Invertebrates on Isla Contoy

The category of marine invertebrates of Isla Contoy is mostly made up of benthic communities, that is, a community formed by grouped organisms such as corals. Within the communities of organisms, we can find:

• Sea sponges are divided into 34 species, 25 genera, and 20 families.
• Echinoderms divided into
• Asteroidea: Common sea stars.
• Ophiocomidae: Sea stars with slender and mobile tentacle-like arms.
• Echinoidea: Sea urchins.
• Holothuroidea: Sea cucumbers.

• Mollusks divided into
• Gastropods: snails, sea slugs, sea hares, abalone, etc.
• Bivalves: With double shells, such as oysters, clams, razor clams, and mussels.

• Polychaetes, the eunicida (or marine worms), are the most abundant in the area.
• Marine crustaceans include the Caribbean lobster (Panulirus argus) and the horseshoe crab (Limulus Polyphemus).
• Corals divided into 
• Scleractinians are formed mainly by mountain and elkhorn coral.
• Star coral and mustard coral form Eunicea.

Sharks on Isla Contoy

We have good news if you are afraid of encountering a shark while swimming at Isla Contoy beach. Since Isla Contoy National Park is such an exclusive place, only a small part of the territory can be used as a beach, and if you visit the island, you will notice that the beach's waters are very low. The swimming space is delimited with buoys in the sea. The purpose of this is to prevent visitors from entering protected areas. In conclusion, there are no sharks in Isla Contoy, at least not near the island.

If we head southwest of Isla Contoy, towards the area of Isla Mujeres, we can find areas like the cave of the sleeping sharks, with species such as:

• Nurse shark or nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum).
• Sand tiger shark (Carcharias Taurus)
• Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
• Whitetip shark (Triaenodon obesus)
• Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata)

Isla Contoy Fish species

There are many types of fish in Isla Contoy, 257 species grouped in 148 genera and 72 families. Since the water is very rich in nutrients, we can find from pelagic fish (or large fish) to small specimens that fit in the palm of a hand. Let's look at the most important and striking specimens that haunt the seas of Contoy.

• Grunt fish (Haemulon): They carry a pattern of colorful and striking stripes that run all over their bodies. They live in reefs and feed on benthic invertebrates (which we mentioned above).
• Royal shad (Megalops atlanticus): Large fish. Its meat is not so nice to eat, so it is a desirable prey for sport fishing.
• Blue surgeonfish (Paracanthurus hepatus): This specimen (which reminds us of a famous children's character) has an indigo color with black stripes and yellowfins. This fish is not for human consumption as it causes poisoning, so is caught for its colors for decorative purposes in aquariums.
• Four-eyed butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus): The butterflyfish is the most common species in the Caribbean. It lives in coral areas, sunny, rocky areas, and seagrasses. They are small fish that can measure up to 15 centimeters.
• Whale shark (Rhincodon typus): If you are wondering why this species is not in the shark category, the reality is that the whale shark is a fish, and it is the largest fish in the world. It is famous for being harmless, which means that it is possible to swim with them. From May to September, these incredible specimens arrive in groups in the Caribbean waters to feed on plankton and reproduce. In addition to their size, their main characteristic is the grayish spots that form a pattern on their bluish-gray skin.

Stingrays in Isla Contoy

Among the stingrays that can be found in Isla Contoy are:

• Giant Manta (Manta birostri): These manta rays lack a venomous sting in the tail. They inhabit temperate seas and feed on plankton and small fish. They can jump and communicate with other rays.
• Eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari): Also known as marbled rays, they inhabit the shallow waters of coral reefs. Its tail is longer than its body and has several venomous spines.

Sea turtles in Isla Contoy

Sea turtles are one of the main attractions during the Isla Contoy Experience Tour. You can see three types of turtles in Isla Contoy.  Sometimes, seeing them with the naked eye is difficult because they are shy and hide in deeper waters. But if you pay attention, you can see them from your boat when they come up for air to the surface.

What kind of turtles are found on the island?

• Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata): It is less than 1m long. It has a carapace with translucent dark brown and yellow plates. Its snout resembles a beak used to catch crustaceans and sponges.
• Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) has a very large head. Its carapace is dark in color and has yellow flippers. It is carnivorous and feeds on crabs, fish, and mollusks.
• White turtle (Chelonia mydas): Also known as the green turtle. It has a white chest and an olive-green carapace with reddish or brownish streaks. It weighs about 250 kg. It is herbivorous and feeds on seagrasses.

Species with fishing value

There is also a record of species with high fishing value, such as:

• Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), 
• Schoolmaster snapper (Lutjanus apodus)
• Mangrove snapper (Lutjanus griseus)
• Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) 
• Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus)
• Blue striped grunt locally known as Chac-chi (Haemulon sciurus) 
• Ballyhoo (Hemiramphus brasiliensis)

CONTOY ISLAND: FISHING SUSTENANCE

Thanks to the protection work carried out between the government, the companies, and the inhabitants of the area, Isla Contoy has managed to preserve the beauty that characterizes it and to provide sustenance through the fishing resources of the area.