Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Thursday, January 9

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From the City....

Deadline for single-use plastic sales
The City has been meeting with businesses to provide information about eliminating single-use plastics, as required by the state law for the Prevention, Integral Management and Circular Economy of Waste. The general public are invited to comply with Article 22 which prohibits the use, sale, and distribution of single-use plastics.
The Director of the municipal Department of the Environment and Ecology, Carlos Barranco García, said their intent is that these products will no longer be in use by April. He said, “We have met with companies such as Chedraui, Super Akí, Super Willis and Dunosusa, who sell and distribute the majority of these products in Isla Mujeres. As the local authority, we're distributing information that although the law went into effect on December 15th, they will have until April to sell the products they have in stock, and after this period, store-by-store inspections will be carried out."

He explained that the banned single-use plastic products include straws, beverage containers/ glasses/cups, plates/trays, cutlery, the bags used to carry merchandise from stores, and rings used for packaging, as well as styrofoam products.
He said that caring for the environment is of the utmost importance to the City and environmental awareness has been reinforced with workshops and classes in the schools. There have been public service announcements and publicity on official pages to make the citizenry aware of the upcoming changes and to assist in the transition from single-use plastics to biodegradable options that are environmentally friendly.
“The stores have this quarter of the year to sell the products they have in stock but they definitely can no longer bring these products into the municipality. With these actions we seek not only to comply with the law, but also to maintain our commitment to protecting the environment and promoting the appropriate use of materials to avoid pollution," concluded the official.

From  Por Esto :

Fishing pays poorly

Pesca mal pagada, no vale la pena

  There are about two and a half months left of the lobster catching season, with production at about 30% less than last year, according to Baltazar Gómez Catzín, president of the Regional Federation of Cooperative Societies of the Fishing Industry of Q. Roo. He said the costs for gasoline and other expenses are high and profits are low, leaving little to save for the four months when lobster fishing is banned. 
   He said that in the southern part of the state at Punta Allen, they have caught about 40 tonnes, while last year production was at 65 tonnes at this time. In the north, at Cabo Catoche the lobster catch has been maintained, as well the capture of pollock (abadejo), and in Isla Mujeres, the fishermen who use nets or traps, or who dive very deeply, catch the most.
  He noted there have been an unprecedented number of cases of decompression treated, with a total of 160 since the beginning of the season (on July 1st), which he attributed to the fishermen diving deeper than before, and because they use compressors.
  He noted that the wholesale price for lobster of 500 pesos is designated by the state Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, but the Federation does not buy lobster.
 
Recognition of police on Police Day 

Festejo a policías por su Día

See yesterday's edition  

Good hotel occupancy  

Buena la ocupación hotelera

  Hotel occupancy was over 90 percent, and now that the holidays have ended, it has declined but remains good at nearly 80 percent. There are many overnight visitors, from countries where the weather is cold, especially from the United States and Canada, who arrive with suitcases and backpacks and prefer to visit in January and February. There are also many day-visitors, who enjoy the island between 10a and 5-6p. They tour in golf carts or stroll on foot along the streets and visit the beaches, dining on island specialties, purchasing mementos, and enjoying activities and sights. 
    Some golf cart companies reported they rented out their entire inventory, but it is no problem for early risers to obtain a cart. It is noted that on Hidalgo, the souvenir stores have business during the day and close around 8-9 pm, but during the holidays, some were open later. The restaurants on this pedestrian street are open in the evenings.
  Good economic benefits are expected for islanders during this period between January and Easter.

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  This blog is brought to you by....

MaraVilla Caribe   Bed & Beach    Three rentals with large glass doors overlooking our white sand beach and the beautiful Caribbean sea, with  kitchenettes & fast WIFI. In the coastal neighborhood of  Bachilleres, among upscale villas & boutique hotelitos, convenient to downtown or the colonias, yet separate.  Quiet & Private.   

A large slider opens from each of the 3 rooms onto the patio where each has a table & chairs, hammock & clotheslines. The BBQ is behind the pole, and the outdoor shower is outa the pic at left.

Free amenities such as hammocks,bikes, BBQ grills, safes, portable beach chairs & beach towels, washer & dryer, loungers. Breathtaking panoramic views from the rooftop terrace. Large sliding doors open to a patio & our backyard-beach, overlooking the Caribbean sea. Upstairs room also available. Downtown is  ~ a mile away; if you don't feel like walking,  flag a $2 taxi. Parking. You can enjoy the music & crowds downtown, then come home our quiet neighborhood of Bachilleres where you'll  sleep to the sounds of the sea..  $275/$325/$425 wk   $40/50/$65nt  Monthly Discounts

Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. We provide a list of links & direction to over 20 eateries within ten minutes walk, including Mango Cafe,  Mike's Pizza, Brisas, Rosa Sirena, Manolitos, La Chatita, Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery , Chedraui & local craft brewery.  Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend Yoga classes a couple villas away at Casa Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks away in the village, as well as a variety of other stores. Catch a bus or taxi out front. It takes 20-30  minutes to walk downtown.

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Full moon rising over the Caribbean 

 January 10  6:28
January 11  7:31
January 12  8:36
January 13   9:39
 January 14  10:41
January 15 11:41

Painting by Pamela Haase at MVC
 Sunset  ~6:15-6:35p (beginning vs end of month)
Sunrise ~7:25am

January Events 

Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events

Wednesday nights at 8:45p, the group "Isla en Bici" bike around the isle, meeting at Juarez &  Abasolo. Lights required, helmet recommended. LINK

Thursday afternoons ~3p-8p Artist Fair on the Paseo de la Triguena off the Town Square at the malecon by the food trucks.

Some Sunday evenings 8p on the Town Square "Noches Magicas" performances  

Fishermen in this region are banned from catching octopus during January.   LINK 

Friday, Jan. 3 First quarter moon. After the moon has completed the first quarter of its orbit around Earth, the relative positions of the Earth, sun, and moon cause us to see it half-illuminated — on its eastern side. At first quarter, the moon always rises around noon and sets around midnight local time, so it is conveniently positioned for observing before youngsters' bedtimes. The evenings around first quarter are excellent for looking at the lunar terrain while it is dramatically lit by low-angled sunlight. (Source-Space.com)

EARLY Saturday, Jan. 3 The Quadrantids meteor shower peaks between 3am and dawn. The moon won't be around to interfere. The shower's radiant, which is beyond the tip of the Big Dipper's handle, will be high in the northeastern sky.

Monday, Jan. 6, On the first Monday of each month, there is usually a civic ceremony in the morning, often on the Town Square around 8am.  

Monday, Jan. 6 Dia de Reyes/Kings Day At Ruben's Restaurant, in front of the Post Office & Mercado on the back street Guerrero, volunteers will be giving away 1000's of toys that have been donated, and a snack & drink, usually starting around 10am. They also provide hampers of food for families in need of them. The DIF social service agency usually has an event at the baseball field in front of Chedraui or at the Bicentennial with entertainment and raffles, starting around 4p or 5p, but it's not always held on the 6th.  Jan 6 is also Nurses Day in Mexico.

4:30 Kings Day festival at the Pescador baseball field 

Friday, Jan 10 Full moon rises at sunset & sets at sunrise. There will be an eclipse as the moon passes thru the earth's shadow, but only the beginning and final stages will be visible here .

Saturday & Sunday, January 25 & 26 Ultramarathon Nonstop 24 Hours Isla Mujeres event LINK

The Thor Heyerdahl traveling school-sailboat visits in late January-early February with about three dozen high school students on board. Under the tutelage of the experienced crew, the students learn to work together, sailing and navigating, as well as receiving their normal lessons. They sail from Germany to the Caribbean, departing in October and returning home in May.
      The ship is named for the man who sailed a hand made raft "Kon Tiki" from South America 5000 miles across the Pacific to the Tuamotu Islands in 1947, to demonstrate that ancient people could have made long sea voyages, creating contacts between apparently separate cultures. LINK  

Sources for Weather Information:
LINK to Civil Protection Q Roo weather bulletin  (Spanish)
LINK to Mexico National Weather Service (Spanish)
 LINK to satellite images for the Mexico National Weather Service
 LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation)
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres