Ernesto Hevia del Puerto, co-founder of Cozumel Ocean Research

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Scientist Highlights

Ernesto Hevia del Puerto is an oceanologist, dive medical technician, and SCUBA instructor with more than 25 years experience in recreational, technical, scientific & cave diving. He is the head researcher & coordinator of the Cozumel spotted eagle ray project and has participated in many projects as research coordinator, expedition leader and aquatic safety supervisor. These include oceanographic projects, marine turtle conservation, photo identification of humpback whales, wildlife management & exploration and mapping of shipwrecks and underwater caves in Mexico and other destinations around the world.

Ernesto Hevia del Puerto is the co-founder of Cozumel Ocean Research, focused on the conservation and awareness of natural resources in Cozumel. He collaborates closely with Cozumel’s Marine National Park administration, working on reef conservation and restoration programs.

He is leading the study “Impacts of diving and snorkeling activities to Cozumel’s reefs.” COR also collaborates with the "Healthy Reefs for Healthy People" project, monitoring coral reef health, including studying coral bleaching and the recent outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) in the Mesoamerican Reef System. Visit Cozumel Ocean Research to learn more about their work!