Mexican Law Prohibits....

Collecting shells is a problem for the animals that live inside them. Probably just a few shells on the beach, especially the flat ones, don't make a difference. But, any shell that would be an animals home & protection shouldn't be picked up. Think about how full those shops are with shells. They don't use the best practices when collecting them & can harm the coral. So I just avoid stuff like that all together.

know this law seems a bit extreme but it really has some great reason behind it...

I have visited both Jamaica and Mexico. I will NEVER return to Jamaica and one of the reasons was they do not protect their natural coral reefs. The coral reefs actually have a lot to do with the ecological systems and the survival of certain species of fish. In Jamaica they would actually dive down during our snorkeling tour and BREAK off a piece of the coral. It just seemed so unnatural to me. I do not get the whole collecting shells on the beach. Maybe they are trying to rejuvenate the large amount of beaches that were washed away from the hurricane?? Just my 2 cents

There is a group in Akumal (Riviera Maya town) that is trying to get legislation passed to make touching or harming marine life a fineable offense. That includes sea turtles, coral, shells, fish, etc.

This would apply mainly to tour companies. If a person in a tour group breaks the rules, the tour operator will be fined. I think it is a great start to preserving what is left of the reef along the Riviera Maya.

Good to know!

wow, that is good to know. guess i won't be stealing sand for the sand ceremony, lol