Cancún Underwater Museum

Cancún Underwater Museum (Spanish: Museo Subacuático de Arte, or MUSA) is a non-profit organization based in Cancún, Mexico, dedicated to the art of conservation. The museum has a total of 500 sculptures, most by the British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, and the others by five Mexican artists. The museum's aim is to demonstrate the interaction between art and environmental science and form part of a complex reef structure for marine life to colonize and inhabit whilst increasing biomass on a grand scale. All of the sculptures are made from specialized materials used to promote coral life.

History

The museum was formed in 2009 by Roberto Díaz Abraham, then President of the Cancún Nautical Association and Jaime González Cano, Director of the National Marine Park. The project began with just three sculptures, 'The Dream Collector', 'Man on Fire' and 'The Gardener of Hope'. The museum was officially opened in November 2010.

Exhibits

The museum is divided into two galleries: Salon Manchones and Salon Nizuc. Salon Manchones is eight meters deep and suitable for both divers and snorkelers. Salon Nizuc is four meters deep and only permitted for snorkeling.

Conservation

The sculptures are made from pH-neutral marine concrete and are designed to become artificial reefs. The sculptures are placed in areas of the reef system that have been previously damaged or are vulnerable to damage. The aim is to draw tourists away from the natural reefs, allowing them to recover and regenerate.

See also

• Artificial reef
• Marine conservation
• Underwater archaeology