{"id":9940,"date":"2025-12-19T11:39:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T18:39:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savingoursharksfoundation.org\/?p=9386"},"modified":"2026-03-04T09:02:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T16:02:05","slug":"sirenas_del_paraiso_2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/sirenas_del_paraiso_2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Mermaids of Paradise 2025: Kab Xok Cooperative Sustainable Tourism Award"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Mermaids of Paradise 2025 \u2013 Kab Xok Cooperative wins Sustainable Tourism Award<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Masters of the Sea from the Kab Xok Cooperative were awarded in the category <strong>Sustainable Tourism<\/strong> during the Municipal Tourism Award <em>\u201cMermaids of Paradise 2025\u201d<\/em>, a recognition that marks a historic moment for<a href=\"https:\/\/isla-mujeres.net\/\"> Isla Mujeres<\/a> and for those who have opted for a more humane, responsible tourism model aligned with the conservation of the marine environment.<\/p>\n<p>This award, organized by the <a href=\"https:\/\/page.islamujeres.gob.mx\/\">Municipal Government of Isla Mujeres<\/a>\u00a0 headed by the mayor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/soyateneadeisla\/?hl=en\"><strong>Atenea G\u00f3mez Ricalde<\/strong><\/a>, celebrated his <strong>First edition on December 9, 2025<\/strong>, recognizing individuals, companies, and projects that contribute positively to the economic, social, and environmental development of the destination. In total, the following awards were given: <strong>12 categories<\/strong>, honoring both tourism pioneers on the island and innovative initiatives that are redefining the future of the sector.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kabxok.com\/\">Kab Xok Cooperative<\/a> She was nominated and awarded thanks to her activity <strong>Shark Safari<\/strong>, A snorkeling experience with sharks in the open sea has become a benchmark for sustainable tourism in the Mexican Caribbean. This activity, held in the waters off Isla Mujeres, allows visitors from all over the world to interact respectfully with pelagic species, promoting environmental education, citizen science, and the conservation of sharks, key animals for the balance of the oceans.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"108\" data-end=\"321\">What makes it unique <strong data-start=\"129\" data-end=\"156\">Shark Safari by Kab Xok<\/strong> It&#039;s not just the experience on the water, but the conservation model that supports it: the <strong data-start=\"246\" data-end=\"277\">Saving Our Sharks Foundation<\/strong> and his <strong data-start=\"283\" data-end=\"318\">Isla Mujeres Shark Initiative<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"323\" data-end=\"675\">Since 2021, the Foundation has guided and trained shark fishermen in their transition from fishing to conservation, supporting them through a profound change after generations dedicated to this extractive activity. Thus, the <strong data-start=\"545\" data-end=\"591\">Masters of the Sea from the Kab Xok Cooperative<\/strong> They decided to transform their relationship with the ocean and become its guardians.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"677\" data-end=\"884\">Today, these Masters of the Sea are <strong data-start=\"709\" data-end=\"767\">guides, protectors and spokespeople for marine conservation<\/strong>, demonstrating that change is possible when local knowledge is combined with science and environmental education.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"886\" data-end=\"1156\">Thanks to the joint work of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/\"><strong data-start=\"920\" data-end=\"951\">Saving Our Sharks Foundation<\/strong><\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kabxok.com\/\"><strong data-start=\"957\" data-end=\"980\">Kab Xok Cooperative<\/strong>,<\/a> The Mexican Caribbean shows clear signs of recovery in its shark populations, reflected in the remarkable increase in sightings recorded in the area during 2025.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-9940 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"410\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/punta-sur.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/punta-sur.png 410w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/punta-sur-300x140.png 300w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/punta-sur-18x8.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 410px) 100vw, 410px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"374\" height=\"210\" src=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ray-diving.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ray-diving.png 374w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ray-diving-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ray-diving-18x10.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 374px) 100vw, 374px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"244\" height=\"272\" src=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rinos.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rinos.png 244w, https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rinos-11x12.png 11w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 244px) 100vw, 244px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>The Prize <em>\u201cMermaids of Paradise 2025\u201d<\/em> It seeks precisely to highlight these kinds of stories: projects that generate income, strengthen the social fabric, and, at the same time, protect the natural heritage of Isla Mujeres. In this sense, the recognition of Kab Xok represents much more than an award; it is a validation of a tourism model that puts people and nature at the heart of its decisions.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">This award also reinforces the municipal government&#039;s vision of consolidating Isla Mujeres as a leading sustainable tourism destination, where authentic experiences, environmental conservation, and community well-being go hand in hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The Kab Xok Cooperative, with its Shark Safari, is a clear example of how tourism can be a tool for positive transformation.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9432 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1-1-663x1024.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"426\" height=\"658\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kabxok.com\/pelagic-safari\">SHARK SAFARI INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS, CLICK HERE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mermaids of Paradise 2025 \u2013 Kab Xok Cooperative Wins Sustainable Tourism Award. The Masters of the Sea from the Kab Xok Cooperative were awarded in the Sustainable Tourism category at the Municipal Tourism Awards \u201cMermaids of Paradise 2025,\u201d a recognition that marks a historic moment for Isla Mujeres and for those who have committed to a more humane and responsible tourism model aligned with the conservation of the marine environment. This award, organized by the Municipal Government of Isla Mujeres, headed by Mayor Atenea G\u00f3mez Ricalde, celebrated its first edition on December 9, 2025, recognizing individuals, companies, and projects that contribute positively to the economic, social, and environmental development of the destination. A total of 12 categories were awarded, honoring both tourism pioneers on the island and innovative initiatives that are redefining the future of the sector. The Kab Xok Cooperative was nominated and awarded for its Shark Safari, an open-ocean snorkeling experience with sharks that has become a benchmark for sustainable tourism in the Mexican Caribbean. This activity, held in the waters off Isla Mujeres, allows visitors from around the world to interact respectfully with pelagic species, promoting environmental education, citizen science, and the conservation of sharks, key animals for the balance of the oceans. What makes Kab Xok&#039;s Shark Safari unique is not only the experience in the water, but also the conservation model that supports it: the Saving Our Sharks Foundation and its Isla Mujeres Shark Initiative. Since 2021, the Foundation has guided and trained shark fishermen in their transition from fishing to conservation, supporting them through a profound change after generations dedicated to this extractive activity. Thus, the Masters of the Sea of the Kab Xok Cooperative decided to transform their relationship with the ocean and become its guardians. Today, these Masters of the Sea are guides, protectors, and advocates for marine conservation, demonstrating that change is possible when local knowledge is combined with science and environmental education. Thanks to the collaborative work of the Saving Our Sharks Foundation and the Kab Xok Cooperative, the Mexican Caribbean is showing clear signs of recovery in its shark populations, reflected in the remarkable increase in sightings recorded in the area during 2025. The \u201cSirens of Paradise 2025\u201d Award seeks precisely to highlight these kinds of stories: projects that generate income, strengthen the social fabric, and, at the same time, protect the natural heritage of Isla Mujeres. In this sense, the recognition of Kab Xok represents much more than an award; it is a validation of a tourism model that puts people and nature at the center of its decisions. This award also reinforces the municipal government&#039;s vision of consolidating Isla Mujeres as a leading sustainable tourism destination, where authentic experiences, environmental conservation, and community well-being go hand in hand. The Kab Xok Cooperative, with its Shark Safari, is a clear example of how tourism can be a tool for positive transformation. For information and reservations for the Shark Safari, click here.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9941,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[141,85,83,142,61,143,144,145],"class_list":["post-9940","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-atenea-gomez-ricalde","tag-cooperativa-kab-xok","tag-fundacion-saving-our-sharks","tag-maestros-del-mar","tag-saving-our-sharks","tag-sirenas-del-paraiso","tag-sirenas-del-paraiso-2025","tag-turismo-sustentable"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9940","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9940"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9940\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9941"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9940"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9940"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.savingoursharks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9940"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}