Costa Mar faces boycott threat over environmental disclosure row

A coalition of forty-seven eco-tourism operators, representing more than twelve thousand guest rooms across Costa Mar and Oriente Moderno, has issued a formal statement demanding the release of an environmental impact study on reef damage caused by shipping traffic through the region's waters. The operators, who collectively market Costa Mar as a pristine conservation destination, say they cannot in good conscience book guests for 2027 until they know the true cost of the shipping lanes that traverse the region.

The study, commissioned by the Federal Hydro Authority and the Costa Mar Marine Ministry in early 2025, examined the cumulative impact of container traffic on coral health, fish nurseries, and water quality in three key reef zones. The findings were delivered to the regional government in July but have not been made public. Governor Solomon Adeyemi's office has said only that the report is "under review" and will be released "when appropriate."

The eco-tourism boycott threat strikes at the heart of Costa Mar's economic identity. The region's dive operations, snorkeling tours, and nature lodges generated 89 million florins in revenue last year, accounting for roughly thirty-two percent of regional GDP. A significant drop in international bookings would ripple through employment, tax revenue, and the region's ability to fund conservation programmes.