Who We Are
CINDAQ
Surfacing Vital Knowledge
Mission
El Centro Investigador del Sistema Acuífero de Quintana Roo A.C. (CINDAQ) facilitates research, promotes education and supports the conservation of the natural and cultural resources associated with the cenotes and underground rivers of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Vision
Our vision is for the establishment of a regional model of sustainable tourism and development that serves as an example for other similar areas.
About us
Our primary dive team has more than 70 years of combined experience exploring, mapping and studying the underground rivers of this area. We have performed over 15,000 dives which translates into tens of thousands of hours of valuable experience and lessons learned both above and below the water. Our goal is to use our expertise to further the knowledge of the extent of these caves. We do this by incorporating current technology to aid us in locating, mapping and documenting the caves. With the information that we are able to generate we can help direct and coordinate scientific study of the aquifer and in turn use that information to educate the public at large.
Meet the Team
Sam Meacham
Originally from Austin, Texas, Sam remains committed to understanding the complex dynamics of the Yucatán Peninsula’s karst aquifer, as well as the people affected by it. He earned a Master’s Degree in Science in Natural Resources with a focus on geospatial science in 2012 from the University of New Hampshire.
- 25 Years professional diving experience
- More than 3500 dives in underwater caves
- GUE Fundamentals Instructor
- GUE Cave 2 Diver
- GUE Tech 2 Diver
- GUE RB80
- Rebreather Diver
- GUE Cave
- Cartography Diver
- Nautical Archeology Society Award in Maritime Archaeology
- Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Archaeology Field School 2012
Fred Devos
Fred is passionate about teaching safe cave diving and exploring the flooded caves of this area. Originally from Stratford, Ontario, Fred has lived and worked in the Yucatan Peninsula since 1996. He has been active in cave exploration in this area particularly in Sistema Ox Bel Ha and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Fred is particularly passionate about telling the story of the region’s cave whether with maps or on film.
- More than 25 Years professional diving experience
- More than 5000 dives in underwater caves all over the world
- GUE Fundamentals Instructor / Instructor Evaluator
- GUE Cave 1, 2 Instructor
- GUE Tech 2 Diver
- GUE RB80 Rebreather Diver
- GUE DPV1 & DPV Cave Instructor
- GUE REC 1 & 3 Instructor
- GUE Cave Cartography Instructor
- Nautical Archeology Society Award in Maritime Archaeology
Julien Fortin
Julien is originally from France but has lived throughout Europe, Africa, and India for the past 20 years. His professional background spans from engineering and sustainable development to information technology, languages, and intercultural communication, including the publication of several books and articles related to diving, traveling, history, and philosophy.
Julien is committed to exploring, documenting, and collecting information related to the underwater cave systems of Mexico, as well as all scientific, cultural, ecological, and community topics related to them.
- 10 Years professional diving experience
- More than 3000 dives all over the world
- GUE Fundamentals Instructor
- GUE Cave DPV / Tech 1 Diver
- TDI/IANTD Stage Cave Instructor
- PADI Tec Instructor Trainer
Christophe Le Maillot
Chris is a dedicated diving educator and explorer. Originally from Brittany, France, Chris has lived and worked in the Yucatan Peninsula since 1996. He has been active in cave exploration in this area particularly in Sistema Ox Bel Ha and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
- 25 Years professional diving experience
- More than 5000 dives in underwater caves all over the world
- GUE Fundamentals Instructor / Instructor Evaluator
- GUE Cave 1, 2, 3 Instructor / Instructor Evaluator
- GUE Tech 2 Diver
- GUE RB80 Rebreather Instructor
- GUE DPV1 & DPV Cave Instructor / Instructor Evaluator
- GUE Sidemount Instructor
- GUE REC 1 & 3 Instructor
- Nautical Archeology Society Award in Maritime Archaeology
Daniel Ponce Taylor
Daniel is an avid traveler, explorer and lover of all outdoor adventures. With a background in marine biology and having lead conservation expeditions in Costa Rica, Mexico, Fiji and Australia, Daniel brings a wealth of field and management experience to the team. With 15+ years experience as a senior manager in international NGOs and non for profits, Daniel brings critical experience in setting up, managing and running scientific, diving and community development expeditions and projects in remote and protected locations around the world.
Daniel focuses on consolidating existing and new underground river exploration, science and education projects, and contributes to the overall consolidation of CINDAQ as a regional reference in those areas.
- Experienced PADI Dive Master
- EFR Instructor Trainer
- DAN Diving Emergency Management Provider Instructor
- TDI Into to Cave Diver
- Master Degree in Sustainable Management of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems from the University of Cadiz, Spain.
A bit of History
They support us
- The Summit Foundation
- The Nature Conservancy
- The National Geographic Society Waitt Grants Program
- The Texas State Aquarium
- The Science Museum of Long Island
- Texas State University
- The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
- Alltournative SA de CV
- The Mayakoba Classic
- Aguakan
- DroneDeploy
- The Travel Foundation
- The Strauss Family Foundation
- SUEX
- Halcyon Dive Equipment
- D3 Diving
- Global Underwater Explorers
- Zero Gravity Dive Center
We are extremely grateful for all the past and continuing support we have received from these institutions and our private donors.
Our efforts have been featured on numerous documentary films from the BBC, National Geographic, PBS/NOVA, NHK and CNN International and in print as well.
