Improving MPA Management Effectiveness

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Site Overview Location Information Goals and Accomplishments Site Management Other Site Evaluations and Research Contact Information and Web Links
Site Overview
General description of site: Located along the south coast of Solidaridad Municipality and the entire coastline of Felipe Carillo Puerto Municipality, in the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Biosphere Reserve as a legal entity designated by the Comisión Nacional de Areas Protegidas Naturales (CONAP), -- a decentralized body of the Federal Government. Approximate population: 800 permanent and 200 temporary residents in the buffer zone along the coast and 30,000 in 3 villages and 7 communities in the surrounding area (outside the Reserve). Fishing is the most important income earning activity and the majority of the inhabitants within the Area are fishermen. The Caribbean spiny lobster is the main catch (75%), it sells for approximately US $15 per kilo, with an average yearly capture of 80 tons over the last 11 years, the majority of which was exported to the United States and Japan. Use of the coastal zone for tourism purposes is the main reason for the long-term conservation plans for the Reserve, as it strongly competes as an economic alternative in the areas of: sport fishing, wildlife observatory, snorkeling, nature walks, camping, kayaking, scientific tourism and as a beach. Date of establishment: January 20, 1986 Area (Km²): 6,000 Size of site (S <= 20Km²; M = 20 - 2000Km²; L >= 2000Km²): Large Ecosystem type/main ecological features: Terrestrial and marine (note: platform shelf) Description of special resources; important ecological features; reason for establishing a protected area: Coral reef and platform with a length of 120km and depth of 60m towards the Caribbean Sea, it is part of the second largest coral reef in the world Nine different kind of vegetation and three aquatic habitats 1/3 marine zone, including a 120 km coral reef barrier, two big bays and marine platform 1/3 wetlands (coastal lagoons, grasslands, mangrove, swamps, and hardwood hummocks) and flooded forest 1/3 tropical forest
Location Information
Geographic coordinates (lat/long): 1905' - 2006'N and 8730' - 8758'W between km. 1 to 50 along the south coast of Solidaridad Municipality and the entire coastline of Felipe Carillo Puerto Municipality Nearest major city: Located in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Nearest major cities include: Cancun, Carrillo Puerto Region: Mesoamerican Caribbean
Goals and Accomplishments
Goals and objectives of MPA: Guarantee the physical integrity of the area Promote reasonable use of the natural resources Foster social integration Promote social participation and environmental education Secure financing for permanent and continuous operation of the area Site accomplishments to date: Design and application of the Public Use Program: planning and regulating aquatic and recreate activities 12 years monitoring the coral reef Sustainability of fisheries (spiny lobster mainly) by the application of regulation and appropriate technology Due to the application of the Prevention and Fight of Fires program, we reduced 100% of forest fires Physical integrity of the area has been guaranteed through inspection and vigilance
Site Management
Management objective: Multiple Type of management structure: Conventional (federal government) Challenges of site management: Uncontrolled growth of tourism development Inadequate waste disposal bins Oceanic waste Use of unconventional fishing gear which impacts negatively Over-fishing of commercial marine species Does a management plan exist? Yes, but currently under review. Summary of main aspects of management plan: Conservation Sustainable development Public use Scientific research and monitoring Administration Main stakeholders involved: Advisory council: Governor of the State (Honorary President) Executive President Technical Secretary (Director of the Sian Ka÷an Biosphere Reserve) President of Municipalities of Solidaridad and Carrillo Puerto Representatives from research and academic institutions, NGOs, social organizations, owners and from every sector related with the area.
Other Site Evaluations and Research
Description of any other site evaluations to date: 2002: Measuring Protected Area Management Effectiveness (Cifuentes, et al., 2000). Includes: Tehcnical staff of the Reserve; Strengths, weaknesses, opporunities and threats; Action Plan: activities and budget; Results will be integrated in the Management Plan Listing of current/recent research activities: A compilation of current research efforts is underway.
Contact Information and Web Links
Main Contact(s) Information: Ileana Solares-Leal Project Leader Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Blvd. Kukulean Km. 4.8 Hotel Zone Cancun, Quintara Roo, Mexico Ph/Fax: + 52 998 849-7554 e-mail: isolares@conanp.gob.mx Other Contact Information: Alfredo Arellano Guillermo Director, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Link to pilot site Web page or related Web pages: http://www.conanp.gob.mx http://coccytac.ibecmx.org/ (top)

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, Mexico