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The Sian Ka???an Biosphere Reserve (SKBR) is one of the sites in Quintana Roo where small, science-based NGOs have begun to negotiate and collaboratively design a network of no-take zones (NTZs) with three fishing cooperatives in response to the decline of fisheries in the Mexican Caribbean and of the health of the Mesoamerican Reef. This study ana...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... on which NTZs to implement had not been reached by Vigia Chico fishers. Because of the larger cooperative’s size (in comparison to Cozumel and Azcorra) and the difficulty of presenting the initiative to all the cooperative members, the NGOs had to individually approach cooperative members who had lobster fields along the reef to explore the possibility of them donating these sections as NTZs. NGOs identified at least nine reef zones within lobster fields and approached owners to discuss this possibility (Figure 6). By the time this research was conducted, NGOs reported that at least five field owners were willing to donate their areas and the rest where required further negotiations. Additionally, the central bay area was proposed by some fishers as a possible NTZ to be negotiated amongst all the cooperative members (Guzman, ...
Context 2
... in this section move away the more general perspective measured in the previous section, into the fishers’ ability to identify proposed NTZs within their concessions, how valuable they think these sites will be as NTZs, if they have felt part of the cooperative’s decision -making process to establish these zones and who they think should be in charge of enforcing them ( Table 1: Objective B) . In assessing the fishers’ perspectives on these issues there is an attempt to understand each cooperative’s level of involvement and sense of ownership over the NTZ stra tegy. What percentage of the cooperative is able to identify the NTZs that they will be involved in implementing, monitoring and enforcing? Why have they chosen these areas? Is it because they are ecologically valuable and viable as NTZs? Or is it because giving these areas does not threaten their fishing activities and as a result they are easy to agree upon? Do they feel they have been part of a process to establish NTZs that will require their help to be enforced? What aspects within each cooperative’s i nternal decision-making processes have facilitated or challenged NTZ selection? Who do they perceive should be responsible for enforcement of these areas and why? As mentioned previously, by the time this research was conducted, each cooperative had selected a different number of NTZs in their concessions, with different ecological characteristics. The Cozumel cooperative had agreed to implement ten small reef NTZs and one over the Niluc mangrove forest (Figure 4). Azcorra had agreed to establish a NTZ on a section of the internal bay area, another encompassing the Canche Balam lagoon and NGOs were in the process of negotiating a reef zone along the southern coast of the reserve, near the lighthouse (Figure 5). Finally, in Vigia Chico no zones had been formally selected, but a NTZ within the bay area was being negotiated, as well as small zones along the reef within individually owned lobster fields (Figure 6). To the questions “Do you know which areas have or are being selected as NTZs in your concession area? Can you identify them in this map ?” (Table 1: Objective B1) all 89 fishers responded and pointed to areas. Fishers properly identified: 1) All proposed areas; 2) Most proposed areas; 3) ...
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Citations
... The program registered percentages for each response category. Fishers 0 responses to interview questions were tallied for all cooperatives combined and by individual cooperative (see [48] for detailed information about fishers 0 responses and coding). (Table 2). ...
In response to fisheries decline in the Mexican Caribbean and continuing deterioration of the Mesoamerican Reef, conservation NGOs have begun to negotiate and collaboratively design a network of no-take zones (NTZs) with three fishing cooperatives in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (SKBR), among other places along the coast of Quintana Roo. Spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) is the target of the main fishery within cooperative concessions. Fishers are uniquely positioned to enforce and monitor NTZs and evaluate their effectiveness. This study analyzes fishers' perceptions as indicators of social acceptance of NTZs, and identifies facilitating factors and challenges of the community-based process. Consistent with similar studies, responses of fishers (89 out of a population of 124) to a semi-structured interview showed that perceptions of NTZs largely reflect fishers' concerns and interests. A high proportion of fishers accurately identified main NTZ objectives of regulation, conservation and economic improvement, as well as NTZ locations. Further, fishers cared about ecosystem sustainability and, because NTZs would not significantly limit their main economic activity, endorsed the initiative while expecting additional benefits. Declining trends in lobster catch influenced a perceived need for NTZs. Major concerns were that illegal fishers would reap NTZ benefits and that economic impacts and benefits were uncertain. Most fishers found the decision-making process inclusive, were willing to take responsibility for enforcing NTZs and believed people leading the process were trustworthy. Differences in endorsement of NTZs among cooperatives points to the importance of understanding fishers’ incentives to collaborate, and the leadership and organizational dynamics which shape participatory processes. This analysis highlights challenges in advancing NTZs in complex ecological, socio-economic and regulatory contexts. It underscores the need for community-based processes that transcend understanding of conservation measures but also invests in sustainable, operative and trustful working relationships, as well as the urgency of interdisciplinary approaches in ensuring effective design and implementation of this relatively new fishery management tool.
