An Overview Of Our Solution
Developing community co-management of Utila's fisheries through marine protected areas promotion, protection and education.
Who is this solution impacting?
Ecosystem
Océanos/Costas
Community Type
Suburbano
Additional Information
- Population Impacted:
- Continent: América del norte
Problem
Describe the problem
The project targets threats to marine resources by expanding already-implemented solutions that need further support, focusing on effective patrolling by community members, promoting bio-diverse MPAs as an important resource both ecologically and financially, raising awareness of current legislation, and providing community-based education on resource conservation, ecosystem interactions, and sustainable stewardship. Strengthening the community co-management model of governance will develop an increased awareness of sustainable fishing practices, an interest in preserving a diverse and abundant natural environment, and a trend towards adoption of alternative livelihoods that promote the responsible development of an increasing tourist market and provide prosperity for local Utilians
Biodiversity Impact
This proposal intends to increase current surveillance in order to deter illegal practices and re-establish healthy population dynamics. Currently, two guards and one captain run patrols of 4-6 hours daily at alternating times. Reports on illegal acts from community members also supplement these resources. While effective, the range of coverage between the MPA’s has stretched resources. Expanding and continuing this program will discourage irresponsible fishing practices, preserving a healthy population. In conjunction, boosting community participation and co-management to maintain the ecosystem’s services will strengthen our network of regulation and communication. A large, coherent group working towards a common goal will have positive long-term implications for ecosystem health. BICA has worked to promote our MPAs using TV programs, school presentations, visitors from universities, and increasing communication with dive centers. The development of the communal knowledge of the laws, functionality, and purposes of our protected areas is keystone in getting stakeholders involved in management, promoting a wider public awareness and diligence in protecting an asset that they come to see as their own. Developing local pride in the status of MPA’s will help bolster tourism in these areas, promoting a sustainable revenue and interest in keeping them pristine. We have also implemented environmental curriculum in schools around Utila gearing towards a greater understanding of the importance of ecosystem health and the practice of sustainability
Solution
A combination of effective enforcement and ongoing, widespread community education promotes the importance of biodiversity both financially and ecologically. Especially regarding regulated species, an awareness of established limits and legislation will protect them from exploitation, while education on biodiversity and sustainability will help the community understand its necessity. When moving towards a system of community co-management, long-term vision is necessary for the protection and recovery of biodiversity, as is the relation to livelihoods and tangible sources of income. As more locals see the potential the tourist dollar brings, increasing community interest will help protect both the sustainability of this income and the environment it depends on. Greater promotion of and education about our MPAs along with effective patrolling will help regulate overfishing and discourage destructive fishing practices like ƒ??ghost trapsƒ?? and netting among others, thus rehabilitating declining fish stocks and increasing biodiversity, providing a long-term financial resource. Our campaign to raise awareness of the threat posed by such invasive species as the lionfish and its promotion as a culinary alternative seeks to further public education on the threats our reef faces. Through education BICA focuses not only on an overview of the islandƒ??s ecosystems and their interrelation, including the coral reef, mangroves, sub-tropical forest, and flora and fauna. Understanding the interaction between these systems is crucial in preserving Utilaƒ??s unique natural environment. // The area of implementation in patrolling and management are marine protected areas Turtle Harbour- Rock Harbour at 812.99 hectares and Raggedy Cay-Southwest Cay at 2,749.94 hectares. The areas of implementation for promotion and environmental education are Utila town and the Utila cays, a combined populated area of 56 hectares.
Replicability
How many years has your solution been applied? 2 years // Have others reproduced your solution elsewhere? No // Surveillance of the Turtle Harbour-Rock Harbour and Raggedy Cay- Southwest Cay areas are currently done 6 times a week, twice a day, for about 6 hours a day. The times are staggered to avoid predictability and special trips to respond to community-based reports of illegal activity are performed. For each day our guards fill out a form documenting conditions, areas supervised, and types of activities encountered, noting descriptions of boats, equipment, and party numbers when illegal activities are suspected. In the case of species recovery, there is a record of the name of the species, the amount, the size, and the place where they were deposited. This information later on goes to a database for analysis to interpret the success of the patrols and frequency of activities going on in a given area. In MPA promotional activities we analyze the resources and amount of media available to the general public, using the implementation of any given program as an indicator of success. Posters of regulations, video programs, and other information about the protected areas are followed up by surveys from different groups gauging general knowledge about the areas and their regulations. Our environmental education program is outlined at the beginning of each year with the participation of the teachers. We judge the effectiveness of our education programs based on the overall completion of the plan at the end of the school term and the amount of planned workshops and themes accomplished, as well as the number of participants.
Human Well Being and Livelihood Impact
At 8,000 residents and growing, Utila is experiencing increasing pressure on the environment. Education is key in providing a shift in the current short-term economic mentality of the daily fisher and showing a tangible connection between biodiversity, healthy fish stocks, and the ability of fisherman to provide. Many fishermen have the simple aim to feed their families, and take what is available from a decreasing fish stock to do so, perpetuating a problem that has dire implications for longevity. With increasing obedience to MPA regulations and educated local fishermen demanding so from their communities, Utilians will realize long-term benefits that a healthy reef system provides. Education and promotion of MPAs will display alternative livelihoods as an increasingly viable option in a community experiencing an ever-increasing tourist influx. Protection through patrolling and increased community co-management will allow tourists to enjoy a better quality of diving or snorkeling, while increased communication with and education of the fishing community will present the opportunity for fishermen to pair existing skills with the responsible development of tourism on the island (i.e. fishing charters, island tours, etc.), providing prosperous alternatives while alleviating pressure on fish stocks, the reef, and other intertwined systems. In a community where many livelihoods depend on the abundance of nature, we must develop a communal interest in sustaining biodiversity, creating a better distribution of benefits among the population inherent from a healthy ecosystem // Local institutions involved in governance include a management agreement among NGOs and central government: Bay Islands Conservation Association Utila Chapter (BICA), Governmental Forestry Institute of Conservation and Protected Area (ICF), Municipality of Utila. So far, governance has been executed by BICA with the involvement of the municipality community members and preventative police. The organization has implemented a shift from conventional methods to rely more on interactive governance and a community co-management model, creating a larger and more responsive framework for protection based on community principles and values developed through education, communication, and coordination. With this philosophy BICA hopes to develop and long-lasting, sustainable system of protection with a shared responsibility and interest in the marine protected areas.