Threats to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Igor Kontrec June 27, 2011 Picture taken from padi.com.
CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF THE MESOAMERICAN BARRIER REEF SYSTEMS PROJECT · PDF...
Transcript of CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF THE MESOAMERICAN BARRIER REEF SYSTEMS PROJECT · PDF...
CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF THE
MESOAMERICAN BARRIER REEF SYSTEMS PROJECT (MBRS)
TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL
PROGRESS REPORTS
REPORT No. 7
Reporting Period: July – December 2004
(Revised for Web Publishing)
Project Coordinating UnitCoastal Resources Multi-Complex Building
Princess Margaret DriveP.O. Box 93
Belize City Belize Tel: (501) 223-3895; 223-4561
Fax: (501) 223-4513 Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.mbrs.org.bz
SAM / MBRS
Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Systems Project Coordinating Unit
Coastal Resources Multicomplex Building,Princess Margaret Drive,
Belize City, Belize Tel: 501-22-33895 or 22-34561 Fax: 501-22-34513 E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mbrs.org.bz
BELIZE GUATEMALA HONDURAS MEXICO
MEMORANDUM OF TRANSMISSION FROM THE REGIONAL COORDINATOR
TO: Executive Secretary and Director General of the Environment, CCAD-SICA Manager of World Bank Project National MBRS Coordinator in Belize National MBRS Coordinator in Guatemala
National MBRS Coordinator in Honduras National MBRS Coordinator in Mexico
FROM: Noel D. Jacobs Regional Project Coordinator
SUBJECT: Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico Project No.: GE-P053349 TF: 027739
Seventh Technical and Financial Progress Report: July 1 – December 31, 2004
DATE: January 31, 2005
I hereby enclose the Seventh MBRS Technical and Financial Progress Report for the period from July 1 – December 31, 2004. This Report reflects progress in the implementation of the Annual Work Plan (AWP) and the Budget approved for the period from July 1 2004 to June 30 2005.
We are willing to answer any questions and / or comments about the content of this Seventh MBRS Technical and Financial Progress Report
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List of Acronyms
AWP Annual Work Plan
BEMAMCCOR Belize Mexico Alliance for the Management of Coastal Resources
CBWS Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
CCAD Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo
CICESE Centro de Investigación Científica y de Estudios Superiores de Ensenada
CINVESTAV Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN
CORAL Coral Reef Alliance
CZMA/I Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute
ECOSUR El Colegio de la Frontera Sur
GEF Global Environment Facility
HMRI Healthy Mesoamerican Reef Initiative
ICRAN International Coral Reef Action Network
INVEMAR Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras
IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature
MBRS Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Systems
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MPA Marine Protected Area
MUC Multiple Use Center
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
PACT Protected Areas Conservation Trust
PCU Project Coordinating Unit
PDF Project Development Fund
PNAX Xcalak Reef National Park
PRIMER Plymouth Routines in Multivariate Ecological Research
PROARCA Regional Environment Project for Central America
PWG Policy Working Group
PY Project Year
RBD Regional Board of Directors
REIS Regional Environmental Information System
RPI Research and Planning, Inc.
SEMARNAT Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales – Mexico
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SMP Synoptic Monitoring Program
SPCMR Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve
TIDE Toledo Institute for Development and Environment
TNC The Nature Conservancy
ToRs Terms of Reference
TRIGOH Alianza Tri-nacional del Golfo de Honduras
TWG Technical Working Groups
UNDP United Nations Development Program
UNEP United Nations Environment Program
WRI World Resources Institute
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Contents
1.0. Executive Summary ……………………………………………………………………………. 1
2.0. Implementation of Project Components ………………….………………………………….. 3
2.1. Component I. Marine Protected Areas ………………………………………………. 3
2.1.1. Planning, Management and Monitoring……………………………………… 3
2.1.2. Institutional Strengthening ……………………………………………………. 5
2.2. Component II. Regional Environmental Information System
and Synoptic Monitoring ………………………………………………………………. 8
2.2.1. Regional Environmental Information System ………………………………. 8
2.2.2. Synoptic Monitoring Program. ………………………………………………… 10
2.3. Component III. Sustainable Use of the MBRS………………………………………. 14
2.3.1. Sustainable Fisheries …………………………………………………………. 14
2.3.2. Sustainable Tourism ………………………………………………………….. 16
2.4. Component IV. Environmental Education and Awareness ………………………… 18
2.4.1. Environmental Awareness Campaign ……………………………………….. 19
2.4.2. Formal and Informal Education……………………………………………….. 20
2.4.3. MBRS Indigenous Participation Plan ………………………………………….20
2.5. Component V. Project Administration …..…………………………………………….. 22
2.5.1. Disbursements …………………………………………………………………. 22
2.5.2. Procurement …………………………………………………………………….. 22
2.5.3. Regional Coordination………………………………………………………….. 23
3.0. Limitations in Project Implementation………… ……………………………………………….. 25
4.0. Activities for the Next Semester….. ……………………………………………………………. 26
Annexes:
1. Financial Statements
2. Procurement Reports
3. Project Monitoring Indicators
4. List of Project Assets up to Date
5. Agreement of the First Mesoamerican Fishermen Congress
6. Agreements on Common Enforcement in the Geographic Area of the MBRS
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1.0. Executive Summary
MBRS Project implementation from July to December 2004 was quite successful, consistent with the
pattern established during the previous period. Highly visible achievements and technical and political
products continued to be delivered as well as long term processes begun during previous Project Years.
These achievements were only possible because of the exceptional efforts of administrative personnel and
persistent follow-up by technical staff, the National MBRS Coordination, and the support of all our partners
in the MBRS region.
The most visible achievements include the building of the Multiple Use Center in Utila Turtle Harbor in
Honduras, the 4th Meeting of the MBRS Southern Transboundary Commission, the preparation of the Park
Ranger Manual for Marine Protected Areas, the Training Course on Public Use and Tourism in Marine
Areas, the Training Course on the Use and Maintenance of Renewable Energy in Marine Protected Areas,
training on the use of the REIS in Guatemala and Mexico, the production of the REIS Users’ Manual,
functional changes on the web site, the regional training of people involved in the SMP, field monitoring
under the SMP, data entry from the SMP to the REIS, the continuation of fish aggregation site monitoring,
training for fishermen in alternative ways of living, the exchange between fishermen, the hiring of technical
assistance for the tourism component, the establishment of an alliance with the ICRAN-MAR Project to
prepare the Catalogue of Exemplary Practices for Marine Coastal Tourism, the distribution of the
institutional video, the transmission of the Project’s video spots, the distribution of dissemination material
including the Project’s bi-annual newsletter, and several training workshops on education.
The Project achieved a high level of coordination with other projects, partners and initiatives in the region
during the last six months, including a Memorandum of Understanding between the Project and
CINVESTAV; an important alliance with the Summit Foundation in which the Project will receive support for
strengthening synoptic monitoring; joint efforts with the World Bank, the WWF, the Summit Foundation and
Pedigree Consulting to launch the ‘Healthy Mesoamerican Reef Ecosystem Initiative’; an alliance with
NOAA and Tufts University to carry out a comprehensive analysis of transboundary basins in the MBRS
region; the launching of the Tulum + 8 Initiative in which we will join our efforts with those of 12 other
agencies to produce an updated plan for the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System which is expected to be
adopted in December 2005.
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Coordination with Project partners such as the World Bank and the CCAD has progressed without any
delay or setback during this reporting period. In follow-up to the previous report, the MBRS Project has
sent a formal request to the CCAD for suspending the UNDP’s services to the MBRS Project.
Once again Project staff have demonstrated a high level of competence in the administrative execution of
the Project. Furthermore, a Procurement and Disbursement Coordinator (PDC) was hired on December 1,
2004. With this new member on the MBRS team, internal control mechanisms for procurement and
disbursement processes can be improved. By the end of December 2004, the Project had disbursed over
6.2 million dollars. By the end of June 2005 it is estimated that the amount of funds disbursed will be 7.9
million dollars.
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2.0 Implementation of Project Components
2.1. Component I: Marine Protected Areas
2.1.1. Planning, Management and Monitoring.
2.1.2. Institutional Strengthening.
Component No. 1: Marine Protected Areas
Budget approved for period July 2004 to June 2005: US$512,800
Budget executed at 31 December 2004: US$210,921
Percent budget executed at 31 December 2004: 41.13%
Component Summary
During the three and a half years of Project execution, this component has focused on the 15 priority MPAs, to
which another area was incorporated last year, Cayos Cochinos in Honduras, and a request was received from
the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources of Guatemala to incorporate the Manatee Conservation
Reserve, Chocón Machacas in Río Dulce, Guatemala; in these Protected Areas actions have been taken to
strengthen planning processes, implement effective management, monitor management, formulate regional
policy, hold training workshops, publish training manuals, and provide equipment and infrastructure.
This is why one of the main objectives of this component has been to directly strengthen management
effectiveness and protection of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), with special emphasis on the sustainability of
conservation actions.
Furthermore the installed capacity of governmental and non governmental organizations involved in managing
MPAs has been supported through the training of their staff in workshops and courses linked to the above
topics, publishing and disseminating the manuals that have resulted from the courses in order to produce a
multiplying effect.
Activities and Achievements during this Period:
Sub-component A: Planning, Managing and Monitoring the MPAs
The most significant achievements of the Project in this sub-component during the second semester of 2004
are summarized below:
1. The sixth progress report was prepared for the period from January to June 2004, making it possible to
verify progress in relation to the Annual Operation Plan and with this vision to strengthen those
activities requiring further implementation.
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2. Activities were coordinated for the presentation and inauguration of the Multiple Use Center (MUC) of
the Marine Reserve and Wildlife Refuge of Utila Turtle Harbor, in Honduras, which took place in
December 2004, according to plan.
Actions were taken to make up for the setbacks in building the MUC in the Xcalak Reef National Park
(PNAX) in Mexico in order to conclude it since it is in its final phase and is expected to be finished by
the end of March 2005. Furthermore, follow-up was given to repairs to the MUC in the Multiple Use
Area of Río Sarstún in Guatemala.
For the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve, after various efforts it has been possible to legally define the
property and boundaries of the land designated for building the MUC, and arrangements are being
made to start work in January 2005.
We have received a proposal from the Fisheries Department for building an interpretative trail in the
Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park; building is planned to start in February 2005.
3. Coordination activities were carried out with the Central American Environmental Program (PROARCA)
for preparing the Manual on Monitoring Management Effectiveness, which emerged as a result of the
working meeting which defined the hybrid methodology based on the following documents: the MBRS
document of methodological recommendations for monitoring management effectiveness of the MPAs
(Tec. Doc No. 5), the Score Card developed by the World Bank, and the methodology developed by
PROARCA, which has been implemented in the majority of Central American countries.
During this period the final version of the manual was completed and we are coordinating details
related to the format with PROARCA for it to be published and presented in February.
4. As part of the process of strengthening installed capacities related to MPA planning and management,
the necessary follow-up was given to formulating 10 year Master Management Plans in the four
transboundary MPAs established. During this period the third public consultation for the Corozal Bay
Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS) was held and the final document is being prepared; the Master Plan for
managing the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve (SCMR) was finished and this document will be
presented to the Department of Fisheries for consideration and endorsement. The second public
consultation was also held for the Xcalak Reef National Park (PNAX) in Mexico and the first public
consultation for the Marine Reserve proposed for Omoa Baracoa in Honduras.
The on-site experts for CBWS and SCMR have concluded their tasks and corresponding payments
have been made; the expert for PNAX is pending final payment, which will be made when the report of
the third consultation is presented. In the case of Omoa-Baracoa only the first payment has been made.
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These public consultations have been very valuable, with broad participation from the communities and
local authorities, and this has made it possible, especially in the case of SCMR and CBWS, to have
agreed upon versions of the plans in their final phase and in the case of the PNAX we have achieved
better agreements on the products expected and their application by Park authorities.
The Master Plans make it possible to visualize trends and projections in terms such as strategies to
protect the most vulnerable resources, the sustainable management of visitors, income generation,
education and community relations programs, management effectiveness monitoring, all fundamental
elements which enable the definition of a long term management policy for the site.
5. With regard to the implementation of Management Plans, in December the executive version of the
Management Plan for the Special Protection Area of Punta de Manabique in Guatemala was
published.
The Management Plan for the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve in Mexico was updated and will be
published in January 2005. Communication has been maintained with the National Coordination Office
in Mexico for the purpose of facilitating the support requested by the Manatee Sanctuary in relation to
signs, the instructional version of the Management Plan and meetings for disseminating it.
6. In July the 4th Meeting of the Southern Transboundary Commission was held, including the General
Assembly of the TRIGOH and the Working Group on Extended Policies, which involved the
organization, invitations, list of participants, agenda and work methodology.
7. In October a meeting was held of the Working Group on Extended Policies for the purpose of designing
an Implementation Plan for the Policies selected and writing the standards or regulations for each
policy. The group was successful in producing a standards document and an Implementation Plan by
the end of the meeting.
8. In December the products described under number 7 were presented at the first Ministers’ Meeting for
implementing Transboundary Policies in the Gulf of Honduras, on the topics of Tourism, Fisheries and
Marine Protected Areas, concluding in the signing of agreements among the three Gulf countries:
Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.
Sub-component B: Institutional Strengthening
In order to support the installed capacity of governmental and non governmental organizations involved in MPA
management, training workshops and courses on the above topics have been held as part of this sub-
component.
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1. During this seventh semester efforts were made to formulate, edit and revise the Park Ranger Manual
for Marine Protected Areas, produced during the training workshop held in May 2004. The production of
the final version of the manual has been delayed due to the need for diagramming and incorporating
drawings, a situation which was not provided for by PROARCA / MPA who supervised the preparation
of the manual. The final version is now being printed and will be ready for publication at the end of
January 2005. The manual will be distributed and national training workshops will be held with the
manual and trained personnel available, together with the MBRS Project and UNEP-Jamaica.
2. A series of meetings was held and e-mails were exchanged with the team of experts in Protected Areas
of the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas, Yucatán Peninsula Region, Mexico, for the
purpose of coordinating the training course on Public Use and Tourism in the MPAs, to be given at the
Biological Station on the Island of Contoy. As a product of the coordination the necessary synergy was
established in order to run the course together, using the experience and installed capacities of the
CONANP technical team.
The course took place between October 25 and 29 2004 at the Biological Station on the Island of
Contoy with the participation of 28 delegates from the four MBRS countries; during the event 6
speakers presented different topics contained in the Work Program. Participants had the opportunity to
go round the premises of the Contoy Island National Park, including the different visitor services, and
they prepared Public Use Programs for the Protected Areas they represented which will be included in
the manual resulting from the workshop.
3. The first phase of the exchange among tourism service providers in MPAs was carried out; on this
occasion this was done together with CONANP in Mexico and staff from Holboxh and Yum Balam were
able to visit observation areas for the Whale Shark in the south of Belize with the support of the NGO
Friends of Nature, and for April 2005 a visit of personnel from Belize to Mexico has been planned to
complete the exchange of MPA personnel.
4. In coordination with CONANP, Yucatan Peninsula, specifically with the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere
Reserve, a training course was given on the use and maintenance of renewable energy systems in the
Banco Chinchorro Biological Station. This course will make it possible for MPA staff to efficiently use
and maintain the solar energy system in the Multiple Use Centers.
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5. Follow-up was given to the proposal for the coastal Bi-National Biological Corridor between Omoa in
Honduras and Punta de Manabique in Guatemala during the 4th Meeting of the Southern
Transboundary Commission and a meeting was proposed to define the Action Plan; unfortunately it
was not agreed on in accordance with MBRS guidelines and two meetings were held without MBRS
participation, just with the members of the Biological Corridor and the National Coordination of
Honduras and Guatemala.
Two different proposals have been reviewed for the Action Plan, but neither complies with the original
expectations.
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2.2 Component II. Regional Environmental Information System and Synoptic Monitoring
2.2.1: Creation and Implementation of a Regional Environmental Information System (REIS)
2.2.2: Synoptic Monitoring Program (SMP)
Component No. II A: Regional Environmental Information System
Budget approved for period July 2004 to June 2005: US$932,400
Budget executed at 31 December 2004: US$122,921
Percent budget executed at 31 December 2004: 13.18%
Summary of the Component
This sub-component supports the global objectives of the Project for dealing with the need to create, manage,
analyze and disseminate scientific and socio-economic information for decision makers, managers and users
of the resources for the purpose of improving the management of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. The
primary tasks in this component are to implement an environmental information system with nodes in Belize,
Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, and establish a virtual information center which will provide information
about the Project and the reefs, all accessible through the World Wide Web (WWW). The products of this sub-
component will serve as tools to support the other components in the management and dissemination of
environmental and socio-economic information.
During the third year of the Project the main goals of this sub-component were achieved. These included: the
installation of the Regional Data Communications Network in July 2004, the consolidation of relations with
information agencies as node agencies in each MBRS country with the signing of Memorandums of
Understanding and the installation of computer equipment and telecommunications services for the node
agencies, the implementation of the Regional Environmental Information System (REIS), training of REIS
users at the regional and national levels, and the broad distribution of MBRS information in electronic form. So
efforts during the fourth year focused on consolidating these achievements and ensuring the successful
application of the REIS in managing data collected under the Synoptic Monitoring Program (SMP).
Activities and Achievements during the Period
During this period the Project did the field surveying for collecting data under the SMP, resulting in the first set
of data for the SMP in the region. The implementation and use of the REIS has been parallel to the
implementation of the SMP. From July 2004 to December 2004 the Project continued to train users at the
national level in Guatemala and Mexico and produced the Design Report and the User Manual in English and
Spanish. The main activities and achievements between July and December 2004 are described below:
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1. From July 7 to 9, 2003 the Information Specialist received training in REIS management, an
achievement which represented compliance with some of the final results of the consultancy on the
Design and Implementation of a Regional Environmental Information System.
2. Training was continued for biologists on the use of the REIS, which began in February 2004. National
training workshops were held on the use of this data base in Guatemala from July 18 to 23 in
Guatemala City at the Del Valle University of Guatemala (UVG). The UVG is the node agency for the
Project in Guatemala and therefore provided logistical and technical support for these national
courses. They also provided the computer installations for these. Courses covered the use of modules
for coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass. Eleven users were trained in these workshops. The Project
used the opportunity to supervise the entry of data that users had collected in the field shortly before
the training course. So users immediately implemented the techniques learnt in the course for entering
the first real data in the data base. These courses concluded training on the use of the REIS for
biologists in Guatemala. However the Project is willing to support the biologists in each country with
additional training and/or practical supervision in order to guarantee the quality and integrity of data.
3. From September 6 to 8 a national training workshop was held in Mexico on the use of the REIS in the
module for mangroves and seagrass for 8 biologists. Between October 21 and 23, 11 biologists were
trained in Mexico on the use of the REIS for coral reefs. The node agency of the Project in Mexico, the
University of Quintana Roo (UQROO), provided technical and logistical support for these courses
which took place in the computer installations of the UQROO. Just as in Guatemala, users took
advantage of the opportunity to enter sets of data with the technical support of the Information
Specialist and the Environmental Monitoring Specialist of the MBRS Project.
4. The process of updating the appearance of the web site was continued, a task which was started at
the beginning of 2004, by implementing new templates with new banners, navigation bars and
graphics for the data base pages and other types of pages for the site. The home pages in English
and Spanish were improved with a dynamic section called “From the Reef” which presents the most
recent news and new additions to the Information Center. This section is changed each month or even
more frequently. The success of the new design in attracting more users was demonstrated by a
statistical analysis of web page users which showed a significant increase in the numbers of users and
also that the majority of visitors to the site downloaded documents from the Information Center. The
total number of hits a month has increased from 16,449 in October 2003, to 52,094 in September
2004.
5. The web page was updated with news about Project activities, new technical and administrative
documents and announcements of job opportunities. It was in this global way that the Project has
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managed to widely disseminate information about its activities. More significantly, a new section,
called Political Results of the MBRS Project, was added to the Information Center. The Declaration of
Chetumal: Results of the First Fishermen’s Mesoamerican Congress and Common Application
Agreements for the MBRS Geographical Zone, two key results of the Project, were included in this
section of the Information Center. Furthermore the sixth Progress Report was added, as well as the
2004 – 2005 Annual Operation Plan and seven technical documents prepared and published by the
Project.
6. The Information Specialist attended a training course on Marxan Analysis in Belize City in November.
In this course Marxan methodology was taught as well as how to use the software to support decision
making related to designing a system of protected areas and achieving biodiversity objectives.
7. On behalf of the Project the Information Specialist continued to participate in the Clearing House
Mechanism Working Group for Belize and the Remote Sensing Working Group for the World
Bank/GEF Targeted Research Project on Coral Reefs. Participation in these efforts by organizations
or projects with similar interests is important for broadening the scope of the Project.
Sub-Component II B: Synoptic Monitoring Program (SMP)
Summary of the Sub-component:
The Synoptic Monitoring Program (SMP) of the MBRS is a long term environmental monitoring system
focusing on identifying local and regional problems. The generation of reliable information and data
management at the local and regional levels will make it possible to establish a solid base line which will lead
to the generation of proposals for management actions. These proposals will be the basis for decision making
with an integral perspective and for the purpose of promoting management actions which will have direct
repercussions on the conservation and sustainable use of the MBRS.
The vision of the SMP is for it to be a tool providing high quality information which will improve management
and decision making in the Mesoamerican barrier reef system and associated ecosystems. For this it is
essential to consider the processes which occur in the region over time and therefore the SMP should be a
long term flexible process which can expand coverage of ecosystems, species and geographical areas. It is a
specific monitoring program for regional problems, available in the internet for use by different actors in the
MBRS region.
Furthermore the information generated will make it possible to determine some environmental indicators for
measuring management effectiveness and/or the impact of management and conservation measures
implemented by the actors in the MBRS. It will also be possible to evaluate short, medium and long term
responses to the effects of human actions and natural phenomena in the environment.
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The SMP sub-component is made up of the following modules:
1. The ecology of coral reefs and associated ecosystems (coral communities, seagrass and mangroves).
2. Marine pollution.
3. Physical oceanography (development of oceanographical models for the region and the installation and
operation of current gages).
Activities and Achievements of the Period
Main activities and achievements between July and December 2004 include regional and national activities
related to the three main topics of the SMP.
Constant telephone and e-mail communication has been maintained between the national monitoring
coordinators and personnel from the different support agencies. There has also been close communication
with the national monitoring coordinators, support agencies and monitoring specialists from the PCU through
supervised monitoring activities in the four countries.
Through interaction with the national monitoring coordinators and support agencies the regional monitoring
process and training of staff has been continued. Training in theoretical and practical aspects of MBRS
methodology has continued, thus making it possible to continue to generate regional capacities able to carry
out monitoring in each country. This has been achieved through supervised monitoring activities in each
component in the different countries for the purpose of corroborating the standardization of the methodology
and identifying possible problems in implementation.
Continuing with the establishment of the base line for the SMP, from July to December 2004 as part of the
supervised monitoring process samples and SMP data were taken for coral communities, mangroves and
seagrass. Supervised monitoring activities included different modules and were developed in at least one
location for each of the four countries. The selection of the locations for supervised monitoring was done in
consultation with the national monitoring coordinators and participants from the different support agencies.
Supervised monitoring covered a total of 58 sites in 13 locations in the four countries. In Guatemala the
monitoring of seagrass, mangroves, coral and reef fish was implemented from June 28 to July 7, 2004. In
Honduras coral, reef fish and seagrass were monitored in Cayos Cochinos from July 10 to 14 and mangroves
from August 17 to 19, 2004. In Mexico seagrass and mangroves were monitored from July 20 to 30 2004, and
coral and reef fish from September 6 to 11 in the Xcalak Reef Reserve and from August 17 to 21 2004 in the
Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve.
Parallel to SMP activities Sub-component II A was developed: The Regional Environmental Information
System, REIS, through participation in training in the use and supervised entry of data in the modules on coral,
reef fish, seagrass and marine pollution. In Mexico a training course was held on the module on mangroves
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and seagrass from September 6 to 8 and on the module on coral and reef fish from October 21 to 23, 2004. In
Guatemala training on all modules was held from July 19 to 21. Furthermore, data entry for monitoring was
supervised in San Pedro, Belize on November 17, 2004.
With regard to the establishment of synergies and collaboration, progress was made through the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the MBRS Project and the Research and Advanced Studies
Center, CINVESTAV, Mexico. In this case the objectives include support in the SMP and collaboration in
mutually beneficial activities such as extending research in marine pollution and primary productivity developed
by CINVESTAV in the MBRS region. The task of preparing letters of understanding with other institutions
continues. Other collaboration started during this period includes Global Vision, the international organization
which carries out monitoring using the MBRS protocol in Pez Maya (Sian Ka’an Reefs) and Mahahual, Mexico.
In Belize collaboration was established with Friends of Nature, TIDE, Belize Audubon Society, TASTE and
SATIIM.
We participated in different meetings: the meeting on synergies of GEF projects with the CCAD, the
coordination meeting for the ICRAN MAR project, and the TRIGOH meeting of the commission of threatened
species.
With regard to consultancies in the MBRS Synoptic Monitoring component, the final report of the consultancy
on Physical Oceanography and Models, received at the end of 2003, was evaluated. Furthermore a meeting
was held with the consultant on July 16 2004. The points outstanding in the contract have been identified and
will be communicated to the consulting institution for conclusion. Moreover, ECOSUR researchers supported
the evaluation and implementation of the circulation models developed for the MBRS.
In relation to the agreement with the NOAA for the installation of a Coral Reef Early Warning System (CREWS)
a budget was obtained for providing and installing equipment and a field visit was programmed for evaluating
possible sites for installation.
Intense work has been done on the design and planning of an MBRS Symposium for 2005, Tulum + 8,
particularly with regard to the experts’ meeting programmed for March 2005.
We participated actively in “The Coral Reef Targeted Research & Capacity Building for Management Project
(“Targeted Research Initiative”)” of the GEF / World Bank. In this context we also participated actively in the
Recruitment Monitoring Workshop, held from November 29 to December 4 2004 in the Akumal Ecological
Center, Mexico. The workshop covered the topics of recruitment of coral, reef fish and lobster with the
participation of staff from the different agencies supporting MBRS synoptic monitoring in the four countries.
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Two requests for support have been received for developing theses on the synoptic monitoring program which
aim to contribute to the description of reefs on the Guatemalan coast, and in coordination with the students and
the monitoring coordinator the topics and objectives will be defined. In relation to the description of the reefs in
Guatemala, a trip was made from September 18 to 23 and in this survey some reef bleaching was located in
Punta Manabique, a depth probe was made, SMP data were taken and work was done on preparing a project
to describe the reefs on the Guatemalan coast including the thesis projects.
In collaboration with the Global Coral Reef Network and as part of the GCRN node responsibilities for the
Mesoamerican region, a chapter was prepared on the status of the reefs in the region (Chapter 18. Status of
Coral Reefs of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Systems Project Region, and Reefs of El Salvador, Nicaragua
and the Pacific Coasts of Mesoamerica) which forms part of a book Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2004
http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/coral-bleaching/scr2004/.
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2.3. Component No III: Promotion of Sustainable Use of MBRS Resources
2.3.1. Promotion of Sustainable Fisheries Management
2.3.2. Facilitation of Sustainable Marine Coastal Tourism
Component No. III: Sustainable Use of the MBRS
Budget approved for period July 2004 to June 2005: US$566,800
Budget executed at 31 December 2004: US$158,819
Percent budget executed at 31 December 2004: 28.02%
Summary of the Component
This component has the objective of promoting the introduction of new regional management policies and
tools, the dissemination of key information and the creation of the incentives necessary for users and
stakeholder groups in the search for patterns of sustainable use for MBRS resources.
It focuses mainly on knowledge, use and regulations related to fisheries resources, promoting the involvement
of coastal human communities in the management and conservation of these resources.
It also focuses on the promotion and development of environmentally sustainable tourism with the participation
of human communities seeking economic benefit from their participation, the generation of income for the
MPAs and the maintenance and improvement of the ecological and environmental conditions of the sites.
Activities and Achievements during the Period
Sub-Component A: Promotion of the Management of Sustainable Fisheries:
In the process of focusing on some of the main causes that have reduced fisheries in the region and in the
search for the sustainable use of fisheries resources, this sub-component has concentrated on the following
activities during this fifth semester:
1. The monitoring protocol for fish aggregation sites and the document on the analysis of information
available for those sites is being printed. Belize has continued to monitor the sites and in February
2005 will complete the 12 months planned for, presenting the official report with the data collected in
March 2005. The three priority monitoring sites are Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park,
Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve and Lighthouse Reef. Mexico started monitoring in August 2004 in
the Xcalak Reef National Park, the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve and the Sian Ka’an
Biosphere Reserve.
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Furthermore, Guatemala presented a proposal for monitoring the reproduction cycles and sites of
anchovy in the Atlantic region of the country; after the relevant comments the final version was
presented and approved by the PCU and funds are being requested for starting the first monitoring
activity.
Honduras has presented two proposals which have not yet been accepted due to the large amounts
being requested; this sub-component has made relevant comments and recommendations for making
the proposals viable and we continue communication for defining the Work Plan.
2. From August 30 to September 2 the second training course was held for technical personnel who will
lead the monitoring of fish aggregation sites in Honduras. Thirteen persons were trained in practical
aspects, having the opportunity to observe aggregations directly. The course was held at the
Research Station of the Glovers Reef Marine Reserve in Belize and was led by staff from the
Department of Fisheries of Belize with the support of NGOs and fishermen.
3. The first phase of the exchange of fishermen was implemented during the week from August 10 to 13
with an average of 12 fishermen from the State of Quintana Roo visiting the Fishermen’s Cooperatives
in Belize; the visit was coordinated by the Department of Fisheries and run by Belize Fishermen’s
Cooperative Association (BFCA). Participants learned about different forms of organization and got to
know fisheries’ models, especially for lobster and conch.
4. New lots of equipment for diving, recreational fishing and canoeing were bought for training in
Alternative Ways of Living; these concluded satisfactorily both in the northern region organized by
Green Reef, and in the southern region organized by TIDE, with a total of 165 fishermen trained in:
diving, snorkeling, canoeing, nature guides, recreational fishing and business management.
The corresponding manuals are being edited for new training courses and distribution in the countries
of the region.
5. We participated in the OSPESCA meeting on recreational fishing where information was given about
fishing and tourism activities dealt with by the MBRS Project, thus creating an interest in maintaining
close relations; subsequently a package was sent with a copy of the MBRS Project manuals to be
distributed to the Fisheries’ directors in the Central American countries.
6. Two meetings were held in coordination with the President of the Ecosystems Commission of the
IUCN for defining the characteristics of the training course on Ecosystem Management for the
fisheries, programmed for the first week of March 2005.
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7. The Congress took place from November 23 to 25, 2004 in Chetumal, Mexico, concluding successfully
with the participation of over 100 delegates from the 4 countries and the signing of agreements
prepared directly by the fishermen.
Sub-component B: Facilitation of Sustainable Coastal Marine Tourism:
As part of the process of disseminating examples of how to minimize the adverse impacts of tourism and
reinforce the effects which benefit resources and coastal marine ecosystems as well as for the human
communities located close to tourist destinations, during this fifth semester of the project the following actions
were taken:
1. The reports of the 2nd Regional Tourism Forum were not concluded by the national consultant
responsible. Consequently they were restructured with the Technical Assistant for Tourism to produce
an acceptable version which was completed in November 2004.
2. The Terms of Reference for formulating the Catalogue of Best Practices for coastal marine tourism
were prepared and approved by the World Bank and announced on the internet and to MBRS
partners; 17 applications were received and evaluated, but all failed to comply with requirements and
the experience necessary so they were declared void.
At present the contract is being extended to include the collection of existing information on this topic
and the consolidation of a document with the characteristics of the MBRS region in the tasks of the
technical assistant of the sub-component
3. Terms of Reference were prepared for formulating Voluntary Codes of Conduct for coastal marine
tourism operations in the MBRS region and these were approved by the World Bank. However due to
recent synergies with the ICRAN-MAR Program which began a consultancy on the above topic, a
process has begun for coordinating a joint product.
4. The final version of the Training Manual for Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental
Auditing on Coastal Marine Tourism Operations and Infrastructure was revised; this contains the
observations made by EIA Directors in Mesoamerica, which is satisfactory in the Spanish version,
although the English version had many grammatical mistakes and words incorrectly used so the
consultants were asked to improve the translation.
The consultants agreed and requested a time extension because they decided to hire a professional
translator, offering to present the final English version in January 2005.
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5. Two coordination meetings were held and several e-mails exchanged with the Central American
Tourism Council (CCT-SICA) for the purpose of establishing work synergies and mutually informing
about activities programmed; a matrix of joint actions was prepared and a package containing the
manuals produced by the MBRS Project was sent out.
6. The MBRS Project joined the Latin American Certification and Sustainable Tourism Network and was
named a member of the National Advisory Committee of Belize for the Certification and Sustainable
Tourism Program, participating in several work meetings.
7. Terms of Reference were prepared for formulating the Regional Cruise Ship Policy, which received
comments from CCT-SICA, Rain Forest Alliance and the Technical Assistant of the Sub-Component.
These terms received a no objection from the World Bank and they are to be announced in January
2005.
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2.4. Component IV. Education and Environmental Awareness
Component No. IV: Public Awareness and Environmental Education
Budget approved for period July 2004 to June 2005: US$362,200
Budget executed at 31 December 2004: US$99,946
Percent budget executed at 31 December 2004: 27.59%
Summary of the Component
Environmental education is a key element for understanding the relations which exist between natural and
social systems, as well as for achieving a clearer understanding of the importance of socio-cultural factors in
the emergence of environmental problems. In this context one should promote awareness raising, the values
and behaviors that will further the effective participation of the population in the decision making process,
sustainability and equity in the management of marine coastal resources by users.
The first six months of action during this period have focused on follow-up to training teachers at the local level
and the use of guides in primary and secondary schools in the region. At the same time and as a complement
to the activities of the previous period, efforts have been made to produce instructional and educational
materials which will promote a change of attitude in the Project’s target population, committing them to taking
part in solving the environmental problem.
These materials have the objective of clarifying concepts, informing the public about environmental risks in
relation to health, well-being and survival, but at the same time they define responsibilities and duties in
relation to the use, conservation and recovery of fragile ecosystems.
The Sub-component of Public Awareness of the MBRS has been concentrating on supporting the agencies
responsible for legislating, managing and supervising the MBRS marine coastal environment while at the same
time supporting greater communication and dialogue at the local level and in the civil society through
participating in and directing public consultations.
This effort continues to retrieve best practices in sustainable tourism, and policies for harmonized use of
transboundary coastal resources in the region in order to convert these into instructional instruments for the
target population.
To obtain compliance indicators for this component the terms of reference have been prepared for the first
socio-economic study of the MBRS region, which will also measure the impact of the Project on the target
population.
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Achievements up to date
2.4.1 Environmental Awareness Campaign
The Environmental Awareness Campaign has developed mainly through the dissemination of the Project’s
institutional educational video, the five video spots prepared for this purpose and the distribution of promotional
materials. The following has been achieved:
1. Distribution of over 32 copies of the institutional educational video to different institutions in the region;
many of these can be demonstrated with requests in writing. (These include TASTE, FRIENDS OF
Sian Ka’an, CAYOS COCHINOS FOUNDATION, COQCYT, MINEDUC, FRIENDS OF THE MANATEE,
UQROO, MARINE SECRETARIAT OF MEXICO, CHANNEL 4 of HONDURAS, etc.)
2. Over 420 transmissions of the MBRS video spot during a four month period on Channel 5 of Belize;
200 on Channel Seven of Chetumal, Mexico and recently channels 5, 7 and 9 of Honduras were
contracted for over 900 transmissions over the next six months.
3. In coordination with the component on Marine Protected Areas we participated in the first public
consultation of OMOA BARACOA in Honduras, for structuring their Master Plan, as well as providing
guidance for the last consultation for Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and the second consultation for
the Xcalak Reserve in Mexico. See previous report for more details on suggested recommendations.
4. The production of the institutional video in the Garifuna language was concluded on August 15 2004,
the only one remaining to be produced being the Maya Ketchí version.
5. 4,000 stickers were printed and distributed as well as 32 publicity billboards and 4,000 copies of the
Project’s bi-annual newsletter in English and Spanish. Furthermore 9 articles were published in the
press referring to the most significant events of the Project and finally 2,000 calendars were printed
referring to sustainable development policies for fisheries resources, tourism and transboundary marine
protected areas. The calendars will be distributed using as a strategy the participation of community
leaders and organizations with presence in MBRS transboundary area communities.
6. 400 t-shirts and caps were produced promoting the MBRS Project.
7. The first sustainable project for cleaning the beach in Honduras was planned, and will be implemented
between January and June of this year with the participation of the civil society of Tela and support
from the municipality.
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8. The First National Journalists’ Workshop, held in Cayos Cochinos, resulted in significant products
aimed at public opinion, such as an article on Project activities in the environmental review Flora and
Fauna, an editorial in the newspaper, the Herald, about the objectives of the MBRS and several radio
spots on coastal marine issues in Honduras.
2.4.2 Formal and Informal Education
1. In the context of activities for including MBRS topics in the curriculum and educational plans of primary
and secondary schools, National Workshops were held in Omoa and Utila in Honduras, Puerto Barrios
in Guatemala, and 5 local workshops in Punta Gorda, Sarteneja, South Water Caye, Belize City and
Dangriga in Belize. Furthermore two local workshops were held in Puerto Cortes and Cuyamel in
Honduras, a total of 657 teachers being trained in the MBRS region.
2. National and local workshops for Mexico have not been held due to a lack of coordination between the
Secretariat of Education and Culture and the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas,
CONANP.
3. The region’s photograph bank was maintained, which made it possible to prepare the products
mentioned above in point 5 on Environmental Awareness.
4. Terms of Reference were prepared for the consultancy on Socio-economic Analysis of the MBRS
Region and for measuring the impact of the Project on the target population.
2.4.3 Progress in Complying with the MBRS Indigenous Participation Plan
As part of the objective of the MBRS Indigenous Participation Plan a commitment was established to balance
the needs of all the villages and communities to be measured through specific indicators. To achieve the
indicators proposed in the Plan, the MBRS Project included a series of provisions related to:
Identification of organizations and individuals with a need for strengthening.
Preparation of participant profiles adapted to the characteristics and dynamics of culturally
differentiated peoples.
Development of multiple products for awareness raising and promotion aimed at these groups
specifically.
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In accordance with these provisions the national coordination offices are encouraged to respect and apply
participant profiles in MBRS activities. They are also encouraged to promote the countries’ coastal
development plans, identifying and describing “the areas of sustenance of the indigenous population and the
cultural, social and religious activities associated with the life of coastal peoples”.
In the near future, through a socio-economic survey the identification and evaluation of areas of economic,
cultural and spiritual importance will be completed for the indigenous communities affected. These can be
studied and related to tourist providers among indigenous peoples as part of the generation of alternative
income and the preservation of the local culture.
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2.5. Component V. Project Administration
2.5.1. Disbursements
The project started the fourth year of activities on July first 2004 with a Work Plan and a budget of
US$3,376,582. The balance was then US$332,802, and a total of US$658,196 was requested from the World
Bank and received during this period, leaving available a total of US$990,998 for the rest of the fiscal year of
2004-2005.
Total spending for this period (July 1 – December 31, 2004) was US$901,811 with a final balance of
US$89,186 at the end of December 2004. This represents 27% of the budget approved for the period from
July 2004 to June 2005. All together the project has received US$6,350,223 from the Bank and has spent
US$6,261,034, or 61% of the total budget of the project (US$10,240,715). Details of the Project’s financial
activities can be found in annexes 1-A to 1-F4.
It is expected that the period from January to June 2005 will continue in the same highly active trend for the
Project. This is reflected in projected expenses as expressed in annexes 1-F1 and 1-F2, with a total of
US$1,786,209.
2.5.2 Procurement
Consultancies
During this reporting period from July to December 2004 there were four national consultancies which were
mainly for document translation services and interpretation at meetings of the MBRS Project.
The Bank granted a No Objection for contracting Sheila Wilkin, resident in Guatemala, for one year – July 2004
to June 2005, due to the fact that Sheila has translated texts satisfactorily. All interpretation and translation
services have been covered with the amount in the budget of $16,000.00 (sixteen thousand) dollars.
The Project Coordinating Unit was strengthened during this semester with the contracting of a Procurement
and Disbursement Coordinator.
Construction Work
During this period the Multiple Use Center in Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras was completed and inaugurated.
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Also during this semester the contract awarded to GR Ingenieros in Mexico for building a Multiple Use Center
in Xcalak, Mexico, was cancelled. The Bank gave a No Objection for directly contracting Omer Construcciones
in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, for concluding the work on the Multiple Use Center in Xcalak.
Assets
During this semester the PCU was strengthened with the purchase of a photocopier for improving information
printing and dissemination services.
Promotional stickers were also printed, as well as calendars for 2005, t-shirts and manuals for park rangers in
MBRS marine protected areas.
To strengthen courses on Alternative/Sustainable Living more diving, snorkeling and fly fishing equipment was
bought.
2.5.3. Regional Coordination
The period from July to December 2005 was a period of great challenges and significant achievements for the
MBRS Project. Just like in the previous period, there were important achievements which have provided more
visibility to the Project. This visibility refers both to physical products as well as achievements in a large
number of political and regulatory processes that the Project has initiated.
The most visible achievements include the building of the Multiple Use Center in Utila, Turtle Harbor in
Honduras, the 4th Meeting of the MBRS Southern Transboundary Commission, the preparation of the Park
Ranger Manual for Marine Protected Areas, the Training Course on Public Use and Tourism in Marine Areas,
the Training Course on the Use and Maintenance of Renewable Energy in Marine Protected Areas, training in
the use of the REIS in Guatemala and Mexico, the production of the REIS User Manual, the change of
appearance of the Project’s web page by adding new templates, banners, navigations bars, graphs and two
new pages, one called “From the Reef” with the most recent news of the Project and the other “Political
Results of the MBRS Project”, the regional training course for people involved in the SMP, field monitoring in
mangrove, seagrass, reef ecology and marine pollution areas, data entry from the SMP to the REIS,
continuation of monitoring of fish aggregation sites, training for fishermen in alternative ways of living, the
exchange of fishermen between Belize and Mexico, the contracting of technical assistance for the tourism
component, the establishment of an alliance with the ICRAN-MAR Project to prepare a Catalogue of
Exemplary Practices for Marine Coastal Tourism, the distribution of the institutional video, transmission of the
Project’s video spots, the distribution of stickers, publicity billboards, the Project’s bi-annual newsletter, the
National Journalists’ Workshop in Honduras, and National Workshops on including MBRS topics in the
educational curriculum in Omoa and Utila, Honduras.
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With regard to Project Administration, the Procurement and Disbursement Coordinator (PDC) was contracted
on December 2004. With this new member of the MBRS team, it will be possible to improve the internal control
mechanisms for procurement and disbursement even more. In other words, the PDC will be an “Internal
Auditor” for the PCU. This administrative decision will further increase the standards of transparency and
performance that the MBRS Project has established in the region.
Coordination between the PCU and the countries has undergone some changes, specifically changes in
coordination in Guatemala and Honduras. These changes without doubt will result in a rupture in the rhythm of
implementation of Project activities and the need to begin a teaching process with the new national
coordination.
The MBRS Project together with CONANP, Mexico and the Federation of Cooperative Fisheries of Quintana
Roo organized the First Mesoamerican Congress of Fishermen, concluding with the signing of important
agreements (See Annex 5). It is also important to point to the important achievement of the Project, with the
support of the MBRS Southern Transboundary Commission, in which the countries of the Gulf of Honduras
signed Agreements of Common Application in the MBRS Geographical Area to harmonize fisheries standards
and regulations, tourism and protected areas (see annex 6) in the First Ministerial Meeting for Cooperation in
the Transboundary Region of the Gulf of Honduras.
The MBRS Project has achieved a high level of coordination with other projects, partners and initiatives in the
region during the last six months. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Project and the
CINVESTAV for cooperation in monitoring marine pollution and primary productivity. Specialists from the PCU
permanently participate in Working Groups of the Targeted Research Project of the World Bank /GEF on the
ecological connectivity of reefs and data processing using satellite images. An important alliance has been
formed with the Summit Foundation, in which the Project receives financial support from this institution to
strengthen synoptic monitoring efforts. The Project has also joined efforts with the World Bank, the WWF, the
Summit Foundation and Pedigree Consulting to launch the ‘Healthy Mesoamerican Reef Ecosystem Initiative’,
which aims at developing a series of health measurement indexes for the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.
Furthermore an alliance has been made with NOAA and Tufts University for making a comprehensive analysis
of transboundary basins in the MBRS region, essential information for designing phase two of the MBRS
Project. The MBRS Project has taken the leadership in launching the Tulum + 8 Initiative, in which we are
joining efforts with 12 more agencies to produce an updated plan of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System,
which is expected to be adopted in December 2005.
Coordination with Project partners such as the World Bank and the CCAD has progressed without delay or
setbacks during this reporting period. It is necessary to mention, in follow-up to what was mentioned in the
previous report, that the MBRS Project has sent a formal request to the CCAD to suspend the UNDP’s
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services to the MBRS Project. It is clear that there is no longer any added value in the MBRS-UNDP
relationship.
For the rest of the Project’s life highly visible achievements will continue to be produced in the short term, as
well as continuing activities which produce long term tangible impacts, in other words, the continuation of long
lasting processes which will continue beyond the life of this Project. The work of the PCU from now on will
largely be in processes of quality control in the field, data analysis and interpretation, the dissemination of
information generated and policy formulation, and the countries will have to invest more personnel, time and
have more commitments in order to comply with their responsibilities as countries under the GEF Grant
Agreement. Compliance with these commitments is important in order to demonstrate to the world and our
partners that the governments are really committed and are willing to make the changes in policy which are
necessary for achieving sustainable use of MBRS natural resources.
3.0. Limitations in Project Implementation
The limitations observed during this reporting period are presented below and are mainly of a technical and
administrative nature.
1. To guarantee the maximum use of national training workshops on using the REIS, the Project is holding
them as soon as possible after the first period of data collection. In this way training workshops also
offer the opportunity to supervise the entry of the first data to guarantee the quality of data and
strengthen trust among users. In Honduras there were problems with some boats bought with Project
resources and for this reason some support agencies were not able to carry out the field monitoring. So
the Project failed to hold two national training workshops on the use of the REIS which should have
been held during the last six months. These training courses are being programmed for April, 2005.
2. The MBRS Project depends on the national monitoring coordinators and the support agencies to attend
training courses as part of the national counterpart contribution. During the last six months, some users
failed to arrive at the course even though they had confirmed attendance.
This is a Project investment expense and also results in fewer people being trained by country. (In some
cases, the lack of attendance was due to personal emergencies which are understandable and inevitable.)
National coordinators should stress the commitment necessary from the support agencies.
3. The MBRS Project depends on the support agencies and their biologists for monitoring and data
management in the REIS. We have observed that some of the people trained in synoptic monitoring
last year are no longer in the same position. It is expected that personnel turnover is a periodical event.
So it is very important to plan for this and create mechanisms for guaranteeing the sustainability of
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monitoring programs. One strategy would be to train the new biologists during field surveys carried out
every six months.
4. The success of MBRS information systems in the long term depends on the willingness of partners and
governments in the region. It is essential to maintain cooperation and input from them for them in order
to be sustainable. This dependence on organizations and stakeholders outside the Project means that
the Project is vulnerable with regard to reaching Project goals. Taking these challenges into account,
the Project keeps the national actors involved in Project activities to guarantee the sustainability of
these initiatives in the long term.
5. Personnel turnover in the institutions is a limiting factor in the development of the SMP so it is proposed
that monitoring be every 6 months in order to train more personnel each time for dealing with the deficit
or change of personnel.
6. The success of the MBRS Synoptic Monitoring Program in the long term depends on the will of partners
and governments in the region. It is essential to maintain their cooperation and input for the
sustainability of working teams and monitoring teams.
7. Delays in payments outstanding by the project’s fund disbursement agency.
8. Internal problems between the authorities of countries responsible for coordinating activities in the
Component, especially in Mexico.
9. Changes in personnel in the national coordination of Guatemala and Honduras.
Recognizing these current and potential limitations, the Project will make every effort to make sure that these
limitations do not compromise the success of the Project.
4.0. Technical Activities for the Next Semester
Apart from giving follow-up to activities started during the last semester, other activities to be implemented
during the next semester are listed below.
Component l. Marine Protected Areas
1. Implementation of Management Effectiveness Monitoring for the MPAs.
2. Building of a Multiple Use Center in Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve.
3. Inauguration of the Multiple Use Center in the Xcalak Reserve.
4. Building of an Interpretative Trail in Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park.
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Component ll. Environmental Information System and Synoptic Monitoring Program
A. Environmental Information System
1. One main task will be to make sure that all the data collected by biologists under the Synoptic
Monitoring Program are entered soon after the field surveys. This will mean that the Specialist must
coordinate with the Project’s Environmental Monitoring Specialists and the monitoring coordinators in
each country and, where necessary, will visit the countries to supervise data entry. In January the
Project will coordinate with all the agencies to make sure that they are up to date with data entry and to
provide technical support.
2. It is necessary to conclude national training workshops on the use of the REIS. One national training
workshop remains to be given in Mexico on the module on marine pollution and two national training
workshops in Honduras on the modules of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass. The training courses
in Honduras are being programmed for April and in Mexico for March. Supervision of data entry will be
done during the training courses.
3. Based on the requests and requirements of users and Environmental Monitoring Specialists, new
reports will be designed and programmed for the REIS to support data analysis. Other changes will
also be made to programs for improving the interface and the operation of the data base. This
improvement process will be continuous throughout the life of the system in order to keep it updated
and to accommodate the new requirements of biologists.
4. Documents will be published for the REIS in English and Spanish for disseminating to REIS users and
other interested parties. These documents will include the User Manual and the Design Document.
5. The Information Specialist will keep the web page up to date with new documents, news on Project
achievements and other significant information. The electronic library of scientific and administrative
documents based on the web page will grow throughout the life of the Project for the purpose of
establishing a permanent registry of information related to resources and MBRS management. A
second version of the CD of this electronic library will be prepared and disseminated to the public in
general and specifically to groups who do not have internet connection.
6. The Project will start with the design and implementation of a new module for the REIS to manage data
collected under the management effectiveness monitoring program for marine protected areas and this
will be implemented shortly.
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7. The Project will work with NOAA to make analyses of MBRS basins based on geographical, biophysical
and socio-economic information. This activity will be a joint effort between the Project, NOAA and other
partners who can contribute data, technical competence and other resources. The Project will start with
this task in January 2005.
B. Synoptic Monitoring Program
1. Terms of reference will be prepared for contracting a laboratory for processing samples from the MBRS
marine pollution monitoring program and the consultation process will begin. In this context the services
of a “certified” laboratory will be hired for processing samples of pesticides and other pollutants. This
process will be carried out through international invitation to bid and selection will be the responsibility
of an ad hoc committee based on the Terms of Reference for the contract.
2. Monitoring in the four countries will continue in the different components and workshops will continue to
be held on the use of the REIS.
3. In coordination with each of the monitoring coordinators, data will be analyzed in the corresponding
locations for the purpose of generating a baseline at the local and regional levels. The first regional
monitoring meeting will be held for the purpose of analyzing progress, limitations, wise decisions and
obstacles in the development of the SMP.
4. Active participation will continue in organizing the Tulum + 8 Initiative, particularly in the meeting of
experts programmed for March 2005. In this event the main progress of the MBRS synoptic monitoring
program up to date will be presented, as well as other research and projects in the region.
Component lll. Sustainable Use of the MBRS
A. Sustainable Fisheries
1. Continuation of monitoring of fish aggregation sites in Mexico and Belize.
2. Analysis of monitoring data in aggregation sites.
3. Monitoring of the life cycle of the anchovy in Guatemala.
4. Implementation of a Regional Consultation of Fishermen on sources of sustainable life.
5. Exploration of a way to broaden support for artisanal fishermen.
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9. National training for primary and secondary school teachers in Mexico.
8. Inclusion of conservationist phrases on public utilities receipts in at least two countries in the region.
7. Hiring of field outreach workers.
6. Contracting of a new graphic design firm.
5. Continuation of installation of MBRS publicity billboards.
4. Design and printing of curricular packages for primary and secondary schools as complementary
elements for the lessons contained in the teachers’ guides already distributed by the Project.
3. Definition of evaluation guidelines for using teachers’ guides in primary and secondary schools.
2. Implementation of children’s radio programs.
1. Development of campaigns to clean beaches in Belize, Guatemala and Mexico.
3. Publication of the Manual on Voluntary Codes of Conduct in Coastal Marine Tourism.
Component lV. Environmental Education and Public Awareness
2. Preparation and publication of the Catalogue of Best Practices in Coastal Marine Tourism.
1. Formulation of a regional cruise ship policy.
B. Sustainable Tourism