The Fishermen of La Playita, Colón: Ecotourism In
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THE FISHERMEN OF LA PLAYITA, COLÓN : ECOTOURISM IN THREATENED COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS Marina Chirchikova,Martine Chaussard and Etienne Low-Décarie I THE FISHERMEN OF LA PLAYITA, COLÓN : ECOTOURISM IN THREATENED COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS Marina Chirchikova Martine Chaussard Etienne Low-Décarie Work presented to Dr. Rafael Samudio For Research in Panama ENVR 450 April 27th, 2006 McGill University Panama Field Study Semester II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • We would first like to thank the members of the community of La Playita for their warm welcome, their interest in the project and their invaluable help; this project would not have been possible without them. • We would like thank Dr. Stanley Heckadon-Moreno for initiating this project and for his continued help throughout. • Lic. Benjamin Ordonez for his great help, wonderful suggestions, expansive knowledge, encouragement, and friendship. • McGill University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute for their resources and facilities. • Annie Young of Ecocircuitos, Henry Josephs of Shorex, Aventuras 2000, New Hotel Washington and the Port of Colon 2000 for their time, assistance, and interest. • Sra. Indira Olmos of IPAT, Sr. Piti of the police, and the staff from ANAM for their time, support, and useful data. • Professor Samudio for his assistance. • Nilka Tejeira for organizing and setting up this internship. • The personnel of Punta Galeta for their hospitality and support. • The guests from the final presentation for their time. • Finally we would like to thank professor Catherine Potvin for organizing this semester and making it possible for us to be here. • THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I HOST INSTITUTION The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s Punta Galeta Marine Laboratory ▪ The Punta Galeta Marine Laboratory in Colon, Panama was founded in 1964 and pursues four principal objectives: scientific research, education, conservation and spiritual connection with nature. As one of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute research stations, it is the site of scientific research concerning mangrove forests, coral reefs, marine biology, and marine environmental monitoring. In the context of its educational program, the laboratory receives groups of visitors from around Panama (schools, universities, internal tourism, institutions, members of the community, etc.) and from abroad. Intrinsically linked to the educational program is the laboratory’s vocation for conservation. Since it is located inside an ANAM protected area, it strives for the proper management of the natural resources that are left in a highly disturbed habitat, given the large-scale development projects taking part in Colón. It is the laboratory’s point of view that educating members of local communities and of Panamanians in general about environmental issues will lead to a better understanding of the importance of conservation for which it is responsible. Finally, because of its exceptional location, the Punta Galeta Marine Laboratory offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and reflect upon its complexities. In that sense, it allows for a resourceful experience of spiritual connection with nature. Contact information of host institution: Contact information of supervisors: ▪ Punta Galeta Marine Laboratory Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute ▪ Dr. Stanley Heckadon-Moreno Unit 0948 APO AA 34002 Director of Communications and Public +507 212 8191 Relations Fax :+507 212-8148 Punta Galeta Marine Laboratory [email protected] STRI Box 0843-03092 Balboa, Panama [email protected] Telephone: +507 212-8068 Fax : +507 212-8146 ▪ Lic. Benjamin Ordoñez Director of Education Program, Punta Galeta Marine Laboratory [email protected] Telephone: +507 212-0892 Mobile: +507 6522-5941 II DAYS SPENT ON PROJECT Site Panama City Punta Galeta Marine Laboratory Total Days per person 10 32 42 Man days 30 96 126 Total man hours 240 768 1008 III Thank you notes to be addressed to: ▪ Dr. Stanley Heckadon-Moreno STRI Box 0843-03092 Balboa, Panama Telephone: +507 212-8068 [email protected] ▪ Licenciado Benjamin Ordoñez Punta Galeta Marine Laboratory Telephone: +507 212 8192 Mobile: +507 6522-5941 [email protected] ▪ Nilka Tejeira, Program Coordinator Telephone: +507 212-8000 / 8225 [email protected] IV EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: THE FISHERMEN OF LA PLAYITA, COLÓN : ECOTOURISM IN THREATENED COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS Marina Chirchikova, - Punta Galeta Marine Laboratory Martine Chaussard Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Etienne Low Décarie Unit 0948 APO AA 34002 Telephone: +507 212 8191 Fax :+507 212-8148 [email protected] The Punta Galeta Marine Laboratory, Colón, is one of the two Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute stations on the Atlantic. One of the laboratory’s missions is to ensure the conservation of the unique coastal ecosystems that characterize Punta Galeta. This is done in a context of increasing pressure on the region’s natural resources, caused in part by the development of large-scale industrial projects as well as by problems of illegal fishing occuring in the protected areas. A few years ago, some members of the fishing community of La Playita, Colón, were involved in illegal fishing in the protected area and their boats were confiscated. To remediate this situation, the laboratory decided to build links with the community. An analysis was conducted in 2005 regarding the socio-economic conditions of the inhabitants of La Playita. The low income of fishing was highlighted in last year’s report. The current project builds on this by studying a potential alternative source of income –ecotourism- that could release the pressure exerted by the fishing community on the marine resources of the area and stimulate the economic and social development of La Playita. A feasibility analysis was undertaken in order to establish whether an ecotourism project involving the fishermen of La Playita giving boat tours of the mangrove forest could help the laboratory’s conservation mission and result in further development of the concerned community. The second component of the project involved setting up the foundation of the future ecotourism operation. From January to April 2006, several different tasks were carried out. First, documentary research and analysis of background theory and literature relating to ecotourism was conducted. This research focused on the three main components of sustainable development: economic, socio- political, and environmental. Second, fieldwork included interviews with tourists and key agents for the development of an ecotourism project, such as representatives of the ANAM, IPAT and of tour operator companies. Some fishermen attended a capacitation in Isla Grande that focused on mangrove ecotourism. Finally, an experimental tour of the mangroves was realized and led to the establishment of an inventory of estuary paths of the mangroves of Isla Galeta that the fishermen of La Playita could use for the boat tours. A brochure was also created and distributed to the United Fishermen of La Playita, representatives of ANAM, IPAT, and the governor’s office. The results of the study group were therefore that an ecotourism project is highly possible in the context of La Playita, but that some conditions should be met so that all components of sustainable development be well integrated and adopted. From the environmental perspective, this investigation led us to conclude that the proposed ecotourism enterprise would actually bridge the two approaches to conservation: protectionism and development. This ecotourism project will contribute to the conservation of the Isla Galeta protected area through increased enforcement, greater valuation of the ecosystems and by removing the harvesting pressure among other aspects. However, we believe that there is a special need for norms and monitoring to preserve the positive V impacts of this project on the environment. From an economics perspective, the project must be designed to minimize leakages, distribute the benefits widely among the community, and insure that cost-recovery is maintained and that the net income from ecotourism be higher than the opportunity cost of fishing for this activity to be adopted as a tool towards economic diversification. Although much of the physical and human capital for this project already exists in the community, in the future it is important to try to secure credit/sponsorship to provide for what is lacking. Finally, a socio-political theoretical analysis allowed the discovery of important characteristics to be present for an ecotourism project to be successful. Internally, community- based ecotourism management can be a very efficient vector of social development, if conflict resolution is well done and if power relations among the group are dealt with consistently. Gender inequalities are also highly noticeable in the community and need to be solved for the benefits of the project to be maximized. Externally, good relationships with tour operators and key resource provides are necessary, and a good ecotourism project can often create new bases for power, a condition that would help the inhabitants of La Playita deal with their land rights insecurities. Significant relationships were established with ecotourism operators from Panama City, as well as with representatives of ANAM and IPAT. ANAM seems to be willing to give the community of La Playita its support, but needs to retain a certain control of what goes on in the protected area. IPAT is also very supportive, although administrative details will eventually have to be taken care of, such as the registration