Final Report Implementing Capacity Building in the Mesoamerican Reef MPA Community NOAA Award Number: NA12NOS4820126 October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2014 Submitted by: Robert Glazer, Emma Doyle (Project Manager) Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, Inc P.O. Box 21655 Charleston, SC 29413 NA12NOS4820126 GCFI Final Report Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................ 2 Regional Workshop on Alternative Livelihoods and Sustainable Tourism ........................................................ 3 Regional SocMon Workshop .............................................................................................................................. 7 Tasks ................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Port Honduras Marine Reserve.......................................................................................................................... 1 Project 1.Pay-to-Participate Monitoring ‘Ridge to Reef Expeditions’............................................................ 3 Project 2. Seaweed Farming .......................................................................................................................... 7 Project 3. Small Business Microgrants ........................................................................................................... 9 Half Moon Caye and Blue Hole National Monuments ..................................................................................... 10 Project 4. SocMon Assessment .................................................................................................................... 10 Project 5. Reef Protector ............................................................................................................................. 12 Project 6. Small Business Microgrants ......................................................................................................... 17 South Water Caye Marine Reserve .................................................................................................................. 22 Project 7. School Programs .......................................................................................................................... 22 Project 8. Adult Outreach Program. ............................................................................................................ 24 Zona de Protección Especial Sandy Bay/West ................................................................................................. 25 Project 9. Small Business Micro-grants ........................................................................................................ 25 Project 10. Lionfish....................................................................................................................................... 27 Monumento Natural Marino Archipiélago Cayos Cochinos ............................................................................ 30 Project 11. Fishery Management Plan ........................................................................................................ 30 Zona de Protección Especial Marina Turtle Harbour – Rock Harbour ............................................................. 30 Project 12. Fisher exchange ......................................................................................................................... 35 Parque Nacional Arrecife Alacranes ................................................................................................................ 36 Project 13. Conch Assessment. .................................................................................................................... 36 Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak ............................................................................................................... 37 Project 14. Lobster Assessment ................................................................................................................... 37 Parque Nacional Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún y Punta Nizuc .......................................... 39 Project 15. SocMon Assessment .................................................................................................................. 39 Project 16. CaMPAM Database ........................................................................................................................ 40 1 NA12NOS4820126 GCFI Final Report Project Wrap-Up Meeting ................................................................................................................................ 41 Appendix I - Toledo Institute Alternative Livelihood and Sustainable Tourism Workshop Appendix II - Marine Protected Areas and Benefits for Communities Press Release Appendix III - Workshop Agenda - SocMon Training Appendix IV - Tools for Working with Coastal Communities in the Mesoamerican Reef Region Press Release Appendix V - REPORT - SocMon Assessment: Fishery Livelihoods in Corozal and Belize City Appendix VI - Small Business Grants Awards Press Release Appendix VII - Poster about Using Volunteer Educators presented at the 66th GCFI meeting Appendix VIII - Tide Hosts Fishers from Utila, Honduras Press Release Appendix IX - Call for Proposals – Conch Assessment and Management Plan, PN Arrecife Alacranes Appendix X - REPORT - Alacranes Conch Assessment Appendix XI - Alacranes Conch Management Plan Appendix XII - Alacranes Conch Presentation Appendix XIII - Xcalak Lobster Report Appendix XIV - Xcalak Lobster Presentation Appendix XV - REPORT - Cancun SocMon Appendix XVI - Assessing Tour Guide Practices and Knowledge Press Release Appendix XVII - Example MPA Management Plan Generated from the MPA database Appendix XVIII - Implementing Capacity Building in the Mesoamerican Reef MPA Community - End of Project Meeting - Agenda Appendix XIX - Multi-country Marine Protected Areas Project Wraps Up in Belize 2 NA12NOS4820126 GCFI Final Report Executive Summary During the period from October 1 2012 through September 30 2014, the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) and a group of nine marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Meso-American Reef (MAR) region implemented a cooperative agreement in line with NOAA CRCP’s international strategy to work with regional initiatives to develop and implement long-term MPA capacity building programs based on capacity assessments. Two regional workshops and 16 sub-projects were implemented under the cooperative agreement in order to address priority capacity building needs from the Caribbean MPA Management Capacity Assessment (Gombos et al, 2011). The activities implemented successfully increased capacity for effective implementation of MPAs in the MAR region and improved the tiered ranking of capacity in relation to socio-economic monitoring (FFO Obj. 5), the development of alternative livelihoods (FFO Obj. 2), fisheries management (FFO Obj. 2), sustainable financing (FFO Obj. 4) and outreach and education (FFO Obj. 2). Regional Workshop - Alternative Livelihoods and Sustainable Tourism Although the Alternative Livelihood workshop was originally planned to take place in the second quarter of 2013, based on advice from the regional SocMon Coordinator and given approval from S. Frew this was moved to 14-17 November 2012 so as to precede and lead in to the SocMon training. The workshop was successfully completed with 15 participants from 7 MPAs, plus guest speakers from UNDP, CARICOM, and local expert organizations. It covered both theory and practice in encouraging the establishment of sustainable alternative livelihoods associated with MPAs. A variety of case studies on alternative livelihoods such as sea weed cultivation, chicken rearing, pig rearing, tourism, community researchers micro-enterprises, among others were presented by organizations who have implemented these projects in Belize. A presentation on alternative livelihoods in the Eastern Caribbean was presented. Participants believed that the alternatives presented could be replicated and offered to follow up with presenters when necessary. Key lessons learned from engaging in alternatives include: Recipients must be interested in the project and either have capacity to implement or be willing to accept the necessary training to carry it out successfully Feasibility study and business plan are costly, but important to do to ensure viability of project and know of available market/s A clear criteria for selection of project recipients is essential It is vital to follow up closely with recipient/s to offer necessary support and monitor and evaluate projects Usually, resource users want to continue doing what they traditionally did – forever - so it is best to offer a supplemental livelihood opportunity rather than an alternative livelihood The workshop also included a focus on sustainable tourism, with a tour-guide refresher course, presentations on voluntary standards in marine tourism and discussion between MPA Managers and 3 NA12NOS4820126 GCFI Final Report tourism operators about the challenges and needs for sustainable tourism in MPAs. Belize Tourism Industry representatives summarized the Sustainable Tourism Master Plan which ignited a number of comments that reinforced the need to ensure that tourism, a revenue earner, does not negatively impact fragile ecosystems that communities depend on for food security.