Abstract

This paper describes an opportunity to create an international network of MPAs around the Gulf of Mexico, working through collaboration with partner nations around the Caribbean and utilizing the concept of connectivity throughout the region. A network in the comparably-complex Gulf of Mexico region could protect sensitive marine areas such as interconnected deep water coral banks and hard-bottom communities vital to the health and sustainability of the region’s marine resources. Historically considered and managed as isolated environments, recent discoveries have documented important biological linkages between these underwater communities that are maintained by the clockwise motion of the Yucatan, Loop and Florida currents. Individual reefs and banks, some of which are connected by bathymetric ridges and scarps, provide a nearly-continuous “corridor” from Cuba, Belize and Mexico, then into the Gulf itself. Though separated by large expanses of ocean, the fishes, corals, and invertebrates common to these reefs and banks demonstrate that the health and vitality of resources “downstream” are linked closely to those located “upstream”. They are dependent on one another for continued recruitment and replenishment. The Gulf of Mexico region is important for several human uses, which can be preserved so that conservation goals are met while respecting ongoing recreational and economic activity. Existing uses of the Gulf of Mexico can co-exist with a highly protected network of marine protected areas. This paper explores a strategy to establish an international network of MPAs.

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