Abstract

Banco Chinchorro, located off the southern coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico, was declared as Biosphere reserve on 19 July 1996. This reserve (144, 360 ha) is classified by The National Biodiversity Commission as a Priority RegionA-70, and the WWF considers it within the Global 200 priority areas. It is included in the 17 Marine Protected Areas in the Mesoamerican Barrler Reef System. Its great biodiversity, with endemic and threatened species, and its relative isolation makes Chinchorro a very important area for conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Fishing, the main economic activity for the people from Xcalak, Mahahual and Chetumal, has grown since 1959, and is based on three fishermen cooperatives (92 members) focused on Queen conch (Strombus gigas) and lobster (Panulirus argus). As a part of a conservation strategy, the first goal was to prepare the Management Plan involving two years of work with fishermen to achieve agreement. On the other hand, 73 administrative rules and 13 fines for eight kinds ofusers of the Reserve were approved by both federal and state government, as well as academic group and NGOs. Various actions have improved the conservation of Banco Chinchorro. Surveillance and enforcement programs, funded by both the federal government and WWF, attempt to reduce illegal fishing. A monitoring program funded by federal government and NGOs was created. Several research projects have been carried out with help of different academic institutions and the Mexican Navy, related with reef biodiversity, physical and chemical oceanography, bathymetry, and conch and lobster population studies. As a management strategy, arrangements have been reached to achieve the lobster fishery certification.

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