Conservation and Sustainable Use Mechanisms (MCU)
Strategy Protected areas are the most effective tool in Mexican policy to ensure the conservation of biodiversity. However, the Mexican legislation offers other management tools that may be used to protect sites that could reinforce and/or connect existing PAs and their areas of influence, and therefore foster the conservation of other priority sites where it is not possible to establish PAs. The wide-range of Conservation and Sustainable Use Mechanisms (CSUMs) provides some flexibility to conservation efforts and allows key players to use them based on the conservation status of the site and its social, cultural and economic context. The implementation of CSUMs makes it possible to protect larger areas, to have more connectivity among PAs and to enhance the conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity in the Gulf of California. The direct participation and integration of key local and federal players –both from government and civil society- is an integral part of the process and a key condition for successful implementation. Expected Results The aim of implementing CSUMs is to significantly increase the area under protection, to improve connectivity between PAs and to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity in the Gulf of California. This includes promoting the legal tools available to CONANP and to other key players such as CONAPESCA and INAPESCA. Building strategic alliances to enhance sustainable use of the marine and coastal resources of the Gulf of California is an integral part of the efforts to attain the goals of the component and thus support the Mexican Government in achieving the Aichi Biodiveristy Targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity by 2018.
Areas of Work
- Foster the creation of new marine and coastal PAs
- Promote the use of Destination Agreements of the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (ZOFEMAT) and intertidal areas in favor of CONANP
- Foster the creation of fish refuge zones (entrusted to be managed by CONAPESCA) to complement marine PAs
- Promote the implementation of Fishery Management Plans to ensure responsible fishing within PAs and their areas of influence