Experiences and Lessons Learned in the Conservation and Sustainable Use of MesoAmerica Barrier Reff Systems Project (MBRS)

GEF Third Biennial International Waters GEF Third Biennial International Waters ConferenceConference

June 23, 20005June 23, 20005Salvador Bahia, BrazilSalvador Bahia, Brazil

Integrated Approaches Integrated Approaches Across GEF Focal Areas Across GEF Focal Areas

Experiences and Lessons Experiences and Lessons Learned in the Learned in the

Conservation and Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Sustainable Use of the

Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Systems Project (MBRS)Systems Project (MBRS)

Belize – Guatemala – Honduras - Belize – Guatemala – Honduras - MexicoMexico

Integration by DesignIntegration by Design• The Project intentionally The Project intentionally

designed and implemented designed and implemented from a truly regional from a truly regional perspectiveperspective

• Project skewed towards Project skewed towards investments in investments in transboundary areastransboundary areas

• All activities developed and All activities developed and implemented using the ‘good implemented using the ‘good neighbor’/’common interest’ neighbor’/’common interest’ principle principle

• Bottom up approach Bottom up approach crucial for securing crucial for securing regional political buy inregional political buy in

• Transboundary Transboundary Commissions are key Commissions are key mechanisms for mechanisms for promoting harmonization promoting harmonization of biodiversity regulations of biodiversity regulations across bordersacross borders

Integration of Biodiversity and International Integration of Biodiversity and International WatersWaters

– Standardized Standardized methodology for methodology for environmental environmental monitoring in monitoring in international waters international waters across four countriesacross four countries

– Standardized Standardized protocol for protocol for monitoring fish monitoring fish spawning spawning aggregation sites in aggregation sites in international waters international waters across four countriesacross four countries


– Standardized Primary Standardized Primary and and Secondary Secondary School Curricula on School Curricula on the conservation of the conservation of marine resources marine resources across four countriesacross four countries

– Standardized Standardized protocol for protocol for monitoring the monitoring the effectiveness of MPA effectiveness of MPA management in management in international waters international waters across four countriesacross four countries


– Common Strategy Common Strategy for the Management for the Management of Spawning of Spawning Aggregation Sites Aggregation Sites being developed for being developed for MBRS regionMBRS region

– Standardized Standardized training manuals for training manuals for different aspects of different aspects of MPA management MPA management for 17 MPAs across for 17 MPAs across four countriesfour countries


– Regional Cruise Ship Policy being developed for MBRS region

– Harmonized regulations and norms adopted by multiple countries for coastal and marine resource use in the areas of MPAs, fisheries and tourism

For more informationFor more information

Please contact:Please contact:

MBRS ProjectMBRS Project

Princess Margaret DrivePrincess Margaret Drive

P.O. Box 93P.O. Box 93

Belize City, BelizeBelize City, Belize

Tel. (501)-223-3895; Fax. (501)-223-Tel. (501)-223-3895; Fax. (501)-223-45134513

E-mail: E-mail: [email protected]@btl.net

Website: Website: www.mbrs.org.bzwww.mbrs.org.bz

Documents

Experiences and Lessons Learned in the Conservation and Sustainable Use of MesoAmerica Barrier Reff Systems Project (MBRS)