Mexiconservación's Blog

On July 11th of 2008 we signed an agreement with the Small Grants Program of the United Nations Development Program (SGP-UNDP) for a project called "Planning for sustainability among groups involved in tourism activities financed by the Small Grants Program". The objective is to develop and plan an integral short-term capacity building project for 22 grassroots organizations already financed by the SGP-UNDP and involved in tourism activities throughout the three states of the Yucatán Peninsula (Quintana Roo, Yucatan and Campeche). We hope to focus these SGP-financed community tourism development projects toward "best practices" that will maximize the sustainability of their tourism activities.

With this initiative we have the opportunity to directly influence local communities throughout the Peninsula and guide their efforts with regards to tourism towards better care of the environment, the social inclusion of these communities in tourism development projects, and the economic benefits obtained by said tourism activities.

The project will be lead by Armando Sastrè Méndez, a new addition to the Mexiconservación team with a Masters degree in Sustainable Tourism Management and recent experience strengthening community based tourism efforts along the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor and the Celestun Biosphere Reserve.

The very first Green Expo Tulum took place on the 18th August this year. It was held at the Casa de la Cultura in Tulum, where local environmental NGOs and businesses presented their projects, services and products to the community. Mexiconservacion was represented by Lucy Gallagher and Rafael Gonzalez at their colorful stand

The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish on the planet and inhabits tropical and temperate waters between 15C and 30C. It is easily identifiable by its large mouth, flattened head and distinctive white spots on its dark skin. There are historical reports by local fishermen relating to the aggregation occurring in the northeastern side of the Yucatan peninsula. Nowadays, this spot is considered to be one of the most important and predictable aggregations in the world. According to CONANP (National Commission for Natural Protected Areas), 173 individuals were identified in 2004, compared to the 162 in Ningaloo (Australia) and 47 in Belize. This event is fostered by oceanographic currents, triggering an upwelling in the area from late May to early September.

While the Whale Shark is listed as a vulnerable species by IUCN as it is fished (mainly in Asia) in Mexico, it is a major tourist attraction. Their docility, accessibility (gather in shallow coastal areas) and seasonal predictability has boosted its non-extractive exploitation.

Initially, permits were issued only to promote alternative and sustainable development in local communities, in Chiquila and on the Island of Holbox. But in 2005, Cancun and Isla Mujeres were also given access to this profitable activity, increasing the number of boats and hence conflicts in the feeding grounds where Whale Sharks gather. Lately, intermediary companies also demand tour operators to have their own guides and/ or photography crew, putting more pressure on breaking the rules created and agreed by all local tour operators in 2003.

Whale shark conservation is challenged by different factors working at different time and spatial scales. Lois Moriel, a Master student at the stockholm Resilience Center (Sweden) and Mexiconservacion volunteer, is currently working on a project to include all areas involved in the use and management of the whale shark in the Mexican Atlantic.

The aim of her research is to determine how external drivers influence the way in which local stakeholders develop this activity, which will eventually determine its sustainability, both at a social and species level. The distance to the resource, costs and benefits from operation, and relationship with intermediaries will be regarded as external drivers. If you would like to contribute towards Lois’s Research, please consider a donation by clicking here and label it Whale Shark Research.

Last July 15, the Cooperative U Meya Maya oob and Mexiconservación joined forces to promote an interesting community based tourism project. A traditional mayan ceremony took place to celebrate this alliance accompanied by delicious regional dishes and indigenous music, at the Hotel Crucero in Tulum, where both groups now share an office.

If you would like to know more about the various ecotourism packages that the network of integrated indigenous communities offer contact, Rosario Pat Poot at the Mexiconservación office or visit http://rita.com.mx/