2010 Report Card for the Mesoamerican Reef

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This eco health report card is the first comprehensive reef assessment of the Mesoamerican reef Ecosystem (MAR). It aims to provide timely, accurate and reliable information on the condition of the MAR resources and our degree of success at managing these resources. It will be produced every other year through the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative. The report card presents an easy to understand overview of reef ecosystem condition and stewardship by providing a straightforward five point grading system from 'very good' to 'critical' for seven reef indicators

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Card
for the
Report
Reef
Mesoamerican
An Evaluation of Ecosystem Health
2010
WHAT’S INSIDE HEALTHY REEFS FOR
HEALTHY PEOPLE
The 2010 Report Card highlights three focal sections - an
assessment on the current state of the Reef; an update on
existing and emerging threats to reef health; and a sample
of stories of hope and needed actions to foster healthy
reefs and healthy people. A synopsis of key findings is
presented up front in the “Taking Stock” section.
First, this report card begins with a re-
examination of the Indicators of Reef Health.
It reviews the indicators that constitute the
Healthy Reef Index as well as the grading
criteria and threshold values for these
indicators. New data collected in 2009 at 50
core sites are compared to data collected in
2006 to show change since the last Report
Card. The two-page layout map provides a
visual summary of the regional health data. A
historical look at selected reefs with long term
data is presented to underscore the degree
and concern of coral reef decline. This report
card does not contain new socioeconomic data
because the results of the 2010 censuses were
not available at the time of compilation.
Next, the Report Card reviews the suite of
threats facing the reef, including several newly
perceived threats that were not known two years
ago. On the fore front is the alarming, rapid and
widespread invasion of the beautiful but deadly
exotic lionfish, which are devastating local
fish populations. Meanwhile the loss of large
fishes, particularly commercially important
fishes, large herbivorous parrotfishes and top
predators like sharks, continues to impact how
reefs function as well as the quality of people’s
livelihoods. Other looming threats such as
coastal development, climate change and
the potential for offshore oil exploration and
drilling jeopardize the future of reef recovery
and survival.
Finally, the Report Card takes a look at
positive reef management tools such as marine
protected areas and protection of endangered
species. Several successful case studies being
implemented throughout the region are
showcased to offer hope for the future of reef
health.
Blue Ribbon Awards are given in recognition
of sound reef management actions.
Recommendations to improve and safeguard
reef health conclude the report card.
Healthy Reefs for Healthy People (HRI) is a collaborative
international initiative that generates user-friendly
tools to measure, track, and report on the health of the
Mesoamerican Reef Ecosystem (MAR). It includes a
formal partnership of over 30 organizations and informal
collaborations with government agencies, individual
scientists, and other partners. HRI aims to improve
reef management and decision-making to effectively
sustain an economically and ecologically thriving
MAR eco-region by delivering scientifically credible
and respected report cards on ecosystem health and
encouraging the implementation of effective management
recommendations. In addition to the 2008 and 2010
Report Cards, other HRI publications include: the 2007
Healthy Reefs for Healthy People: A Guide to Indicators of
Reef Health and Social Well-being in the Mesoamerican
Reef Region describing indicators by which progress
toward a healthy Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) can be
quantitatively tracked and the 2008 Quick Reference
Guide highlighting the 20 highest priority indicators
and graphically illustrating their modern baseline values
against reference conditions. All are available on:
www.healthyreefs.org
S
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1
THE MESOAMERICAN REEF
AN INTERNATIONAL ECOREGION
Te spectacular Mesoamerican Reef includes the Western
Hemisphere’s longest barrier reef and a diverse array of
reef formations linked together by complex oceanographic
currents. Extending over :,ooo kilometers from Mexico to
Honduras, this vast complex, with its neighboring
seagrass meadows, deep and shallow lagoons, and coastal
mangrove forests, forms a dynamic mosaic that nurtures the
Mesoamerican “hotspot” of biological and cultural diversity.
Te region’s terrestrial topography includes the fat, low lying
areas of the Yucatan, Mexico and the dry climate, few
rivers, and unique subterranean water fows of northern
Belize. Farther south, the landscape changes to tall coastal
mountains, much more rainfall, and numerous large rivers
in southern Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Te overall ecoregion covers approximately aoa,a:o km
:
,
with :o:,oa8 km
:
in watersheds and :,:,,,: km
:
in diverse
marine habitats. In :oo,, the leaders of the four nations
(Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras) signed the
historic Tulum Declaration, which pledged support for
conserving this shared resource.
Te region’s economies are highly dependent on marine
resources, especially tourism and fshing industries. In Belize
alone, the reef was estimated to contribute approximately
s,o, - s,,o million US dollars in goods and services each
year.
:
Here more than most places, the health of our people—
our communities and our economies—depends on our
ability to restore, nurture, and maintain our healthy reefs.
Belize City
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Locator map and detailed map of the Mesoamerican Reef Ecoregion.
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2
A WORLD OF CHANGES SINCE 2008
Te last two years have been a time of immense change.
At the time of launching the frst Report Card in :oo8,
the world was just beginning to recognize the extent and
implications of the global economic crisis and the expansion
of the invasive lionfsh into the Mesoamerican Reef had
not yet been documented. In May :ooo, reef managers in
southern Belize and neighboring Honduras were rudely
awakened to the substantial losses of coral reef habitat
resulting from a major earthquake of the island of Roatan.
Ten, in April :o:o, the entire world became keenly aware
of the immediate and devastating efects on coastal and
marine ecosystems caused by the oil rig blowout in the Gulf
of Mexico. Suddenly, our “threats list” expanded.
As governments, civil society and the public struggle to deal
with the burdens of economic crises and escalating crime
and violence, reef managers struggle to keep the issue of
saving our dying coral reefs on the front burner. Meanwhile,
our planet’s coral reefs are on life support and struggling
to survive, as coral disease and bleaching further reduce
coral cover and we face possible species extinctions due to
massive coral mortality. Rampant pollution, habitat loss
and increases in sea temperature and ocean acidifcation
continue relentlessly in the shadow of a failed COP-:,
that resulted in no concrete political action to aggressively
address the unfolding global climate change crisis.
STATUS: HEALTH OF THE REEF
Te :oo8 Mesoamerican Reef Report Card gave us our
frst comprehensive look at the health of the region’s coral
reef ecosystem and the impact of our management and
stewardship eforts. Te :oo8 Report revealed that our once
pristine reef was now in danger, with more than half of the ,:o
sampled reef sites in ‘poor’ (a,º) or ‘critical’ (oº) condition.
Yet, the a:º reported in ‘fair’ condition gave us some hope
for recovery, and the urgency for an increase in the modest
oº of the Reef currently listed in ‘good’ condition. Te :oo8
comprehensive assessment was based on , indicators of reef
health combined into a single Index.
Regrettably, this :o:o Report Card does not describe a
pattern of recovery but one of further decline in the health
of the Mesoamerican Reef – see pages , to 8 for details. Te
overall condition of the :,o reefs surveyed (and evaluated
with four indicators) found an alarming ,:º of reefs in
‘critical’ condition, ,8º in ‘poor’, :aº in ‘fair’, oº ‘good’ and
:º ‘very good’ condition. Te two Indices produce very
similar results. Five times as many reefs experienced declines
versus improvements in health, as measured by ffy core sites
assessed in both :ooo and :ooo. Regardless of which index
is used the results clearly show more reef deterioration and
call for stronger management actions. Clearly, more of the
numerous ‘fair’ condition sites have declined in condition,
signaling the reef ecosystem may be quickly approaching a
critical tipping-point.
TAKING STOCK: PERCENT OF REEFS IN DIFFERENT CONDITIONS
Very Good Good Fair Poor Critical
41%
47%
6% 6%
0%
8%
21%
40%
1%
30%
2008 Report Card 2010 Report Card
326 sites - 7 indicators
Based on 2005/06 data Based on 2009/10 data
130 sites - 4 indicators
THREATS TO THE REEF
Te list of threats to reef health has grown in scope and
intensity. Te four main threats (over-fshing, coastal
development, inland land clearing and agriculture, and
climate change) identifed in :oo8 continue with growing
intensity. Less than :º of the fsh surveyed in the MAR
were over :o cm (:o inches) long and sharks are now largely
absent. Te invasive lionfsh is now virtually everywhere in
the MAR, although eforts to control this exotic species are
underway throughout the region. Te coastal development
index for :o:o found the amount of modifed areas increased
from ::º to ,aº of the coastal MAR. Climate Change is
already impacting the reef and there is little chance of a
global treaty that will protect coral reefs. Tere is a growing
risk from increasing interest in ofshore oil development.
ACTIONS TO SAFEGUARD THE REEF
Despite the intimidating threats listed above, numerous reef
management actions are working to overturn the reef decline.
Over ,o marine and over ,o coastal protected areas are now
being managed in the MAR. While they cannot protect
against all threats, MPAs do help manage many threats and
help build ecosystem resilience to other threats. As one of the
most threatened and biodiverse ecosystems on the planet,
coral reefs are now being managed with some of the same
tools that have been used with terrestrial endangered species
for decades. Case studies highlighting coral propagation
eforts, natural ‘hope spots’ and community enabled local
conservation successes provide some hope in a sea of
uncertainty.
Our leaders, globally and in the MAR region, must face the
stark reality that ‘business as usual” will ultimately result not
only in the loss of a magnifcent marine ecosystem, but the
loss of income from tourism, costly damage from natural
disasters, and the loss of entire fsh stocks that feed local
people and support their livelihoods. It is just this linkage
between healthy reefs and healthy people (economies,
communities and individuals) that can help catalyze the
transformational policies and actions that are required to
save our magnifcent reef.
3
The grades are calculated by converting the mean data value of each indicator into a condition ranked from one (“critical”) 
to fve ('very good¨). based on the data ranges given in the table below. The development oI the data ranges relied heavily
on the experience. data. and perspectives oI the scientifc review committee convened Ior this eIIort. as well as data Irom
the Atlantic and GulI Rapid ReeI Assessment (AGRRA) database oI over 800 Caribbean reeI sites. The feshy macroalgae
cover thresholds were adopted Irom those being developed Ior the 2011 ReeI ( Risk. originally developed by ReeI Check. It
represents a compromise position between grading Ior the ideal 'pristine¨ reeI conditions and what we can realistically hope
to achieve in modern times and conditions.
SIMPLIFIED INTEGRATED REEF HEALTH INDEX
reshold values by indicator for the Simplified Integrated Reef Health Index (SIHRI).
SIRHI INDICATORS VERY GOOD  GOOD  FAIR POOR  CRITICAL 
Coral Cover () !"# $#%#&'(%( )#%#&)(%( *%#&(%( <5
Fleshy Macroalgal Cover (%) #&#%( )%#&*%# *%)&)$%# )$%)&$* +$*%#
Key Herbivorous Fish (g·100m²)
note: only parrotfish and surgeonfish
!'",# $,,#&'"-( )($#&$,-( (.#&)()( /(.#
Key Commercial Fish (g·100m²)
note: only snapper and grouper
!).,# )$.#&).-( ,"#&)$*( "$#&,'( /"$#
INDICATORS OF REEF HEALTH
r $PSBMDPWFSis a measure of the proportion of reef surface covered by live stony corals, which form the
reef ’s three-dimensional framework. It is the most widely measured indicator.
r 'MFTIZNBDSPBMHBMDPWFS is a measure of the proportion of reef surface covered by feshy algae or
“seaweed”. It is widely collected data along the same transects as coral cover
r )FSCJWPSPVTêTIBCVOEBODF measures the biomass (total weight of fsh per unit area) of surgeonfsh and
parrotfsh, the most important fsh grazers on plants that could overgrow the reef.
r $PNNFSDJBMêTIBCVOEBODF measures the biomass (total weight of fsh per unit area).
SIMPLIFIED INTEGRATED REEF HEALTH INDEX SIRHI
HOW THE GRADES ARE CALCULATED
Measuring reef health is more complex than visiting your family physician for an annual check-up, because scientists are only now
beginning to develop quantitative indicators to evaluate reef health. Indicators are practical, quantitative measures of reef or human
health. Teir purpose is to help translate the abstract concept of well-being into a suite of tangible, rigorously defned quantities
by which progress can be assessed. Scientists analyze trends or spatial comparisons in individual indicators to gain insight into the
most important variables at one site or over an entire region (the results are ofen dependent on the scale of the question).
Te Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initative is one of the frst eforts to develop measurable ranking criteria for indicators of reef
health (see :oo8 Report Card for more information see: www.healthyreefs.org). Te development of a single index value facilitates
the mapping of reef health for a more comprehensive view across the region. It is our “bottom line” of reef health, akin to the Dow
Jones Index in the stock market—not an exact measure of any particular stock, but a very useful indicator of general market trends.
Te “Integrated Reef Health Index” (IRHI) used in our previous report card has been simplifed. Te “Simplifed Integrated Reef
Health Index” (SIRHI) was developed in order to accommodate the use of additional datasets that did not include all seven of the
original IRHI indicators. In particular, coral recruitment, algal heights (needed for the Macroalgal Index), Diadema abundance
and coral disease were not consistently collected at all sites. Te two fsh indicators were replaced with simplifed versions: key
commercial species (snapper + grouper biomass) and key herbivores (parrotfsh + tang / doctor fsh biomass).
4
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6
Fify core reef sites (,: in Belize, 8 in Honduras and ::
in Mexico) were originally surveyed in :ooo and then
resurveyed in :ooo using the AGRRA methodology www.
agrra.org, which included the full seven indicators of reef
heath used in the IRHI Index developed for the :oo8 Report
Card. Te two Indexes of Reef Health shown above were
developed based on this data. Both Reef Health Indices
signal just over a :oº decline in reef condition from :ooo
to :ooo (:.8 to :.: for IRHI and :., to :.: for SIRHI, out of
a possible score of ,). Te SIRHI suggests a slightly more
negative condition – due to the greater weight that the fsh
categories have in the SIRHI (accounting for ~,oº of the
total SIRHI versus :oº of the total IRHI score). Fish biomass
consistently ranks very low in the region. Te SIRHI Index
displays a greater ‘spread’ in the results - meaning sites are
more distributed among condition categories. Both Reef
Health Indices are valuable for tracking reef health and
both signal declines in reef health. While an Index of Reef
Health is a useful tool for summarizing the complexity of
reef indicators into one easy to understand snapshot, it’s
also useful to take a closer look at individual indicators
in order to understand the specifc sources of declines or
improvements.
Coral reefs naturally experience changes – fsh swim in and out of survey sites,
macroalgae have seasonal changes and corals can experience rapid mortality, but slower
growth and recovery. A shif in the overall ‘condition’ category of any reef represents a
more signifcant change. Between :ooo and :ooo, fve times as many of these signifcant
changes in the condition of MAR reefs were declines - not improvements. If this trend
continues we will soon lose the potential to promote the recovery of poor and fair sites
towards good or very good condition. Experience from across the Wider Caribbean has
shown that once reefs fall into a critical state they ofen remain in that condition for
some time. Increasing fsh biomass (i.e., by establishing fully protected replenishment
zones) is the fastest way to improve health and counter these declines.
CHANGES IN REEF HEALTH
0
20
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2006
30
40
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2009
Very Good Good Fair Poor Critical
2006
SIHRI
2009
2.8 2.2 2.7 2.1
62%
OF SITES DECREASED
IN HEALTH (31 SITES)
26%
OF SITES HAD
NO CHANGE (13 SITES)
12%
OF SITES INCREASED
IN HEALTH (6 SITES)
Coral 
Cover
Commercial 
Fish
Herbivorous 
Fish
Fleshy 
Macroalgae
13%
MAR
06 09
18.8%
10% 17.8%
2415 1196
1017 570
Honduras
06 09
1579
4791
73
831
10%
22% 24%
20.3%
Belize
06 09
792 609
1842 1144
9% 17.3%
12% 18.7%
Mexico
06 09
1245.8
2304.5
10%
9%
763
17.4%
15%
822
REEF HEALTH INDICATORS BY COUNTRY
Coral and fleshy algae are expressed as percent of benthic cover; fish are expressed in biomass (g/100m2).
REEF DECLINES OUTPACE IMPROVEMENTS FIVE TO ONE
TWO INDICES ONE STORY A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CHANGES
Te graphic below illustrates changes in four of the key
reef health indicators - coral cover, feshy macroalgal cover,
herbivorous fsh biomass, and commercial fsh biomass.
Te most consistent indicator across all four countries
was feshy macroalgal cover, which was consistently ‘fair’
in :ooo and consistently ‘poor’ in :ooo, with very little
variation at the national scale. Te most notable changes
were the changes in herbivorous (parrot and surgeonfsh)
and commercial fsh (snapper and grouper). Parrotfsh and
surgeonfsh abundances in Honduras increased from :ooo
to :ooo, but overall biomass declined. Te abundance of
seabasses declined over ,oº and snapper abundance also
declined. Encouragingly, the amount of live coral cover
increased in all three countries, with Mexico improving
its condition ranking from ‘poor’ to ‘fair’ and Honduras
maintaining a ‘good’ ranking. Over :o sites in the region had
>:oº coral cover (“good” condition). Coral cover increases
may be related to natural recovery afer hurricanes in Mexico
in :oo, and :oo, and the lack of signifcant coral mortality
resulting from recent coral bleaching events. Tese increases
in coral cover provide hope that with sound management
the reef has a higher likelihood of recovery.

Time is a critical factor in facilitating this recovery. Bold
conservation measures are required to reduce known threats
and enable the reefs the opportunity for survival. Some
important management actions have recently been taken in
the region (see page :o) but there is an urgent need for more
harmonization on a regional scale to secure the future of the
entire Mesoamerican Reef (see pages ::-::).
7
Te term “shifing baselines,” was coined by fsheries
biologist Daniel Pauly in :oo, and is now being widely
applied to a variety of socioeconomic and environmental
issues. A baseline is an important reference point for
measuring the health of ecosystems. It provides information
against which to evaluate change. In an ideal world, the
baseline would be what was there before humans had much
impact. Te crux of the shifing baselines problem is that
many marine baselines have already shifed before scientists
had a chance to document them, leaving today’s scientists
and managers to accept a degraded state as normal - or even
as an improvement afer a disturbance event.
:
Te scientifc examination of the MAR only began around
the early :ooo’s, with a very limited number of studies. Te
condition of the reefs described by these early studies is vastly
diferent from the reefs of today. Despite this ‘somewhat
historical’ perspective, we know the Caribbean reefs of
the :ooo’s were actually far from pristine – as evidenced
by the much earlier records of colonial explorers and later
naturalists.
In the graphs on this page we see three sets of ‘baselines’
from which scientists and managers can evaluate changes
in the amount of living coral over time. Given data for the
past fve years there can be an interpretation of ‘fairly stable”
or modest decline following Hurricane Wilma (:oo,) in
Cancun. Given a longer time series (say a decade or more) as
shown in the six sites from Belize, you may capture more of
the real picture of recent reef changes over time, particularly
since the time series brackets the lingering efect of major
disturbances such as the :oo8 coral bleaching event and
Hurricane Mitch. However, the few data available that were
collected before the :o8os mass mortality/disease outbreaks
that decimated staghorn and elkhorn corals and the black
sea urchin dramatically illustrate the extent of reef decline.
Declines in fsh populations and mega vertebrates (like
manatees and sea turtles) likely occurred much earlier.
Scientists can explore even further back in time. By
studying layers of coral skeletal remains they can see that
the previous three thousand years
had been relatively good and stable
for coral reefs in the MAR. Research
on both lagoonal and barrier reefs
in Belize has demonstrated that
an unprecedented die-of of the
dominant staghorn corals and
their fortuitous replacement by
thin leaf lettuce coral was followed
by the almost complete loss of all
remaining corals during the :oo8
bleaching event. Archeological
evidence also points to a long history
of marine resource exploitation and
degradation in the MAR.
SHIFTING BASELINES AND REEF HEALTH
Data Source: Alejandro Vega Zepeda - CONANP
Data Source: Melanie McField, HRI (:uuz & :uuu); Nadia Bood,
WWF(:oo·) and Clare Fessler, Duke University (:oou)
0
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Bacalar Chico Mexico Rocks
% Live Coral % Macroalgae
Hol Chan
Tackle Box
Southwest Caye
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Middle Caye
TRENDS IN CORAL AND ALGAL COVER
Data Sources: 2, 3, 4.

10 
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P
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Year
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
8
Algae
Coral
CORAL AND ALGAL COVER
ISLA MUJERES-CANCÚN- NIZUC NATIONAL PARK
Data Source: Tim McClanahan, WCS (Glovers Reef), Karen Koltes, Smithsonian Institution (Carrie Bow
Caye), Rich Aronson, FIT (Channel Cayes)
1
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Cat Caye, lagoonal reef
Channel Caye, lagoonal reef 
General Use, Glover’s Reef Atoll
Fully Protected, Glover’s Reef Atoll
Carrie Bow Caye, Barrier Reef 
=8!>?@5;4'@;5!/*'7!'18;<='18A5;
Two decades ago the Mesoamerican Reef Ecosystem was considered
to be in better condition than most other reefs of the Caribbean—but
this distinction is now unwarranted. Many of the reef health indicators
(particularly fish abundance) now fall below the Caribbean average.
Threats such as climate change, coastal development and tourism are
accelerating. Others —such as invasive lionfish — are new, while the risks
of offshore oil exploration are receiving heightened attention after the
disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

Threats are human activities and natural events that directly or indirectly
influence the integrity and health of the reef ecosystem. The combined
impact of these activities and events may have long-term effects on
ecological processes that may hinder a reef ’s ability to recover and persist.
Recovery in the wake of disturbances is being delayed or not observed at
all on many reefs. Disturbances that were once acute in nature (e.g., coral
bleaching or disease outbreaks) are now becoming chronic.
The main threats to the reef are illustrated in the figure below. Threats
of immediate concern in the MAR are further detailed in the following
pages, including invasive lionfish, overfishing of big fish and sharks,
coastal development, climate change and oil exploration. The issue of land
use, agricultural run-off and pollution are not covered in this report card
but will be focused on in the 2012 Report Card. A useful references on
land-based threats can be found at: Watershed Analysis for the Mesoamerican Reef www.wri.org/publication/watershed-
analysis-mesoamerican-reef and http://pdf.wri.org/mar_hydrologic_model_results_english.pdf The long-term persistence
of the MAR’s reef will depend on our ability to minimize and mitigate the impacts of these threats.
INCREASING THREATS TO REEF HEALTH
Conceptual diagram illustrating some of the main threats and human impacts to the health of the Mesoamerican Reef.
pH
9
Coastal development and marine dredging
(causing nutrient, sediment, and other pollution;
and loss of nursery habitat (mangroves, seagrass)
Inland land clearing and agriculture
(increasing pollution from agrochemicals,
sediments, and nutrients, and decreasing
natural riparian buers)
Lionsh have become a problematic invasive
species in the Caribbean. It was rst reported
in the MAR in late 2008
Over-shing (reducing sh populations and
disrupting food webs)
Hurricanes and storms (breakage and removal
of corals)
Rising temperatures (increasing coral
bleaching, diseases, and mortality)
As of October 2010  there is no active oshore
oil drilling in the MAR, although there are
some oshore concessions for exploration
The lionfish (Pterois volitans) is native to the Indo-
Pacific, but is highly prized in the U.S. aquarium trade. It
is considered an invasive species, due to its ability to alter
the structure and composition of biological communities
by out-competing native species and reducing overall
species diversity. Although the lionfish invasion began in
1992, it remained fairly isolated in SE Florida for eight
years then spread up the Atlantic seaboard as far north
as New York. A gradual expansion into Bermuda and
Bahamas ensued, until 2007 when they moved into Cuba
and Turks and Caicos, then invaded Belize at the end of
2008 - followed by an explosive spread through most of
the Caribbean down to Columbia by 2010.
1
The lionfish
now ranges from coastal estuaries to 1,000 foot depths in
the tropical western Atlantic.
Lionfish rapidly colonize here because they have no
natural predators and a rapid rate of reproduction.
Lionfish can lay 30,000 eggs in one spawn and can
spawn every month. Their voracious appetites threaten
to further deplete native fish and lobster stocks. They
consume important reef fish and crustaceans that provide
a source of livelihood for fishermen and an attraction to
the marine tourism industry. Managers are encouraging
fishing of the species and there are some recent reports
of large groupers and moray eels learning to consume
them. Lionfish are also a unique and appetizing delicacy
for people, the venom is contained in the spines, rather
than in the internal organs, so care must be taken only
to avoid their spines while fishing or filleting. These
fish are tenacious and full eradication will be difficult
unless natural controls such as predators, competitors,
parasites or diseases take over. By restoring large grouper
populations and developing an active fishery for the
species we can hope that it will reach an acceptable (to
humans) state of equilibrium within the western Atlantic
marine ecosystem.
2
BEAUTIFUL BUT DEADLY – THE LIONFISH INVASION
10
In Belize, lionfish have invaded practically the
whole reef system in less than two years, from inshore
mangroves out to Lighthouse Reef atoll. Monthly Lionfish
Tournaments encourage competition within two key
stakeholder groups – fishermen and tour guides – while
providing needed statistics. They have landed over 2800
lionfish since May, including over 1100 in August alone.
Roe (eggs) have been found in lionfish that are 20.1 cm
(8.0 in) and larger. In July 2010, 57% of the lionfish
were larger than this size, indicating the population has
enormous breeding potential. Prey samples include
jacks, wrasse, shrimp and crabs. Lionfish are reported to
taste just like snapper and grouper. “Lionfish are always
in season, don’t hesitate to ask for seconds” is one of
the catchy slogans being used to promote consumption
of lionfish. Special signs that indicate “Lionfish Served
Here” are being distributed to encourage restaurants to
offer this tasty fish on their menus. Increasing human
fishing pressure is one way to manage their population.
3
In Honduras, over 530 lionfish were reported in one
survey alone in the Roatan Marine Park between May
2009 and March 2010. Lionfish were present at 6 out of the
21 sites studied, preferring main reef habitats, followed by
patch reefs and sea grass beds. Adult lionfish were found
mostly in coral reef habitats, whereas juveniles inhabited
sea grass habitats. At the micro-habitat scale, lionfish
selected areas dominated by hard coral and overhanging
structures.
4
Lionfish control efforts are successfully
incorporating citizen volunteers. The Reef Environmental
Education Foundation (REEF) has developed a survey
for volunteer divers to record lionfish and other species
as well as certain habitat characteristics. The data being
collected by the Roatan Marine Park and others on
lionfish occurrence and size illustrate a powerful form
of citizen science. Additional surveys to record lionfish
densities, behavior, and habitat relationships would also
benefit managers.
In Mexico, the first lionfish sightings in the Caribbean
occurred in early 2009 in Cozumel and increased along
the Quintana Roo coast during this same year. In 2010,
lionfish were found at Alacranes reef - 50 miles off the
Yucatán coast - as well as along the coast of Campeche.
Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel has a growing
database of over 1200 lionfish caught in Cozumel since
2009. Outside of the Park, over 1000 fish were caught
in September 2010 through a three month temporary
employment program.
5
A regional workshop was held
in August 2010 to generate a strategic plan to control
lionfish throughout the Wider Caribbean Sea, develop
better practices to control lionfish and improve ways to
increase communication and collaboration.
6
Scientific
studies on lionfish behavior are being conducted by
Quintana Roo University to assist in the management of
lionfish in several countries.
7
“Park ranger in Cozumel shows lionfshes caught on the north of
the island”
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11
BIG FISH PLAY A BIG ROLE IN HEALTHY REEFS
Overfishing is a global crisis - over 80%
of the world fisheries are overexploited
or have collapsed.
1
New research has
found that decades of overfishing has
not only decimated our ocean’s fish
populations, but also has reduced
economic revenue and contributed to
global malnutrition, hurting the world’s
poorest people the most.
2
The reasons
to stop unsustainable fishing are more
than just ecological – the implications
to human health and economy are
critical.
Large fish are ecologically very
important because they produce
exponentially more young, thereby
replenishing depleted populations.
For example, a 40 cm grouper might
produce 350,000 young, but if left to reach 60 cm length, it
can produce ~3 million young.
3
In the MAR, 88,354 fishes
were counted along AGRRA transects between 2005 and
2009, but only a startling 1% of these fish were over 40 cm
(~16 inches) in length. This size would not have even been
considered ‘big’ several decades ago. Large snappers and
groupers were exceedingly rare, with most of the larger
fish being chubs, parrotfish and barracudas. The absence
of large fish is one of the main reasons for the low fish
biomass found in the MAR, relative to the SE Caribbean.
4
Herbivorous fishes like parrotfish and surgeonfish are
also ecologically important because they reduce the
A critically endangered Goliath Grouper at West End, Roatan.
“Ninety percent of the big fish are gone – but if we leave them alone they
could come back.” Ron O’Dor, senior scientist at The Census of Marine
Life.
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macroalgae that could overgrow corals and help create
suitable substrate for new corals to recruit. Large
body parrotfish are especially valuable because they
are effective grazers and can occur in large numbers.
Yet these species are also common easy targets for
fisherman. Of the 21,836 parrotfish recorded in the
MAR between 2005 and 2009, more than 80% of
these were <20 cm in length, but only 1% were >40
cm in length. Belize made a landmark step forward
in April 2009 by establishing full legal protection to
parrotfish and surgeonfish – thus safeguarding these
species and ensuring their ability to maintain reef
function.
Fully-protected marine reserves are some of the
last refuges for large fish and serve as critical
replenishment zones. Of the four MAR countries,
Belize currently has the most marine area under full
protection: ~2% territorial sea (12 mile limit) or 4%
(3 mile limit). Scientists have recommended at least
20% of the marine area should be fully protected
in order to maintain key ecological functions and
replenish depleted fish stocks. Increasing the area
under full protection and properly enforcing these
zones is one of the most efficient ways to increase
the biomass of fish, sustain local fisheries and restore
reef health. An international team of scientists has
proposed that banning fishing gear- like spear guns,
fish traps, and nets - could also aid in the recovery
of reefs and fish populations devastated by coral
bleaching events.
5
The team investigated the effects
of five main types of gear and found that spear guns
were the most damaging of all to corals themselves and
to susceptible fish species. In addition, recreational
and non-extractive uses of the ocean such as diving
and sightseeing have growing economic benefits that
should be encouraged as alternatives to unsustainable
fishing.
12
Sharks are top predators and are vital components of
healthy and functional marine ecosystems; they play key
roles in structuring fish communities and fostering reef
resilience by weeding out the smaller and weaker fish
in a population. Shark populations are now in global
decline due primarily to fishing pressure, which is
further compounded by their life history characteristics
of slow growth, longevity, late maturity and low numbers
of offspring. Over half of open-ocean shark species are
considered “threatened with extinction”.
1
Overfishing of
sharks can also trigger a potential for a trophic cascade, a
disruption of the food web that leads to an overabundance
of secondary consumers and a scarcity of prey, both
symptoms of ecosystem imbalance. Information on
shark diversity, abundance and distribution, and current
exploitation levels is sparse. Growing evidence suggests
some shark species, although highly migratory, may return
home, like salmon or sea turtles, to their area of birth or
habitual feeding or mating grounds, during various times
in their lives.
2
These findings have important implications
on how managers can protect sharks and highlights the
importance of conserving essential coastal habitats.
While the Mesoamerican Reef still possesses much of the
reef, coastal and estuarine habitats considered essential
for many sharks, their local populations are rapidly being
impacted by overfishing and by uncontrolled development
in their nursery habitats.
1
Of the estimated 400 species of
sharks described globally, at least 30 species have been
recorded in the MAR. Whale sharks have become a
flagship species of marine conservation in the MAR and
generate considerable ecotourism dollars. A recent study
found that Gladden spit marine reserve, best known for
its whale shark aggregation, produced US$ 4 million in
benefits to tourism businesses, the local community
and tourists in one year. This equates to US$13-29
million over the next 25 years.
3
Important whale shark
aggregations and ecotourism activity also occurs near Hol
Box, Mexico and Utila, Honduras.
A recent study of over 76,340 underwater surveys
carried out by trained REEF volunteer divers between
1993 and 2008 found that human stressors in coastal
areas, potentially dominated by exploitation, have likely
led to the absence of shark populations on many reefs
in the Caribbean. The map below shows the MAR has
relatively few shark sightings as compared to some other
areas. When compared to historical abundances, even as
recently as the 1950’s sharks were ‘‘expected anywhere
at any time’’ in the west-Indian Caribbean; in contrast,
the analysis of contemporary dive surveys indicate that,
with the exception of nurse sharks, sharks are expected
anytime almost nowhere.
Preventing the complete loss of sharks on reefs in
MAR and the Greater Caribbean requires urgent
management measures including bans on gillnets and
longlines and restrictions of shark exports. “The fact
that sharks still occur in densely populated areas where
strong fishing regulations are in place indicates the
possibility of management success and may encourage
the implementation of conservation measures that
would restore sharks together with their ecological and
functional roles on reefs”.
4
SHARKS: MORE VALUABLE ALIVE THAN DEAD
Distribution and sighting frequency of sharks on reefs in the greater-
Caribbean. Shown are sampled : km
:
cells for all species excluding
nurse sharks.
Showing Sharks a Little Respect: In 1998, Honduras fully
protected whale sharks followed by a full ban on all shark
fishing in 2010. Belize protected whale sharks in 2003 and
has banned the use of gears like long lines and gill nets
that are notoriously efficient at catching sharks inside
its marine reserves. In 2008, Mexico prohibited shark
finning and fully protected whale sharks and manta rays
throughout its territorial waters. Mexico also recently
created the Whale Shark Biosphere Reserve - a key
seasonal feeding aggregation of at least 200 whale sharks
- encompassing a surface area of 145,988 acres including
Yum Balam and Holbox protected areas.
Large pregnant female blacktip shark being flleted on No-Name
Caye in Southern Belize. People kill an estimated z: million sharks
for their fns alone - far faster than they can reproduce.
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Significant changes in the state of coastal areas adjacent to the MAR have occurred in the past two years. The 2010 Coastal
Development Index (CDI) shows over 14% percent of the coastline has been highly modified or moderately modified -
nearly double the amount since 2008. The amount of area remaining in a natural state has declined by 25% leaving less than
two-thirds of the coastal area in a natural or only slightly modified state. Areas of high development include the main cities,
tourist areas like the Riveria Maya and Cozumel in Mexico and the Bay Islands in Honduras, and agricultural areas in Stann
Creek, Belize and the North Coast of Honduras. If coastal development continues at this pace, the only large tract of natural,
undeveloped coastline will be inside protected areas like the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve in Mexico.
The higher the CDI, the greater the extent of development and, in general, the greater the risk of environmental degradation.
The lowest possible CDI is zero, indicating an unpopulated, unaltered area and the highest possible CDI is one, indicating
an area of rapid urban or agricultural development.
Geo-referenced aerial photography can be used to detect changes in areas that are too small to be detected through satellite
images. Other types of coastal development, like marine dredging operations, may also need to be mapped through
stakeholder inputs or through linking to permitting agencies.
TRACKING COASTAL DEVELOPMENT
mrxìco
urtìzr
nounuans
cunvrmntn
0
0
50 km
50 miles
N
2010 2008
41% 55%
25% 23%
20% 14%
12% 7%
2% 1%
Consvnt Drvrtormruv Iunrx
Highly modified
Moderately modified
Modified
Slightly modified
Natural
City development
Dredging
Tourism hotspots
Belize City
Chetumal
The Coastal Development Index (CDI) measures the
extent to which humans have altered the landscape in
coastal areas. The CDI is based on:
· Coastal population:
· Coastal land area covered by maìor infrastructure÷
urban or agriculture:
· Lxtent of coastal road-building:
· The rate of coastal population growth: and,
· The rate that natural coastal land is being converted
to a developed state.
Puerto Barrios
14
CLIMATE CHANGE: ALREADY IMPACTING OUR REEF
Oceans cover over 70% of the planet and are the primary
force regulating climate. Oceans have already absorbed
25-50% of our human-created Carbon Dioxide (CO
2
)
emissions and are central to maintaining the planet’s
capacity to keep absorbing CO
2
, but the ocean’s absorptive
capacity may have reached its limit. As a result of human-
created climate change, our oceans are changing drastically
– species are disappearing, diseases are more prevalent,
food web dynamics are disrupted, and overall ocean
productivity is v
Coral reefs, in particular, may sufer catastrophic collapse
from climate change within the next few decades unless
there are major and immediate reductions in greenhouse
gases. Coral bleaching events occur when rising sea
temperatures force corals to expel their symbiotic algae that
provide much of their food. Coral bleaching is expected to
increase in frequency as global climate change increases
ocean temperatures worldwide.
In the Mesoamerican reef corals have experienced
bleaching events in at least 1995, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2008,
2009, and 2010. Te most devastating mass coral bleaching
occurred in 1998 and afected the entire MAR region to
diferent degrees. To determine the extent of impact and
amount of recovery, scientists examined x-rays of coral
core samples to determine the coral’s annual growth rate
records since 1950, including the time before and afer the
1998 major bleaching event. Mountainous star corals on
more healthy reefs in Honduras and Belize were able to
recover and grow normally within 2-3 years afer the major
1998 bleaching event, while those corals living with greater
local impacts, such as pollution and runof from land, were
not able to fully recover afer 8 years.
2

Corals that are “stressed out” by pollution and overfshing
are less likely to recover from coral bleaching events
and may be more susceptible to other disturbances. Te
reduction of localized stressors like sedimentation, nutrient
pollution and overfshing that comes from poor coastal
e rapidly rising ocean temperatures caused by global warming increase the likelihood of more frequent and more devastating
coral bleaching events, adding to the bleaching that has already reduced coral cover and vitality on the Mesoamerican Reef. Rising
temperatures may also increase the prevalence of coral and fish disease and contribute to harmful algal blooms that impact human
health and fisheries.
As more atmospheric carbon dioxide becomes dissolved in seawater, the oceans become more acidic - dramatically altering ocean
chemistry. Marine organisms such as conchs, urchins, and corals will need to use more energy to grow their shells and skeletons, and
will grow more slowly under these conditions, leading to an anticipated – reduction in coral calcification by . A recent
laboratory study found that crustose coralline algae (important for cementing the reef and facilitating the settlement of baby corals)
and some corals were also more affected by bleaching under higher CO.


e Mesoamerican reef has weathered many damaging storms and hurricanes. As seas continue to warm, the intensity (and possibly
frequency) of storms and hurricanes could bring an increase in flood and high wave energy events that can devastate coastal communities
and reefs, and leave insufficient time for coral recovery between events.
As the deeper reefs become more submerged by rising sea levels, diminished light penetration will probably leave these reefs unable to
grow fast enough to keep pace. Shallow coastal lagoons and reefs may be dramatically altered by the submergence of coastal barriers that
naturally maintain the integrity of these ecosystems.
pH
Average coral growth rate (solid lines) and 95% confidence intervals (shading).
Sapodilla and Utila remain suppressed after the 1998 bleaching event (p<0.001).
Adapted from Carilli et al. (2009)
Turneffe
Cayos Cochinos
Sapodilla
Utila
{
{
Healthier
Stressed
and fsheries management practices can help buy time for
reefs, while global CO
2
reduction eforts take efect. Te
design and location of marine reserves can be focused on
protecting coral reef areas that are naturally more resilient
to coral bleaching.
Approximately 17% of all global greenhouse gas emissions
come from the destruction of tropical forests. Mangroves
are a tiny fraction of these forests but are up to six times
more efective at capturing carbon per hectare than
undisturbed rainforests.
3
Maintaining and replanting
mangroves are an optimal strategy of climate mitigation
that has many other social and economic benefts (for
fsheries, coastal protection, tourism). Mangroves are now
being included in the carbon sequestration trading schemes
that enable tropical countries to receive carbon credit
payments for conserving these ecosystems (tidal wetlands
and seagrass beds are also marine carbon sinks that could
potentially be quantifed in the carbon market). Scientists
are calling for dramatic and immediate steps to reduce CO
2

emissions and enhance nature’s capacity to absorb CO
2
. Te
ecologically signifcant target of a maximum of 350 ppm
CO
2
(~equivalent to 1.5°C warming) must be achieved if
the ocean and reefs are to survive.
15
The threat of offshore oil drilling to marine ecosystems,
even substantial distances away from the rigs, has been
horribly demonstrated through the April 2010 Deep
Horizon spill in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. That
environmental, social and economic catastrophe has
catalyzed discussion across the Mesoamerican region
about the current status and risks of offshore drilling in
the MAR. The following summarizes our best available
knowledge as to the status of concessions and activities
in the MAR.
In Mexico, the state-owned oil company, Petróleos
Mexicanos (PEMEX), has continued and intensified
exploratory activities in the coastal plain, continental
platform and deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where
the acquisition and interpretation of geological and
geophysical information have permitted the estimation
of the extent of petroleum potential in all of Mexico.
The exploratory strategy is directed to the basins of the
Southeast and the Deep Gulf of Mexico, outside the MAR
region. Prior to the Deep Horizon spill, the IXTOC oil rig
explosion, which occurred in the Southeast basins, was
the world’s largest oil spill. It was caused by a blow-out of
an exploratory well, IXTOC, drilling in 150 feet of water
which belched crude oil for 297 days, dumping nearly 3
million barrels (126 million gallons/477 million liters)
of oil into the southern Gulf of Mexico, some of which
eventually washed up on the Texas coast. The PEMEX
strategy continues focusing on the exploitation of known
reserves in the Gulf of Mexico, although there was some
interest to explore around Alacranes Reef, which is within
the MAR.
In Guatemala, there are currently 12 areas that have been
identified for oil and gas exploration, and six of them
will be open to tender for concessions shortly. Although
there are three sites in the Pacific Ocean, these will not
be included in the tender offer. The Vice-Minister of
Mining and Hydrocarbons recently indicated that the
tender process had been delayed because some of the
zone boundaries were modified to avoid protected areas.
This boundary redefinition occurred after a much-
publicized reauthorization of a terrestrial oil-drilling
license inside the Laguna del Tigre Protected Area in the
Maya Biosphere Reserve, Peten, which was considered by
several sectors as illegal. There are no known plans for
offshore oil exploration in the Caribbean.
Belize has the most prolific concession strategy in
the region, with the entire offshore marine territory
being divided up into seven concession blocks. Seismic
testing is currently or soon to be underway in several
blocks, while exploratory wells are planned for 2012 at
the earliest. The Belize Coalition to Save our Natural
Heritage, an alliance of over 40 grassroots, business, labor
and environmental groups, has called on the government
to change its policy of exploitation in the offshore and
in protected areas and improve environmental and safety
management requirements in the remaining areas. The
group has recently launched a petition to hold a national
referendum on the issue.
Honduras has been debating a new law to regulate all oil
exploration and exploitation since February of 2009. The
National Congress has been swamped with requests from
environmental and social groups to limit oil prospecting
within the boundaries of protected areas, and establish
safeguards and economic guarantees to remediate any
impacts on natural resources on which the communities
depend. Oil companies, on the other hand, are requesting
to expand prospecting sites to include protected areas as
well as continental waters within the country’s EEZ. Debate
was further fueled when former president Manuel Zelaya
signed a deal allowing Petroleum Geo-Services ASA of
Norway to explore for oil 10 kms off the Honduran coast.
It is presently unclear if this permit is currently in effect.
Four other companies, Petróleos de Venezuela, Chevron,
PEMEX and Petrobras have expressed their desire to
explore for oil. According to Mr. Tomas Vaquero, former
Minister of Natural Resources, an area of 8,000 km
2
is
currently being explored in the Honduran Caribbean.
No official information is available on the government’s
policy or on whether any concessions have actually been
granted.
THE LURE OF BLACK GOLD UNDER THE BLUE SEA
Ofshore Oil development - with rigs, barges and pipelines - are now part of the seascape in the Gulf of Mexico and threaten to come to the MAR.
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MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
Marine protected areas (MPAs) - underwater parks where fishing and other potentially harmful activities are regulated -
are an effective tool of marine conservation, with over 4,600 MPAs established globally.
1
They aim to protect biodiversity,
critical habitats, and ecosystem processes and give local communities a formal role in the management of these resources.
A large body of scientific evidence has documented that MPAs generally achieve these goals, with the biomass, or the mass
of animals and plants, increasing an average of 446%.
2
A recent global study found that, on average, coral cover in protected
areas remained constant, but declined on unprotected reefs.
1
The benefit to corals takes about a decade longer than the
benefit for commercial species such as fish, which generally increase in 4-5 years. When we also consider the popularity
of MPAs for dive tourism, enhancement of food security, livelihoods, education and research, the full benefits of MPAs are
enormous.
The use of networks of marine reserves, including substantial areas of fully-protected (no-take) zones or fisheries
replenishment zones, is rapidly becoming an important tool to help natural marine recovery processes around the world.
Nevertheless – ocean lags far behind the land in the overall protection: about 0.6% inside MPAs (with < 0.01% fully-
protected) versus about 12% of land under protection. Recommended targets for the area under full protection range from
20-40% of marine area, to maximize ecological and economic benefits. There are over 30 designated MPAs covering about
8% of the marine territory in the MAR. However the percent of marine territory under full protection is much less than 1%.
Ria Lagartos
Yum Balam
Isla Contoy
Isla Mujeres
Punta Cancún
Punta Nizuc
Puerto Morelos
Cozumel
Sian Ka’an
Arrecifes
de
Sian Ka’an
Banco
Chinchorro
Xcalak
Hol Chan
Caye Caulker
Blue Hole
Halfmoon Caye
Glovers Reef
Sapodilla Cayes
Omoa Baracoa
Cuera y Salado
Utila
Roatan
Capiro Calentura
Rio Platano
Guanaja
Cusuco
Punta de
Manabique
Gladden Spit and
Silk Cayes
Southwater Caye
Laughing Bird Caye
Port Honduras
Swallow Caye
Bacalar Chico
Santuario del Manati
Corozal Bay
In México, an important movement of NGOs,
small-scale fishing organizations, researchers and
government authorities, has begun to develop
with the goal to design a network of fisheries
refugees (no-take), to be established under the
Fisheries Law. This collaborative effort will involve
implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of
these zones, working in a ‘bottom-up’ partnership
with fishing communities and the tourism
sector. This functional network should include
a meaningful percentage of critical reef areas to
enhance the few existing fully protected zones
inside established MPAs.
4
There are ‘hope spots’ in the region, including one
“very good” and ten “good” sites, mostly inside
MPA’s. One site that is located about a kilometer
away from one of the largest fully protected zones
in Belize (Laughing Bird Caye National Park) went
from “critical” to “good” condition. The reasons
for this increase in health were largely due to
higher fish biomass (both groups) in 2009 versus
2006.
Marine area  
protected 
(km
2
)
Percent 
protected
Percent 
“no take”
Territorial 
sea (km
2
)
19,454
18,848
1,565
24,287
64,154
1,972
2,542
10
612
5,136
10%
13%
1%
3%
8%
~ <1%
~ 2%
~ 0%
~ 1%
1%
Mexico 
Belize 
Guatemala 
Honduras 
MAR Total
Data Source
2,3,4
estimate
SAFEGUARDING MARINE BIODIVERSITY
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (or The IUCN
Red List) is the world’s most comprehensive information
source on the global conservation status of plant and
animal species. It is based on an objective system
for assessing the risk of extinction of a species if no
conservation action is taken. In 2006 there were 5 critically
endangered, 6 endangered, and 16 vulnerable marine
species in the MAR. Despite strengthened conservation
efforts, the changes in only four years are discouraging. In
2010, the numbers have grown to 7 critically endangered,
7 endangered, and 17 vulnerable marine species in the
MAR. Many of these species have actually not been re-
evaluated since 2006.
One-third of reef-building corals face extinction. The two
Caribbean acroporid species (staghorn and elkhorn coral)
were listed as Critically Endangered in September 2007
based on a population reduction exceeding 80% over the
past 30 years due primarily to the effects of disease, as
well as other climate change and human-related factors.
The ecological implications of their decline are enormous
– these two coral species are the primary shallow “reef
builders” - forming the foundation of entire reefs
including the protective emergent barriers to storms.
Marine conservationists are taking more dramatic actions
to save these species from possible extinction.
The other main reef framework builder, boulder star coral
was also listed as Endangered, meaning the species is
believed to have undergone a decline exceeding 50% over
the past 30 years due to disease and bleaching, as well as
other anthropogenic-related factors. Due to their extreme
longevity, low rates of recruitment and long generation
times, the potential for population recovery is limited. If
current trends continue, this species may warrant listing
in a higher category of threat.
The major threat to corals is global climate change, in
particular, temperature extremes leading to bleaching
and increased susceptibility to disease, increased severity
of storms, and ocean acidification.
1
Unfortunately, more
corals from the Pacific and Caribbean (pending completed
data assessments) are expected to be included on the
next Red List update since many species are currently
considered to be data deficient.
2
More dramatic actions
are needed to save endangered corals from possible
extinction. These actions include the development of
coral nurseries that propagate these local species for out-
planting onto local reefs to more sophisticated efforts
of freezing coral sperm and eggs as a bank of genetic
material.
While much effort has recently been focused on the newly
listed ‘endangered’ corals, attention to endangered fish
is lacking. In fact, active fisheries are still underway in
the MAR for the critically endangered goliath grouper
(jewfish), the endangered Nassau grouper and several
vulnerable species such as triggerfish, hogfish, cubera
and mutton snappers. Clearly making MPAs that protect
important spawning aggregations of these species (like
Glovers Reef, Gladden Spit and Caye Bokel in Belize;
Cordelia Banks and Sandy Bay-West End Marine Reserve
in Honduras) are all the more important. Some marine
life, including the sawfish, are so depleted there is no
more fishery because none can be found. The last sawfish
reported in Belize was over 15 years ago. Their historical
aggregations in Chetumal Bay are legendary but gone.
While most endangered terrestrial wildlife are valued as
conservation icons and are fully protected from hunting,
these threatened marine life are being fished commercially
and recreationally. There is an urgent need to develop
similar public appreciation and legal protection for
endangered marine life.
SPECIES
Epinephelus itajara - Goliath grouper
Pristis perotteti - Largetooth sawfish
Dermochelys coriacea - Leatherback seaturtle
Eretmochelys imbricata - Hawksbill seaturtle
Hyporthodus nigritus* - Warsaw grouper
Acropora cervicornis - Staghorn coral
Acropora palmata - Elkhorn coral
Caretta caretta - Loggerhead seaturtle
Pristis pectinata Smalltooth sawfish
Chelonia mydas - Green seaturtle
Lepidochelys olivacea - Olive Ridley seaturtle
Pagrus pagrus - Red porgy
Epinephelus striatus - Nassau grouper
Montastrea annularis - Boulder star coral
2010 STATUS
CE
CE
CE
CE
CE
CE
CE
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
CE- Critically Endangered E- Endangered
*Formerly Epinephelus nigritus
17
!
Montastrea annularis Eretmochelys imbricata Epinephelus striatus Acropora palmata
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18
CORDELIA  NEWLY DISCOVERED CORAL FOREST
Cordelia Banks is a group of three coralline banks located
off the southern coast of Roatán Island (Honduras). One
of banks alone extends over an impressive 52 acres of
thriving marine life, made possible by a healthy “forest” of
the prolific staghorn coral, which in spite of its proximity
to the shore and heavy human activity, has been spared
from the population crash caused by disease throughout
the Caribbean. There is a good chance that Cordelia
boasts the largest living stand of staghorn coral in the
Caribbean. Just to the east of the Cordelia Banks lies one
of the last productive grouper and snapper reproductive
aggregation sites on the southern coast of Roatán, where
upwards of 200 individuals have been seen displaying
spawning behavior. Another nearby dive site is home to a
large group of gray reef sharks. This amazing biodiversity
is all the more curious given its location right between
two busy towns – French Harbour and Coxen Hole – and
directly in front of two active cruise ship docks!
Protecting and managing Cordelia Banks is a major goal
of several conservation organizations working in concert
with local authorities. A sound marine recreation plan
could secure the integrity and financial viability of this
unique area. Organizations such as the World Wildlife
Fund, the Roatán Marine Park, Coral Reef Alliance, MAR
Fund and others are actively working to defend this jewel
of our Mesoamerican Reef. For more information visit:
www.roatanmarinepark.com
FRAGMENTS OF HOPE
In 2006, Caribbean staghorn and elkhorn corals were the first
coral species to be officially listed by international conservation
authorities as critically endangered– signaling they are just one
step away from becoming extinct in the wild. The good news is that
these corals are the fastest growing of all “reef building” species
in the Caribbean, as they naturally reproduce asexually through
fragmentation. Reef restoration projects in Belize since 2006 have
taken advantage of nature’s ability to affix loose coral fragments
back to the reef after damage from storms or ship groundings. In
Mexico this technique was used after Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and
Wilma (2005).
In Belize, researchers began scaling these efforts up by establishing
11 coral nurseries in 2009. Staghorn and elkhorn corals can
produce upward of 300% of their original mass in just ONE year
using artificial substrates (e.g., ropes, metal frames and cement
discs on tables). These restoration efforts in Belize emphasize the
search for genotypes that are the strongest and most naturally
resistant to global climate change and disease. We need to expand
this strategy throughout the Caribbean Basin. A promising
example is the Laughing Bird Caye National Park in southern
Belize, which enjoys full protection (no fishing allowed). Research
shows that in areas where lobster and other predators have been
wiped out, coral-eating snails flourish, thus endangering nature’s
natural balance. Replenishment zones such as Laughing Bird need
to be encouraged and supported.
Carrying out a survey of live cover of staghorn coral in Cordelia
Banks, alongside Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) and
the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL). Tis one bank was estimated to
cover an area of ·: acres.
A coral nursery frame at Laughing Bird Caye National Park,
Belize showing one year’s growth of staghorn corals that
began as :ocm fragments.
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For reef managers and local stakeholders who are increasingly disheartened about the fate of the Reef, this project is giving
hope, as coral restoration using simple, relatively inexpensive techniques represents a replicable strategy that can be taken
on by all stakeholders, including marine tour guides, marine reserve staff, and trained volunteers. As these undersea coral
architects expand and recover, they will build habitat for other organisms, increase structure for fisheries, and better protect
coastlines. For more information contact: [email protected]
For technical references visit www.healthreefs.org
19
AKUMAL COLLABORATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Akumal – “the place of the turtle” in Maya– is a quaint
coastal resort town south of Playa del Carmen (Mexico)
that provides important feeding grounds for juvenile
Green turtles, as well as nesting beach for Loggerhead
and Green turtles. Over the past ten years, this area has
witnessed substantial tourism growth, with controls
and regulations lagging behind. Local residents have
become tour operators overnight, but most have not
complied with existing tourism, safety, and even business
regulations. In many areas, waste water treatment plants
were lacking or were inadequate, with wastewater being
deep-injected into the ground, mixed with groundwater,
then and making its way to sea.
Since 1993, Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA), a Mexican
nonprofit environmental organization, has been working
to make Akumal a replicable model for environmental
sustainability through research, capacity building and
policy. In close partnership with other environmental
organizations, CEA is working with the municipal, state
and federal government to study the underground water
flows, water quality and impact on the Reef, ensure
adequate number and operation of waste water treatment
plants, strong law enforcement on waste water treatment,
and to improve existing legal frameworks.
In Akumal Bay, a sound management program is in
operation. Local stakeholders (i.e., hotels, dive shops,
local tour operators, government agencies and CEA)
have come together to better understand and direct
natural resource use in the Bay to ensure environmental
sustainability. The program is carried out through formal
agreements among CEA, the tourism industry, and the
Mexican Federal Agency for the Environment and Natural
Resources (SEMARNAT). This innovative community-
based program integrates for the first time into one
single plan private property, federal concession and
marine tourism rights and responsibilities that previously
were handled in disarray under a myriad of laws and
regulations. This management program allows for local
administration of a local marine area. The agreements
create a commitment by each stakeholder to participate
in local tourism practices within a framework of federal
environmental and business laws, even though the area is
not an officially decreed federal marine protected area.
Building on the experience and results to date of
this unprecedented cooperation among sectors and
stakeholder, the next shared goal is to establish a formal
marine turtle refuge, with proper zoning for various
activities to protect the entire Akumal Bay complex, while
securing financial sustainability through the exploration
of innovative “payment for ecosystem services” (PES)
schemes. For more information visit: www.ceakumal.org
Healthy coral reefs are the most brilliant, exhilarating, and diverse concentrations
of life in the known universe. They hold astonishing numbers of fishes, including
large groupers and sharks. A few reefs in the very remote Pacific are still this way but
Caribbean reefs are suffering. In half a lifetime, they’ve been drained of their color,
interest and value by our abuse. Today, the best reefs hold a quarter of the amount
of fish they should and are covered by a monotone palette of brown seaweed instead
of vivid corals. We can bring back the parrotfish, urchins, big fish and clean water to
the reefs. We can create more and better-enforced reserves and protect mangroves and
seagrass nursery areas. We can take better care of the land and stem pollution, allowing
for healthier reefs and a healthier Caribbean Sea. Dr. Les Kaufman, Boston University /
Conservation International. 9/2010
Picturesque Akumal Bay, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, is
a model of cooperation and sustainability.
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CONTRIBUTORS
RECOGNITION OF REEF MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
The Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative recognizes these outstanding reef management
efforts, implemented in the last several years within the MAR.
In 2009 Belize fully protected key reef grazers (all parrotfish and tangs/doctor fish) to promote reef health;
and fully protected the main sports fish (tarpon, bonefish and permit) to safeguard the valuable sports
fishing industry.
In 2009 Belize approximately doubled the marine area under full protection by implementing such zones
in the Southwater Caye, Sapodilla Cayes and Caye Caulker Marine Reserves.
In 2009 Guatemala completed its Coastal and Marine Policy, which was approved through a governmental
decree. The design of the strategy and action plan is under development.
In 2010 Guatemala issued a five-year moratorium on the fishing of sea cucumber.
In 2010 Honduras issued a complete and permanent moratorium on fishing of all sharks.
In 2010 Honduras signed the parliamentary degree to solidify the Bay Islands Protected areas.
In 2008 Mexico declared the 4,257 hectares “Manglares de Nichupté” protected area, which is located
between Cancun town and hotel zone, nearby to Isla Mujeres-Cancun-Nizuc National Park. In 2009, it was
listed as a RAMSAR site for the international importance of its wetlands and mangroves, supporting four
mangrove species, one palm and four animal species protected by the Mexican law.
In 2009 Mexico created the Whale Shark Biosphere Reserve, located in front of the north coast region of
Quintana Roo, extending from the previous protected area of Yum Balam to Holbox covering an additional
surface area of 145,988 acres.
20
Melanie McField Healthy Reefs Initiative Director
Patricia Kramer, Perigee Environmental, Editor
Ian Drysdale Healthy Reefs Initiative Honduras
Marisol Rueda, Healthy Reefs Initiative Mexico
Armeid Thompson, Healthy Reefs Initiative Belize
Joaquin De La Torre, Communications consultant
Edita Pariente, Graphic design, Dolphin Productions
Reef Health Indicators: Judy Lang and Ken Marks, AGRRA
Shifting Baselines: Les Kaufman, Judy Lang; Alejandro Vega
Zepeda, CONANP.
Lionfish: Ricardo Gómez Lozano, Abelardo Brito – CONANP
Cozumel; Marilú López Mejía, UQROO Cozumel; Chris Biggs,
Julian Olden, Lionfish Study Roatan; Linda Searle, EcoMar Belize.
Sharks: Rachel Graham, WCS; Peter Wilcox and Giacomo
Palavicini - Shark Legacy Project
CDI and MPA map: Emil Cherrington, CATHALAC
Oil: Julie Stockbridge, Oceana
MPA: Luis Bourillón Moreno, Citlali García Sotelo, Comunidad y
Biodiversidad (COBI).
Success stories: Lisa Carne, research consultant, Coral Nurseries;
Jenny Myton, Banco Cordelia; Paul Sánchez-Navarro Russell -
Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA).
International Steering Committee
María José González, MAR FUND
Carlos Saavedra, Summit Foundation
Imani Fairweather Morrison, Oak Foundation
Nadia Bood, World Wildlife Fund
Janet Gibson, Wildlife Conservation Society
Fernando Secaira, The Nature Conservancy
Les Kaufman, Conservation International
Patricia Kramer, Perigee Environmental
Valerie Paul, Smithsonian Institution
Citation
Healthy Reefs Initiative (2010) Report Card for the
Mesoamerican Reef
Tis publication is printed by Franklin Communications,
LLC, on FSC certifed paper, using 10% PCW and soy-based
inks. @ Smihsonian Institution, November 2010
** Focal group meeting and consultations were held with partners in each country. A full list of these contributors is
found in the Online supplemental 2010 Report Card. For the full list of participants see: www.healthyreefs.org
Cover Photo; top half: © CAVUSITE.ORG / bottom half: Melanie McField
REVIEWERS
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C O L A B O R A D O R E S
M e l a n i e M c F i e l d , D i r e c t o r a I n i c i a t i v a A r r e c i f e s S a l u d a b l e s
P a t r i c i a K r a m e r , P e r i g e e E n v i r o n m e n t a l , E d i t o r a
I a n D r y s d a l e , I n i c i a t i v a A r r e c i f e s S a l u d a b l e s H o n d u r a s
M a r i s o l R u e d a , I n i c i a t i v a A r r e c i f e s S a l u d a b l e s M é x i c o
A r m e i d T h o m p s o n , I n i c i a t i v a A r r e c i f e s S a l u d a b l e s B e l i c e
J o a q u i n D e L a T o r r e , O f i c i a l d e C o m u n i c a c i ó n
E d i t a P a r i e n t e , D i s e ñ o G r á f i c o , D o l p h i n P r o d u c t i o n s
I n d i c a d o r e s d e S a l u d d e l A r r e c i f e :
J u d y L a n g a n d K e n M a r k s , A G R R A
C a m b i o s e n L í n e a B a s e : L e s K a u f m a n , J u d y L a n g ; A l e j a n d r o
V e g a Z e p e d a , C O N A N P .
P e z L e ó n : R i c a r d o G ó m e z L o z a n o , A b e l a r d o B r i t o – C O N A N P
C o z u m e l ; M a r i l ú L ó p e z M e j í a , U Q R O O C o z u m e l ; C h r i s B i g g s ,
J u l i a n O l d e n , E s t u d i o P e z L e ó n R o a t á n ; L i n d a S e a r l e ,
E c o M a r B e l i c e .
T i b u r o n e s : R a c h e l G r a h a m , W C S ; P e t e r W i l c o x a n d G i a c o m o
P a l a v i c i n i - S h a r k L e g a c y P r o j e c t
M a p a s I D C y A P M ’ s : E m i l C h e r r i n g t o n , C A T H A L A C
P e t r ó l e o : J u l i e S t o c k b r i d g e , O c e a n a
A P M : L u i s B o u r i l l ó n M o r e n o , C i t l a l i G a r c í a S o t e l o , C o m u n i d a d y
B i o d i v e r s i d a d ( C O B I )
H i s t o r i a s d e É x i t o : L i s a C a r n e , c o n s u l t o r a d e i n v e s t i g a c i ó n ,
J a r d i n e s d e C o r a l ; J e n n y M y t o n , B a n c o C o r d e l i a ; P a u l S á n c h e z -
N a v a r r o R u s s e l l - C e n t r o E c o l ó g i c o A k u m a l ( C E A ) .
C o m i t é D i r e c t i v o I n t e r n a c i o n a l
M a r í a J o s é G o n z á l e z , M A R F U N D
C a r l o s S a a v e d r a , F u n d a c i ó n S u m m i t
I m a n i F a i r w e a t h e r M o r r i s o n , F u n d a c i ó n O a k
N a d i a B o o d , F o n d o M u n d i a l d e l a C o n s e r v a c i ó n
J a n e t G i b s o n , W i l d l i f e C o n s e r v a t i o n S o c i e t y
F e r n a n d o S e c a i r a , T h e N a t u r e C o n s e r v a n c y
L e s K a u f m a n , C o n s e r v a c i ó n I n t e r n a c i o n a l
P a t r i c i a K r a m e r , P e r i g e e E n v i r o n m e n t a l
V a l e r i e P a u l , I n s t i t u t o S m i t h s o n i a n
C i t a
I n i c i a t i v a A r r e c i f e s S a l u d a b l e s ( 2 0 1 0 ) . R e p o r t e d e l a
S a l u d E c o l ó g i c a d e l A r r e c i f e M e s o a m e r i c a n o .
E s t a p u b l i c a c i ó n h a s i d o i m p r e s a p o r F r a n k l i n C o m m u n i c a t i o n s ,
L L C , e n p a p e l c e r t i c a d o p o r l a F S C , u s a n d o 1 0 % d e d e s e c h o
p o s t - c o n s u m o y t i n t a s a b a s e d e s o y a .
* * S e r e a l i z a r o n r e u n i o n e s c o n g r u p o s f o c a l e s y c o n s u l t a s c o n l o s a s o c i a d o s e n c a d a p a í s . U n a l i s t a c o m p l e t a d e e s t o s c o l a b o r a d o r e s s e
e n c u e n t r a e n e l S u p l e m e n t o e n L í n e a d e l R e p o r t e 2 0 1 0 . P a r a l a l i s t a c o m p l e t a d e p a r t i c i p a n t e s v i s i t e : w w w . h e a l t h y r e e f s . o r g
F o t o d e p o r t a d a : m i t a d s u p e r i o r : © C A V U S I T E . O R G h t t p : / / c a v u s i t e . o r g / m i t a d i n f e r i o r : M e l a n i e M c F i e l d
R E V I S I Ó N
F S C L O G O H E R E
R E C O N O C I M I E N T O A L A S A C C I O N E S D E M A N E J O E N
L O S A R R E C I F E S
L a i n i c i a t i v a A r r e c i f e s S a l u d a b l e s p a r a G e n t e S a l u d a b l e h a c e u n r e c o n o c i m i e n t o a l o s e s f u e r z o s s o b r e s a l i e n t e s q u e
a p a r e c e n a c o n t i n u a c i ó n , l l e v a d o s a c a b o e n e l S A M d u r a n t e l o s ú l t i m o s a ñ o s p a r a l o g r a r u n m a n e j o a d e c u a d o d e l a r r e c i f e :
E n e l 2 0 0 9 , e n B e l i c e s e p r o t e g i ó a l o s p e c e s c l a v e p a r a e l f o r r a j e o d e l a r r e c i f e ( t o d o s l o s p e c e s l o r o y l o s p e c e s c i r u j a n o ) ,
c o n e l f i n d e f o m e n t e r l a s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e . A d e m á s s e p r o t e g i e r o n t o t a l m e n t e l o s p e c e s o b j e t o d e l a p e s c a d e p o r t i v a
( t a r p o n e s , m a c a b í s y p a l o m e t a s ) p a r a p r e s e r v a r e s t a v a l i o s a i n d u s t r i a .
E n e l 2 0 0 9 , e n B e l i c e c a s i s e d u p l i c ó e l á r e a m a r i n a t o t a l m e n t e p r o t e g i d a , i m p l e m e n t a n d o r e s e r v a s m a r i n a s c o m o
S o u t h w a t e r C a y e , S a p o d i l l a C a y e s y C a y e C a u l k e r .
E n e l 2 0 0 9 , e n G u a t e m a l a s e c o m p l e t ó l a P o l í t i c a C o s t e r a y M a r i n a , a p r o b a d a p o r m e d i o d e u n d e c r e t o g u b e r n a m e n t a l .
L a e s t r a t e g i a y e l p l a n d e a c c i ó n s e e s t á n e l a b o r a n d o e n l a a c t u a l i d a d .
E n e l 2 0 1 0 , e n G u a t e m a l a s e e m i t i ó u n a m o r a t o r i a a l a p e s c a d e l p e p i n o d e m a r .
E n e l 2 0 1 0 , e n H o n d u r a s s e e m i t i ó u n a m o r a t o r i a c o m p l e t a y p e r m a n e n t e a l a p e s c a d e t o d a c l a s e d e t i b u r o n e s .
E n e l 2 0 1 0 , e n H o n d u r a s s e f i r m ó e l D e c r e t o d e l C o n g r e s o m e d i a n t e e l c u a l s e c o n s o l i d a n l a s á r e a s p r o t e g i d a s d e l a s I s l a s
d e l a B a h í a .
E n e l 2 0 0 8 , e n M é x i c o s e d e c l a r a r o n c o m o á r e a p r o t e g i d a l a s 4 , 2 5 7 h e c t á r e a s d e l o s “ M a n g l a r e s d e N i c h u p t é ” – s i t u a d o s
e n t r e l a c i u d a d d e C a n c ú n y l a z o n a h o t e l e r a , c e r c a d e l P a r q u e N a c i o n a l I s l a M u j e r e s - C a n c ú n - N i z u c . E n e l 2 0 0 9 , s e
i n c l u y ó e n l a l i s t a d e s i t i o s R A M S A R , p o r l a i m p o r t a n c i a q u e t i e n e n s u s h u m e d a l e s y m a n g l a r e s a n i v e l i n t e r n a c i o n a l .
E n e l l o s c r e c e n c u a t r o e s p e c i e s d e m a n g l a r , u n a e s p e c i e d e p a l m a y c u a t r o e s p e c i e s d e a n i m a l e s p r o t e g i d o s p o r l a s l e y e s
m e x i c a n a s .
E n e l 2 0 0 9 , s e e s t a b l e c i ó e n M é x i c o l a R e s e r v a d e l a B i ó s f e r a d e l T i b u r ó n B a l l e n a , u b i c a d a f r e n t e a l a c o s t a n o r t e d e
Q u i n t a n a R o o , d e s d e e l á r e a d e p r o t e c c i ó n d e f l o r a y f a u n a Y u m B a l a m , h a s t a H o l b o x , o b t e n i e n d o u n a e x t e n s i ó n a d i c i o n a l
d e 5 9 , 0 7 9 h e c t á r e a s .
2 0
P a r a r e f e r e n c i a s t é c n i c a s v i s i t e w w w . h e a l t h r e e f s . o r g
1 9
A K U M A L  C O L A B O R A C I Ó N P A R A L A S O S T E N I B I L I D A D
A k u m a l – “ e l l u g a r d e l a s t o r t u g a s ” e n M a y a – e s u n c e n t r o d e
r e c r e a c i ó n m a r i n o u b i c a d o a l s u r d e P l a y a d e l C a r m e n ( M é x i c o )
d o n d e s e u b i c a n s i t i o s d e i m p o r t a n c i a p a r a l a a l i m e n t a c i ó n d e
l a s t o r t u g a s v e r d e s j u v e n i l e s , a s í c o m o u n a p l a y a d o n d e a n i d a n
l a s t o r t u g a s c a g u a m a o a m a r i l l a s y v e r d e s . D u r a n t e l o s ú l t i m o s
d i e z a ñ o s , e n e s t a á r e a h a s u r g i d o u n a u m e n t o c o n s i d e r a b l e
d e t u r i s m o , m i e n t r a s q u e l o s c o n t r o l e s y r e g l a m e n t o s n o h a n
e v o l u c i o n a d o . L o s r e s i d e n t e s s e h a n c o n v e r t i d o e n o p e r a d o r e s
d e t u r i s m o d e l a n o c h e a l a m a ñ a n a , p e r o l a m a y o r í a n o c u m p l e n
c o n l o s r e g l a m e n t o s d e t u r i s m o , s e g u r i d a d y c o m e r c i o . E n
m u c h a s á r e a s , n o h a y p l a n t a s d e t r a t a m i e n t o d e a g u a s r e s i d u a l e s
o l a s q u e e x i s t e n s o n t o t a l m e n t e i n a d e c u a d a s . D i c h a s a g u a s s e
d e p u r a n m e d i a n t e e l s i s t e m a d e l a g u n a j e p r o f u n d o , s e m e z c l a n
c o n l a s a g u a s s u b t e r r á n e a s y l u e g o d r e n a n a l m a r .
A p a r t i r d e 1 9 9 3 , e l C e n t r o E c o l ó g i c o A k u m a l ( C E A ) , u n a
o r g a n i z a c i ó n a m b i e n t a l i s t a n o l u c r a t i v a d e M é x i c o h a t r a b a j a d o
p a r a c o n v e r t i r A k u m a l e n u n m o d e l o r e p l i c a b l e p a r a l a
s o s t e n i b i l i d a d a m b i e n t a l , p o r m e d i o d e i n v e s t i g a c i ó n , d e s a r r o l l o
d e c a p a c i d a d e s y p o l í t i c a s . E n c o l a b o r a c i ó n e s t r e c h a c o n o t r a s
o r g a n i z a c i o n e s , e l C E A e s t á t r a b a j a n d o c o n l o s g o b i e r n o s
m u n i c i p a l e s , e s t a t a l e s y f e d e r a l e s p a r a e s t u d i a r l o s f l u j o s d e
a g u a s s u b t e r r á n e a s , l a c a l i d a d d e l a g u a y e l i m p a c t o q u e c a u s a n
e n e l a r r e c i f e ; g a r a n t i z a r u n n ú m e r o d e p l a n t a s d e t r a t a m i e n t o
a d e c u a d o y s u d e b i d a o p e r a c i ó n ; h a c e r c u m p l i r l a s l e y e s s o b r e
e l t r a t a m i e n t o d e a g u a s r e s i d u a l e s y m e j o r a r l o s m a r c o s l e g a l e s
e x i s t e n t e s .
E n l a B a h í a d e A k u m a l , s e e n c u e n t r a o p e r a n d o u n p r o g r a m a
d e m a n e j o a d e c u a d o d e r e c u r s o s . L o s i n t e r e s a d o s l o c a l e s ( e j :
h o t e l e s , t i e n d a s d e b u c e o , o p e r a d o r e s t u r í s t i c o s l o c a l e s , a g e n c i a s
g u b e r n a m e n t a l e s y e l C E A ) s e h a n u n i d o p a r a c o m p r e n d e r
m e j o r y d i r i g i r e l u s o d e l o s r e c u r s o s n a t u r a l e s , c o n e l f i n d e
g a r a n t i z a r l a s o s t e n i b i l i d a d a m b i e n t a l . E l p r o g r a m a s e l l e v a
a c a b o m e d i a n t e a c u e r d o s f o r m a l e s e n t r e e l C E A , l a i n d u s t r i a
t u r í s t i c a y l a S e c r e t a r í a d e M e d i o A m b i e n t e y R e c u r s o s N a t u r a l e s
( S E M A R N A T ) . E n e s t e p r o g r a m a i n n o v a d o r , b a s a d o e n l a
c o m u n i d a d , s e i n t e g r a n p o r p r i m e r a v e z , l a p r o p i e d a d p r i v a d a ,
l a s c o n c e s i o n e s f e d e r a l e s y l o s d e r e c h o s y r e s p o n s a b i l i d a d e s
d e l t u r i s m o m a r i n o , q u e a n t e r i o r m e n t e s e m a n e j a b a n e n f o r m a
d e s o r d e n a d a c o n f o r m e u n s i n n ú m e r o d e l e y e s y r e g l a m e n t o s .
E s t e p r o g r a m a d e m a n e j o p e r m i t e q u e u n á r e a m a r i n a
l o c a l s e a d m i n i s t r e l o c a l m e n t e . L o s a c u e r d o s e s t a b l e c i e r o n
c o m p r o m i s o s p o r p a r t e d e c a d a i n t e r e s a d o p a r a p a r t i c i p a r e n
p r á c t i c a s t u r í s t i c a s d e n t r o d e u n m a r c o d e l e y e s f e d e r a l e s q u e
r e g u l a n e l m e d i o a m b i e n t e y e l c o m e r c i o , a ú n c u a n d o e l á r e a
n o s e h a y a e s t a b l e c i d o o f i c i a l m e n t e c o m o u n á r e a p r o t e g i d a
m a r i n a .
B a s á n d o s e e n l a e x p e r i e n c i a y e n l o s r e s u l t a d o s q u e h a n s u r g i d o
d e e s t a c o o p e r a c i ó n s i n p r e c e d e n t e s e n t r e s e c t o r e s e i n t e r e s a d o s ,
l a s i g u i e n t e m e t a c o m p a r t i d a s e r á e s t a b l e c e r f o r m a l m e n t e u n
r e f u g i o p a r a t o r t u g a s m a r i n a s , c o n u n a z o n i f i c a c i ó n a p r o p i a d a
p a r a l a s d i v e r s a s a c t i v i d a d e s , c o n e l f i n d e p r o t e g e r t o d o e l
c o m p l e j o d e l a B a h í a d e A k u m a l , a l a v e z q u e s e g a r a n t i c e l a
s o s t e n i b i l i d a d f i n a n c i e r a m e d i a n t e l a p o s i b i l i d a d d e e s q u e m a s
i n n o v a d o r e s p a r a e l “ p a g o d e s e r v i c i o s a m b i e n t a l e s ” . P a r a m á s
i n f o r m a c i ó n : w w w . c e a k u m a l . o r g
L o s a r r e c i f e s c o r a l i n o s s a l u d a b l e s c o n s t i t u y e n l a s c o n c e n t r a c i o n e s d e v i d a m á s b r i l l a n t e s ,
e s t i m u l a n t e s y d i v e r s a s d e t o d o e l u n i v e r s o c o n o c i d o . A l b e r g a n u n a c a n t i d a d a s o m b r o s a d e p e c e s ,
i n c l u y e n d o g r a n d e s m e r o s y t i b u r o n e s . U n o s c u a n t o s a r r e c i f e s e n s i t i o s m u y r e m o t o s d e l P a c í f i c o
t o d a v í a p e r m a n e c e n a s í , p e r o l o s a r r e c i f e s d e l C a r i b e e s t á n s u f r i e n d o . E n m e n o s d e 3 0 a ñ o s , s u
c o l o r , i n t e r é s y v a l o r s e h a d i s m i n u i d o c o m o r e s u l t a d o d e n u e s t r o s a b u s o s . H o y , l o s a r r e c i f e s e n
m e j o r e s t a d o c o n t i e n e n l a m i t a d d e l o s p e c e s q u e d e b i e r a n y s e e n c u e n t r a n c u b i e r t o s p o r u n a
g a m a m o n ó t o n a d e c o l o r e s p a r d o s , e n v e z d e s u s c o l o r e s v í v i d o s . P o d e m o s r e s t a u r a r a l o s p e c e s
l o r o , l o s e r i z o s , l o s p e c e s d e g r a n t a m a ñ o , h a s t a p o d e m o s l i m p i a r e l a g u a d e l o s a r r e c i f e s . P o d e m o s
c r e a r m a s á r e a s p r o t e g i d a s m a r i n a s c o n m e j o r e s p r á c t i c a s d e m a n e j o , a l a v e z q u e p r o t e g e m o s l o s
m a n g l a r e s y p a s t o s m a r i n o s q u e s i r v e n c o m o á r e a s d e c r i a n z a . P o d e m o s p r o t e g e r d e m e j o r m a n e r a
l a c o s t a y á r e a s t e r r e s t r e s , r e s g u a r d a n d o y e v i t a n d o l a c o n t a m i n a c i ó n , l o q u e n o s p e r m i t i r á t e n e r
m e j o r e s a r r e c i f e s y u n M a r C a r i b e m á s s a l u d a b l e .
D r . L e s K a u f m a n , B o s t o n U n i v e r s i t y / C o n s e r v a t i o n I n t e r n a t i o n a l . 9 / 2 0 1 0
L a p i n t o r e s c a B a h í a d e A k u m a l , e n t r e P l a y a d e l C a r m e n y
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C O R D E L I A : S E D E S C U B R E U N B O S Q U E C O R A L I N O
B a n c o C o r d e l i a s o n u n g r u p o d e t r e s b a n c o s c o r a l i n o s
l o c a l i z a d o s c e r c a d e l a c o s t a d e l a I s l a d e R o a t á n ( H o n d u r a s ) .
U n o s o l o d e e s t o s b a n c o s c o m p r e n d e u n a e x t e n s i ó n d e 2 1
h e c t á r e a s q u e c o n t i e n e u n a v i d a m a r i n a i m p r e s i o n a n t e . E s t o h a
s i d o p o s i b l e g r a c i a s a l “ b o s q u e ” d e c o r a l d e c u e r n o d e v e n a d o ,
s a l u d a b l e y p r o l í f i c o , q u e a p e s a r d e s u p r o x i m i d a d a l a c o s t a
y a l a a c t i v i d a d c o n s t a n t e d e l o s s e r e s h u m a n o s , s e h a s a l v a d o
d e l c o l a p s o c a u s a d o p o r l a s e n f e r m e d a d e s q u e h a n o c u r r i d o
e n t o d o e l C a r i b e . E s m u y p o s i b l e q u e C o r d e l i a c u e n t e c o n l a
m a y o r p o b l a c i ó n d e c o r a l c u e r n o d e v e n a d o v i v o e n e l C a r i b e .
H a c i a e l e s t e d e B a n c o C o r d e l i a s e u b i c a u n o d e l o s ú l t i m o s
s i t i o s d e a g r e g a c i o n e s r e p r o d u c t i v a s d e p a r g o s y m e r o s e n l a
c o s t a s u r d e R o a t á n , d o n d e s e h a n p o d i d o o b s e r v a r m á s d e 2 0 0
i n d i v i d u o s d e s o v a n d o . O t r o s i t i o c e r c a n o , d o n d e s e p r a c t i c a
e l b u c e o , a l b e r g a u n g r u p o c o n s i d e r a b l e d e t i b u r o n e s g r i s e s
a r r e c i f a l e s . E s t a a s o m b r o s a b i o d i v e r s i d a d e s m á s r e s a l t a d a
d a d a s u l o c a l i z a c i ó n j u s t o e n m e d i o d e d o s p u e b l o s m u y a c t i v o s
– F r e n c h H a r b o u r y C o x e n H o l e – y ¡ d i r e c t a m e n t e e n f r e n t e a d o s
m u e l l e s p a r a c r u c e r o s !
L a p r o t e c c i ó n y e l m a n e j o d e B a n c o C o r d e l i a e s l a m e t a d e
v a r i a s o r g a n i z a c i o n e s q u e t r a b a j a n e n c o o r d i n a c i ó n c o n l a s
a u t o r i d a d e s l o c a l e s . U n p l a n d e r e c r e a c i ó n m a r i n a a d e c u a d o
g a r a n t i z a r í a l a i n t e g r i d a d y l a v i a b i l i d a d f i n a n c i e r a d e e s t a
á r e a q u e e s ú n i c a . L a s o r g a n i z a c i o n e s c o m o W o r l d W i l d l i f e
F u n d , e l P a r q u e M a r i n o d e R o a t á n , C o r a l R e e f A l l i a n c e , M A R
F u n d y o t r a s t r a b a j a n a c t i v a m e n t e p a r a d e f e n d e r e s t a j o y a d e
n u e s t r o A r r e c i f e M e s o a m e r i c a n o . P a r a m á s i n f o r m a c i ó n : w w w .
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S I E M P R E H A Y E S P E R A N Z A
E n e l a ñ o 2 0 0 6 , l a s d o s e s p e c i e s d e c o r a l e s A c r o p o r a f u e r o n l o s p r i m e r o s c o r a l e s
q u e s e i n c l u y e r o n e n l a l i s t a d e l a s e s p e c i e s e n p e l i g r o c r í t i c o d e e x t i n c i ó n – c o n
l o c u a l s e i n d i c a q u e e s t á n a u n p a s o d e q u e d a r e x t i n t a s e n s u e s t a d o n a t u r a l . L o
b u e n o e s q u e e s t o s c o r a l e s s o n l o s q u e c r e c e n m á s r á p i d a m e n t e d e t o d a s l a s e s p e c i e s
“ c o n s t r u c t o r a s d e c o r a l ” e n e l C a r i b e , y a q u e s e r e p r o d u c e n e n f o r m a a s e x u a l p o r m e d i o
d e f r a g m e n t a c i ó n . E n l o s p r o y e c t o s p a r a r e s t a u r a r l o s a r r e c i f e s e n B e l i c e , d e s d e 2 0 0 6 ,
s e h a a p r o v e c h a d o l a c a p a c i d a d n a t u r a l d e l a r r e c i f e d e v o l v e r a f i j a r l o s f r a g m e n t o s d e
c o r a l q u e s e d e s p r e n d e n a c o n s e c u e n c i a d e t o r m e n t a s u o t r o s d a ñ o s f í s i c o s . E n M é x i c o ,
s e u s ó e s t a t é c n i c a d e s p u é s d e l o s H u r a c a n e s I v á n ( 2 0 0 4 ) y W i l m a ( 2 0 0 5 ) .
E n B e l i c e , l o s i n v e s t i g a d o r e s e m p e z a r o n a a u m e n t a r e s t o s e s f u e r z o s e s t a b l e c i e n d o 1 1
v i v e r o s d e c o r a l e n 2 0 0 9 . L o s c o r a l e s c u e r n o d e a l c e y d e v e n a d o p u e d e n p r o d u c i r
m á s d e l 3 0 0 % d e s u m a s a o r i g i n a l e n U N S O L O A Ñ O a l s e r a d h e r i d o s a s u b s t r a t o s
a r t i f i c i a l e s ( e j . , l a z o s , m a r c o s d e m e t a l y d i s c o s d e c e m e n t o ) . E s t o s e s f u e r z o s d e
r e s t a u r a c i ó n e n B e l i c e e n f a t i z a n l a b ú s q u e d a d e g e n o t i p o s q u e s e a n l o s m á s f u e r t e s
y r e s i s t e n t e s a l c a m b i o c l i m á t i c o y e n f e r m e d a d e s . D e b e m o s a m p l i a r e s t a e s t r a t e g i a
a t o d o e l C a r i b e . U n e j e m p l o p r o m e t e d o r e s e l P a r q u e N a c i o n a l L a u g h i n g B i r d C a y e
e n e l s u r d e B e l i c e , e l c u a l e s t á t o t a l m e n t e p r o t e g i d o ( n o s e p e r m i t e l a p e s c a ) . L a s
i n v e s t i g a c i o n e s i n d i c a n q u e e n l a s á r e a s d o n d e s e h a n e l i m i n a d o l a s l a n g o s t a s y o t r o s
d e p r e d a d o r e s , p r o s p e r a n l o s c a r a c o l e s q u e s e a l i m e n t a n d e c o r a l , c o n l o c u a l s e p o n e
e n p e l i g r o e l e q u i l i b r i o n a t u r a l . L a s z o n a s d e r e a b a s t e c i m i e n t o , c o m o L a u g h i n g B i r d ,
d e b e n f o m e n t a r s e y a p o y a r s e .
L l e v a n d o a c a b o u n l e v a n t a m i e n t o d e l a c o b e r t u r a d e l c o r a l
c u e r n o s d e v e n a d o ( A . c e r v i c o r n i s ) e n u n o d e l o s b a n c o s
a r r e c i f a l e s d e B a n c o C o r d e l i a , u n t r a b a j o e n c o n j u n t o c o n e l
I n s t i t u t o d e C i e n c i a s M a r i n a s d e R o a t á n ( R I M S ) y l a A l i a n z a
p a r a l o s A r r e c i f e s C o r a l i n o s ( C O R A L ) . E s t e b a n c o c u b r e u n á r e a
a p r o x i m a d a d e 2 1 h e c t á r e a s .
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P a r a l o s a d m i n i s t r a d o r e s q u e s e s i e n t e n d e s c o r a z o n a d o s p o r e l e s t a d o d e l a r r e c i f e , e s t e p r o y e c t o l e s d a e s p e r a n z a s , y a q u e l a r e s t a u r a c i ó n
d e l c o r a l u t i l i z a n d o t é c n i c a s s e n c i l l a s y r e l a t i v a m e n t e e c o n ó m i c a s r e p r e s e n t a u n a e s t r a t e g i a q u e p u e d e r e p l i c a r s e y q u e p u e d e n l l e v a r
a c a b o t o d o s l o s i n t e r e s a d o s , i n c l u y e n d o g u í a s t u r í s t i c o s , p e r s o n a l d e l a s r e s e r v a s m a r i n a s y v o l u n t a r i o s c a p a c i t a d o s . A m e d i d a q u e
e s t o s a r q u i t e c t o s d e l c o r a l s e e x t i e n d e n y s e r e c u p e r a n , c o n s t r u i r á n h á b i t a t s p a r a o t r o s o r g a n i s m o s , i n c r e m e n t a r á n l a e s t r u c t u r a p a r a l a s
p e s q u e r í a s y p r o t e g e r á n m á s l a s c o s t a s , b e n e f i c i a n d o a l s e r h u m a n o . P a r a m á s i n f o m a c i ó n c o n t a c t e l i s a s i n b e l i z e @ g m a i l . c o m
P R O T E G I E N D O L A B I O D I V E R S I D A D M A R I N A
L a L i s t a R o j a d e E s p e c i e s A m e n a z a d a s d e l a U I C N e s l a f u e n t e
d e i n f o r m a c i ó n m á s e x h a u s t i v a s o b r e e l e s t a d o d e c o n s e r v a c i ó n
d e l a s e s p e c i e s d e p l a n t a s y a n i m a l e s a n i v e l m u n d i a l . S e b a s a
e n u n s i s t e m a o b j e t i v o p a r a e v a l u a r e l r i e s g o d e e x t i n c i ó n d e
u n a e s p e c i e s i n o s e i m p l e m e n t a n a c c i o n e s p a r a c o n s e r v a r l a .
E n e l a ñ o 2 0 0 6 , h a b í a 5 e s p e c i e s m a r i n a s e n p e l i g r o c r í t i c o d e
e x t i n c i ó n , 6 e n p e l i g r o d e e x t i n c i ó n y 1 6 e n c o n d i c i ó n v u l n e r a b l e
d e n t r o d e l S A M . A p e s a r d e q u e s e a u m e n t a r o n l o s e s f u e r z o s
p a r a c o n s e r v a r l a s , l o s c a m b i o s q u e h a n o c u r r i d o e n s ó l o c u a t r o
a ñ o s s o n d e s a l e n t a d o r e s . E n 2 0 1 0 , l a s c i f r a s h a n a u m e n t a d o a
7 e s p e c i e s m a r i n a s e n p e l i g r o c r í t i c o d e e x t i n c i ó n , 7 e n p e l i g r o
d e e x t i n c i ó n y 1 7 e n c o n d i c i ó n v u l n e r a b l e . M u c h a s d e e s t a s
e s p e c i e s n o s e h a n v u e l t o a e v a l u a r d e s d e e l 2 0 0 6 .
U n t e r c i o d e l o s c o r a l e s d u r o s e s t á n e n p e l i g r o d e e x t i n c i ó n .
D o s e s p e c i e s d e a c r o p ó r i d o s , c o r a l e s c u e r n o d e a l c e ( A . p a l m a t a )
y c u e r n o d e v e n a d o ( A . c e r v i c o r n i s ) , s e i n c l u y e r o n e n l a l i s t a
d e l a s e s p e c i e s e n p e l i g r o c r í t i c o d e e x t i n c i ó n e n s e p t i e m b r e
d e l 2 0 0 7 , b a s á n d o s e e n u n a r e d u c c i ó n d e m á s d e l 8 0 % d e s u
p o b l a c i ó n d u r a n t e l o s ú l t i m o s 3 0 a ñ o s , d e b i d o p r i n c i p a l m e n t e
a l o s e f e c t o s c a u s a d o s p o r e n f e r m e d a d e s , a s í c o m o a o t r o s
f a c t o r e s r e l a c i o n a d o s c o n e l c a m b i o c l i m á t i c o y a c t i v i d a d e s
h u m a n a s . L a s i m p l i c a c i o n e s e c o l ó g i c a s d e s u d i s m i n u c i ó n s o n
e n o r m e s – e s t a s d o s e s p e c i e s d e c o r a l s o n l a s “ c o n s t r u c t o r a s d e
a r r e c i f e s ” - s o n l a s q u e c i m e n t a n a r r e c i f e s e n t e r o s , i n c l u y e n d o
l a s b a r r e r a s q u e p r o t e g e n l a l í n e a d e c o s t a d e l a s t o r m e n t a s .
L o s c o n s e r v a c i o n i s t a s m a r i n o s e s t á n t o m a n d o m e d i d a s m á s
d r á s t i c a s p a r a s a l v a r e s t a s e s p e c i e s d e u n a p o s i b l e e x t i n c i ó n .
L a o t r a e s p e c i e q u e c o n s t r u y e l a e s t r u c t u r a d e l a r r e c i f e e s e l
c o r a l m o n t a ñ o s o e s t r e l l a d o ( M . a n n u l a r i s ) , y é s t e t a m b i é n s e
i n c l u y ó e n l a l i s t a c o m o e n p e l i g r o d e e x t i n c i ó n . E s t o s i g n i f i c a
q u e e s t a e s p e c i e h a s u f r i d o u n a d i s m i n u c i ó n d e m á s d e l 5 0 % e n
l o s ú l t i m o s 3 0 a ñ o s . D e b i d o a s u g r a n l o n g e v i d a d , s u s b a j a s t a s a s
d e r e c l u t a m i e n t o y e l t i e m p o p r o l o n g a d o e n t r e g e n e r a c i o n e s , e l
p o t e n c i a l d e r e c u p e r a c i ó n d e s u p o b l a c i ó n e s m u y l i m i t a d o . S i
c o n t i n ú a n l a s t e n d e n c i a s a c t u a l e s , e s p o s i b l e q u e a e s t a e s p e c i e
s e l e d e b a u b i c a r e n u n a c a t e g o r í a m á s a l t a d e p e l i g r o .
E l f a c t o r q u e c o n s t i t u y e l a m a y o r a m e n a z a p a r a l o s c o r a l e s e s
e l c a m b i o c l i m á t i c o , e n e s p e c i a l l a s t e m p e r a t u r a s e x t r e m a s q u e
c a u s a n e l b l a n q u e a m i e n t o y u n a m a y o r s u s c e p t i b i l i d a d a l a s
e n f e r m e d a d e s , l a m a y o r f u e r z a d e l a s t o r m e n t a s y l a a c i d i f i c a c i ó n
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e n l a L i s t a R o j a m á s c o r a l e s d e l P a c í f i c o y e l C a r i b e ( t o d a v í a
e s t á p e n d i e n t e l a e v a l u a c i ó n d e t o d o s l o s d a t o s ) , y a q u e e n l a
a c t u a l i d a d s e c o n s i d e r a q u e h a y m u c h a s e s p e c i e s c o n d a t o s
d e f i c i e n t e s .
2
S e n e c e s i t a n a c c i o n e s m á s d r á s t i c a s p a r a s a l v a r a
l o s c o r a l e s e n p e l i g r o d e e x t i n c i ó n . E s t a s a c c i o n e s v a n d e s d e
e s t a b l e c e r s i t i o s d e c r i a n z a , c o n e l f i n d e p r o p a g a r e s t a s e s p e c i e s
y l u e g o u b i c a r l o s e n a r r e c i f e s c e r c a n o s , h a s t a l a c o n g e l a c i ó n d e
e s p e r m a y h u e v o s d e c o r a l p a r a l a c r e a c i ó n d e u n b a n c o g e n é t i c o .
M i e n t r a s q u e m u c h o s e s f u e r z o s r e c i e n t e s s e h a n c e n t r a d o e n l o s
c o r a l e s e n p e l i g r o d e e x t i n c i ó n r e c i é n i n c l u i d o s e n l a L i s t a R o j a ,
n o s e h a p r e s t a d o s u f i c i e n t e a t e n c i ó n a l o s p e c e s e n p e l i g r o . D e
h e c h o , t o d a v í a e x i s t e n p e s q u e r í a s e n e l S A M q u e s e d e d i c a n a l a
p e s c a d e l m e r o G o l i a t ( E . i t a j a r a ) y e l m e r o N a s s a u ( E . s t r i a t u s ) ,
a m b o s e n p e l i g r o d e e x t i n c i ó n , y d e v a r i a s e s p e c i e s v u l n e r a b l e s ,
c o m o e l p e z g a t i l l o , e l p a r g o p l u m a , l a c u b e r a y e l p a r g o c e b a o .
F r e n t e a e s t a s i t u a c i ó n , c o b r a n u n a m a y o r i m p o r t a n c i a l a s A P M ’ s
q u e p r o t e g e n l a s a g r e g a c i o n e s d e d e s o v e d e e s t a s e s p e c i e s ( c o m o
G l o v e r s R e e f , G l a d d e n S p i t y C a y e B o k e l e n B e l i c e ; Y u c a t á n y
Q u i n t a n a R o o , M é x i c o p a r a e l m e r o r o j o y o t r o s s e r r á n i d o s ,
m i e n t r a s q u e n o a p l i c a t o d a v í a p a r a e l m e r o N a s s a u ; B a n c o
C o r d e l i a y l a R e s e r v a M a r i n a S a n d y B a y - W e s t E n d e n H o n d u r a s ) .
A l g u n a s e s p e c i e s m a r i n a s , i n c l u y e n d o e l p e z s i e r r a , h a n s u f r i d o
t a l d i s m i n u c i ó n q u e y a n o s e p e s c a n , s e n c i l l a m e n t e p o r q u e n o
l o s h a y . L a ú l t i m a v e z q u e s e v i o u n p e z s i e r r a e n B e l i c e f u e
h a c e 1 5 a ñ o s . L a s a g r e g a c i o n e s q u e s i e m p r e h a n o c u r r i d o e n l a
B a h í a d e C h e t u m a l a h o r a s o n s ó l o u n a l e y e n d a . M i e n t r a s q u e
l a m a y o r p a r t e d e l o s a n i m a l e s s i l v e s t r e s t e r r e s t r e s q u e a p a r e c e n
e n l a L i s t a R o j a s e v a l o r a n c o m o í c o n o s d e l a c o n s e r v a c i ó n y
s e p r o t e g e n p r o h i b i e n d o s u c a z a , e s t o s a n i m a l e s m a r i n o s e n
p e l i g r o s e s i g u e n p e s c a n d o , t a n t o c o n f i n e s c o m e r c i a l e s c o m o
r e c r e a t i v o s . E s u r g e n t e f o m e n t a r u n a a p r e c i a c i ó n s i m i l a r p o r
p a r t e d e l p ú b l i c o e n g e n e r a l y p r o t e g e r l e g a l m e n t e a l o s a n i m a l e s
m a r i n o s e n p e l i g r o d e e x t i n c i ó n .
1 7
E S P E C I E S
E p i n e p h e l u s i t a j a r a - M e r o g u a s a
P r i s t i s p e r o t t e t i - P e z s i e r r a
D e r m o c h e l y s c o r i a c e a - T o r t u g a l a ú d o b a u l a
E r e t m o c h e l y s i m b r i c a t a - T o r t u g a c a r e y
H y p o r t h o d u s n i g r i t u s * - M e r o n e g r o
A c r o p o r a c e r v i c o r n i s - C o r a l c u e r n o d e v e n a d o
A c r o p o r a p a l m a t a - C o r a l c u e r n o d e a l c e
C a r e t t a c a r e t t a - T o r t u g a a m a r i l l a , c a g u a m a o b o b a
P r i s t i s p e c t i n a t a - P e z s i e r r a p e i n e
C h e l o n i a m y d a s - T o r t u g a v e r d e
L e p i d o c h e l y s o l i v a c e a - T o r t u g a g o l fi n a
P a g r u s p a g r u s - P a r g o r o j o
E p i n e p h e l u s s t r i a t u s - M e r o d e l c a r i b e
M o n t a s t r e a a n n u l a r i s - C o r a l m o n t a ñ o s o e s t r e l l a d o
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!
M o n t a s t r e a a n n u l a r i s E r e t m o c h e l y s i m b r i c a t a E p i n e p h e l u s s t r i a t u s A c r o p o r a p a l m a t a
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L A S Á R E A S P R O T E G I D A S M A R I N A S
L a s á r e a s p r o t e g i d a s m a r i n a s ( A P M ) – á r e a s d e l m a r e s p e c í f i c a m e n t e d e s i g n a d a s y d e l i m i t a d a s d o n d e s e r e g u l a n l a p e s c a y o t r a s
a c t i v i d a d e s q u e p o d r í a n c a u s a r d a ñ o s – s o n u n a h e r r a m i e n t a e f e c t i v a p a r a l a c o n s e r v a c i ó n m a r i n a y e x i s t e n m á s d e 4 , 6 0 0 A P M e n
t o d o e l m u n d o .
1
S u o b j e t i v o e s p r o t e g e r l a b i o d i v e r s i d a d , l o s h á b i t a t s c r í t i c o s y l o s p r o c e s o s d e l o s e c o s i s t e m a s , a s í c o m o o t o r g a r l e
a l a s c o m u n i d a d e s l o c a l e s p a r t i c i p a c i ó n a c t i v a e n e l m a n e j o d e e s t o s r e c u r s o s . E x i s t e u n a g r a n c a n t i d a d d e e v i d e n c i a c i e n t í f i c a
q u e i n d i c a q u e l a s A P M ’ s g e n e r a l m e n t e l o g r a n e s t a s m e t a s y q u e , d e n t r o d e e l l a s , l a b i o m a s a – o s e a l a m a s a d e a n i m a l e s y p l a n t a s –
a u m e n t a u n p r o m e d i o d e l 4 4 6 % .
1
U n e s t u d i o r e c i e n t e a n i v e l m u n d i a l e s t a b l e c i ó q u e , e n p r o m e d i o , l a c o b e r t u r a d e c o r a l e n l a s
á r e a s p r o t e g i d a s s e h a b í a m a n t e n i d o c o n s t a n t e , p e r o q u e h a b í a d i s m i n u i d o e n a q u e l l o s a r r e c i f e s q u e n o e s t a b a n p r o t e g i d o s .
1
L a s
m e j o r a s e n e l e s t a d o d e s a l u d d e l o s c o r a l e s s e p e r c i b e u n a d é c a d a d e s p u é s d e l a s m e j o r a s p a r a e s p e c i e s c o m e r c i a l e s – c o m o l o s
p e c e s – , c u y o i n c r e m e n t o s e p u e d e n o t a r e n u n e s p a c i o d e e n t r e 4 a 5 a ñ o s . C u a n d o c o n s i d e r a m o s t a m b i é n l a p o p u l a r i d a d d e l a s
A P M ’ s p a r a e l t u r i s m o d e b u c e o , l a s m e j o r a s e n l a s e g u r i d a d a l i m e n t a r i a , c a l i d a d d e v i d a , e d u c a c i ó n e i n v e s t i g a c i ó n , r e a l m e n t e l o s
b e n e f i c i o s t o t a l e s l o g r a d o s p o r l a s A P M ’ s s o n e n o r m e s .
M a n e j a n d o l a s A P M ’ s c o m o u n a r e d i n t e r c o n e c t a d a , i n c l u y e n d o l a s e x t e n s a s á r e a s d e z o n a s c o m p l e t a m e n t e p r o t e g i d a s ( z o n a s d e
n o p e s c a ) o z o n a s d e r e a b a s t e c i m i e n t o p a r a l a s p e s q u e r í a s , s e e s t á c o n v i r t i e n d o r á p i d a m e n t e e n u n a h e r r a m i e n t a i m p o r t a n t e p a r a
c o n t r i b u i r a l o s p r o c e s o s n a t u r a l e s d e r e c u p e r a c i ó n m a r i n a e n t o d o e l m u n d o . S i n e m b a r g o , l a p r o t e c c i ó n e n e l m a r e s t á m u y
a t r a s a d a e n c o m p a r a c i ó n c o n l a p r o t e c c i ó n q u e s e b r i n d a e n t i e r r a : a l r e d e d o r d e u n 0 . 6 % d e n t r o d e l a s A P M ’ s ( < 0 . 0 1 c o n p r o t e c c i ó n
t o t a l ) v e r s u s u n 1 2 % d e t i e r r a p r o t e g i d a . L a s m e t a s r e c o m e n d a d a s p a r a u n á r e a b a j o p r o t e c c i ó n t o t a l o s c i l a n e n t r e u n 2 0 % y u n
4 0 % d e l á r e a m a r i n a , p a r a m a x i m i z a r l o s b e n e f i c i o s e c o l ó g i c o s y e c o n ó m i c o s . E x i s t e n m á s d e 3 0 A P M ’ s q u e c u b r e n a l r e d e d o r d e
u n 8 % d e l t e r r i t o r i o m a r i n o e n e l S A M . S i n e m b a r g o , e l p o r c e n t a j e d e t e r r i t o r i o m a r i n o q u e s e e n c u e n t r a t o t a l m e n t e p r o t e g i d o e s
m u c h o m e n o s d e l 1 % .
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S a p o d i l l a C a y e s
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i m p o r t a n t e i m p u l s a d o p o r O N G ’ s ,
o r g a n i z a c i o n e s p e s q u e r a s a p e q u e ñ a
e s c a l a , i n v e s t i g a d o r e s y a u t o r i d a d e s
g u b e r n a m e n t a l e s q u e t i e n e c o m o m e t a
d i s e ñ a r u n a r e d d e r e f u g i o s p e s q u e r o s
( n o p e s c a ) , q u e s e e s t a b l e c e r á n c o n f o r m e
a l a L e y d e P e s q u e r í a s . E s t a a l i a n z a
i n c l u i r á l a i m p l e m e n t a c i ó n , m o n i t o r e o
y c u m p l i m i e n t o d e l a s r e g u l a c i o n e s e n
e s t a s z o n a s , t r a b a j a n d o e n d i r e c c i ó n “ d e
a b a j o h a c i a a r r i b a ” c o n l a s c o m u n i d a d e s
d e p e s c a d o r e s y e l s e c t o r t u r í s t i c o .
E s t a r e d f u n c i o n a l d e b i e r a i n c l u i r
u n p o r c e n t a j e s i g n i f i c a t i v o d e á r e a s
c r í t i c a s d e n t r o d e l a r r e c i f e , c o n e l f i n d e
m e j o r a r l a s p o c a s z o n a s c o m p l e t a m e n t e
p r o t e g i d a s q u e e x i s t e n d e n t r o d e l a s
A P M ’ s y a e s t a b l e c i d a s .
4
E x i s t e n “ s i t i o s d e e s p e r a n z a ” e n l a r e g i ó n ,
i n c l u y e n d o u n s i t i o “ m u y b u e n o ” y n u e v e
s i t i o s “ b u e n o s ” , l a m a y o r í a d e n t r o d e A P M ’ s .
U n s i t i o a l s u r d e B e l i c e m e j o r ó d e “ c r í t i c o ” a
“ b u e n o ” , y e s t á l o c a l i z a d o a p r o x i m a d a m e n t e a
u n k i l ó m e t r o d e d i s t a n c i a d e u n a d e l a s z o n a s
t o t a l m e n t e p r o t e g i d a s m á s g r a n d e s e n B e l i c e
( P a r q u e N a c i o n a l L a u g h i n g B i r d C a y e ) . L a s
r a z o n e s p a r a e s t e i n c r e m e n t o e n l a s a l u d s e
d e b i e r o n e n g r a n p a r t e a u n a m a y o r b i o m a s a
d e p e c e s ( d e a m b o s g r u p o s ) e n 2 0 0 9 .
1 6
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m a r i n a  
 
( k m
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P o r c e n t a j e  
p r o t e g i d o
P o r c e n t a j e  
“ n o   p e s c a ”
M a r   T e r r i t o r i a l
            ( k m
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1 9 , 4 5 4
1 8 , 8 4 8
1 , 5 6 5
2 4 , 2 8 7
6 4 , 1 5 4
1 , 9 7 2
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F u e n t e d e D a t o s
2 , 3 , 4
L a a m e n a z a q u e l a p e r f o r a c i ó n p e t r o l e r a c e r c a d e l a s c o s t a s
s u p o n e p a r a l o s e c o s i s t e m a s m a r i n o s s e d e m o s t r ó m u y
c l a r a m e n t e h o r r e n d a d u r a n t e e l d e r r a m e d e p e t r ó l e o d e l a
p l a t a f o r m a D e e p w a t e r H o r i z o n o c u r r i d o e n e l G o l f o d e M é x i c o
e n a b r i l d e 2 0 1 0 . E s t a c a t á s t r o f e a m b i e n t a l , s o c i a l y e c o n ó m i c a
h a s e r v i d o c o m o c a t a l i z a d o r p a r a l a s d i s c u s i o n e s e n t o d a l a
r e g i ó n s o b r e l a s c o n d i c i o n e s a c t u a l e s y l o s r i e s g o s q u e p r e s e n t a
l a p e r f o r a c i ó n p e t r o l e r a e n e l S A M . A c o n t i n u a c i ó n s e p r e s e n t a
u n r e s u m e n s o b r e l a i n f o r m a c i ó n q u e t e n e m o s a n u e s t r a
d i s p o s i c i ó n s o b r e e l e s t a d o d e l a s c o n c e s i o n e s y a c t i v i d a d e s e n
e s t e r u b r o .
E n M é x i c o , P e t r ó l e o s M e x i c a n o s ( P E M E X ) h a c o n t i n u a d o
e i n t e n s i f i c a d o l a s a c t i v i d a d e s d e e x p l o r a c i ó n e n l a p l a n i c i e
c o s t e r a , l a p l a t a f o r m a c o n t i n e n t a l y l a s a g u a s p r o f u n d a s d e l
G o l f o d e M é x i c o , d o n d e l a a d q u i s i c i ó n e i n t e r p r e t a c i ó n d e
i n f o r m a c i ó n g e o l ó g i c a y g e o f í s i c a h a p e r m i t i d o e s t i m a r e l
p o t e n c i a l p e t r o l í f e r o e n t o d o M é x i c o . L a e s t r a t e g i a e x p l o r a t o r i a
e s t á o r i e n t a d a a l a s c u e n c a s d e l S u r e s t e y e l G o l f o d e M é x i c o
P r o f u n d o . A n t e s d e q u e o c u r r i e r a e l d e r r a m e d e D e e p w a t e r
H o r i z o n , s e c o n s i d e r a b a q u e l a e x p l o s i ó n e n l a p l a t a f o r m a
I X T O C o i l , q u e o c u r r i ó e n l a C u e n c a d e l S u r e s t e , h a b í a c a u s a d o
e l d e r r a m e d e c r u d o m á s g r a n d e d e l m u n d o . L o c a u s ó u n e s c a p e
s i n c o n t r o l p r o v e n i e n t e d e u n p o z o e x p l o r a t o r i o , e l I X T O C , q u e
s e p e r f o r a b a e n a g u a s d e 1 5 0 p i e s d e p r o f u n d i d a d . D u r a n t e
2 9 7 d í a s , e s t e y a c i m i e n t o l i b e r ó c a s i 3 m i l l o n e s d e b a r r i l e s d e
p e t r ó l e o c r u d o ( 1 2 6 m i l l o n e s d e g a l o n e s / 4 7 7 m i l l o n e s d e l i t r o s )
e n e l s u r d e l G o l f o d e M é x i c o , e l c u a l i n c l u s i v e l l e g ó h a s t a l a s
c o s t a s d e T e x a s . L a e s t r a t e g i a d e P E M E X s i g u e c e n t r á n d o s e e n
l a e x p l o t a c i ó n d e l a s r e s e r v a s q u e e x i s t e n e n e l G o l f o d e M é x i c o ,
a u n q u e s e h a c o n s t a t a d o s u i n t e r é s e n e x p l o r a r a l r e d e d o r d e l
a r r e c i f e A l a c r a n e s , d e n t r o d e l S A M .
E n G u a t e m a l a e x i s t e n e n l a a c t u a l i d a d 1 2 á r e a s q u e s e h a n
i d e n t i f i c a d o c o m o a p r o p i a d a s p a r a l a e x p l o r a c i ó n d e p e t r ó l e o
y g a s ; l a s c o n c e s i o n e s d e s e i s d e e l l a s s a l d r á n a l i c i t a c i ó n
p r ó x i m a m e n t e . A u n q u e h a y t r e s s i t i o s e n e l O c é a n o P a c í f i c o ,
é s t o s n o s e i n c l u i r á n e n l a s l i c i t a c i o n e s . R e c i e n t e m e n t e , e l
V i c e m i n i s t r o d e M i n e r í a e H i d r o c a r b u r o s i n d i c ó q u e e l p r o c e s o
d e l i c i t a c i ó n s e a t r a s ó d e b i d o a q u e l o s l í m i t e s d e l a s z o n a s s e
m o d i f i c a r o n , c o n e l f i n d e e v i t a r l a s á r e a s p r o t e g i d a s . E s t a
r e d e f i n i c i ó n d e l o s l í m i t e s o c u r r i ó l u e g o d e q u e s e v o l v i e r a a
a u t o r i z a r u n a l i c e n c i a p a r a l a p e r f o r a c i ó n p e t r o l í f e r a t e r r e s t r e
d e n t r o d e l Á r e a P r o t e g i d a d e L a g u n a d e l T i g r e e n l a R e s e r v a d e
l a B i ó s f e r a M a y a , P e t é n . H a y v a r i o s s e c t o r e s q u e c o n s i d e r a n q u e
e s t a c o n c e s i ó n e s i l e g a l . N o s e c o n o c e n i n g ú n p l a n p a r a l l e v a r
a c a b o e x p l o r a c i ó n p e t r o l í f e r a c e r c a n a a l a s c o s t a s d e l C a r i b e .
B e l i c e c u e n t a c o n e l m a y o r n ú m e r o d e c o n s e c i o n e s e n l a r e g i ó n .
S e h a d i v i d i d o t o d o e l t e r r i t o r i o m a r i n o c e r c a n o a l a s c o s t a s e n
o c h o b l o q u e s d e c o n c e s i o n e s . S e e s t á n l l e v a n d o o e s t á n p o r
l l e v a r s e a c a b o p r u e b a s s í s m i c a s e n v a r i o s d e e s t o s b l o q u e s , p e r o
l o s p o z o s d e e x p l o r a c i ó n n o e s t á n p l a n e a d o s s i n o h a s t a e l a ñ o
2 0 1 2 . L a C o a l i c i ó n d e B e l i c e p a r a S a l v a r N u e s t r o P a t r i m o n i o
N a t u r a l ( B e l i z e C o a l i t i o n t o S a v e o u r N a t u r a l H e r i t a g e ) ,
e n l a c u a l s e e n m a r c a n m á s d e 4 0 g r u p o s d e o r i g e n p o p u l a r ,
d e o b r e r o s , g r u p o s e m p r e s a r i a l e s y a m b i e n t a l i s t a s , e s t á n
s o l i c i t a n d o a l g o b i e r n o q u e c a m b i e s u p o l í t i c a d e e x p l o t a c i ó n
e n l a s á r e a s c e r c a n a s a l a c o s t a y e n l a s á r e a s p r o t e g i d a s , y q u e
m e j o r e l o s r e q u i s i t o s d e g e s t i ó n a m b i e n t a l y d e s e g u r i d a d e n l a s
á r e a s r e s t a n t e s . E l g r u p o a c a b a d e p r e s e n t a r u n a p e t i c i ó n p a r a
q u e s e c e l e b r e u n r e f e r e n d o a n i v e l n a c i o n a l s o b r e e s t e t e m a .
E n H o n d u r a s s e h a e s t a d o d e b a t i e n d o u n a n u e v a p r o p u e s t a d e
l e y p a r a r e g u l a r l a e x p l o r a c i ó n y l a e x p l o t a c i ó n p e t r o l e r a d e s d e
f e b r e r o d e l 2 0 0 9 . E l C o n g r e s o N a c i o n a l s e h a v i s t o i n u n d a d o
p o r s o l i c i t u d e s p r o v e n i e n t e s d e g r u p o s a m b i e n t a l i s t a s y s o c i a l e s
p a r a q u e s e p r o h i b a l a p r o s p e c c i ó n p e t r o l e r a d e n t r o d e l o s l í m i t e s
d e l a s á r e a s p r o t e g i d a s y p a r a q u e s e e s t a b l e z c a n m e d i d a s d e
p r o t e c c i ó n y g a r a n t í a s e c o n ó m i c a s p a r a r e m e d i a r l o s i m p a c t o s e n
l o s r e c u r s o s n a t u r a l e s d e l o s c u a l e s d e p e n d e n l a s c o m u n i d a d e s .
L a s c o m p a ñ í a s p e t r o l e r a s , p o r o t r a p a r t e , e s t á n s o l i c i t a n d o q u e
s e a m p l í e n l o s s i t i o s p a r a l a e x p l o r a c i ó n , a m a n e r a d e i n c l u i r
e n e l l a s l a s á r e a s p r o t e g i d a s , a s í c o m o l a s a g u a s c o n t i n e n t a l e s
d e n t r o d e l a Z E E . S e f o m e n t ó a ú n m á s l a p o l é m i c a a r a í z d e q u e
e l E x p r e s i d e n t e M a n u e l Z e l a y a f i r m a r a u n c o n v e n i o p o r m e d i o
d e l c u a l s e p e r m i t í a a l a c o m p a ñ í a P e t r o l e u m G e o - S e r v i c e s A S A
d e N o r u e g a r e a l i z a r e x p l o r a c i o n e s p e t r o l í f e r a s a 1 0 k i l ó m e t r o s
d e l a c o s t a H o n d u r e ñ a . H a s t a e l m o m e n t o , n o s e s a b e c o n c e r t e z a
s i e s t e p e r m i s o t o d a v í a s i g u e v i g e n t e . C u a t r o o t r a s c o m p a ñ í a s ,
P e t r ó l e o s d e V e n e z u e l a , C h e v r o n , P E M E X y P e t r o b r a s h a n
e x p r e s a d o s u i n t e r é s e n r e a l i z a r e x p l o r a c i ó n p e t r o l í f e r a . S e g ú n
e l S r . T o m á s V a q u e r o , E x m i n i s t r o d e R e c u r s o s N a t u r a l e s , e n l a
a c t u a l i d a d s e e s t á e x p l o r a n d o u n á r e a d e 8 , 0 0 0 k m 2 e n e l C a r i b e
H o n d u r e ñ o . N o s e e n c o n t r ó n i n g u n a i n f o r m a c i ó n o f i c i a l s o b r e
l a p o l í t i c a g u b e r n a m e n t a l n i s e l o g r ó c o r r o b o r a r s i r e a l m e n t e s e
h a n o t o r g a d o c o n c e s i o n e s p e t r o l í f e r a s .
L A S E D D E O R O N E G R O B A J O E L M A R A Z U L
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D e s a r r o l l o p e t r o l e r o f u e r a d e l a c o s t a -   p l a t a f o r m a s , b a r c a z a s y o l e o d u c t o s   s o n p a r t e a h o r a d e l p a i s a j e e n e l G o l f o d e M é x i c o y a m e n a z a n
c o n   l l e g a r a l S A M .
C A M B I O C L I M Á T I C O G L O B A L : I M P A C T A N D O
N U E S T R O S A R R E C I F E S
L o s o c é a n o s c u b r e n m á s d e l 7 0 % d e l p l a n e t a y c o n s t i t u y e n e l
f a c t o r m á s p r e p o n d e r a n t e e n l a r e g u l a c i ó n d e l c l i m a . L o s o c é a n o s
y a h a n a b s o r b i d o e n t r e u n 2 5 % y u n 5 0 % d e l a s e m i s i o n e s d e
C O
2
g e n e r a d a s p o r l o s s e r e s h u m a n o s y s o n e s e n c i a l e s p a r a
q u e e l p l a n e t a m a n t e n g a s u c l i m a a c t u a l . S i n e m b a r g o , p u e d e
q u e e s t a c a p a c i d a d h a y a l l e g a d o a s u l í m i t e . C o m o r e s u l t a d o
d e l C C , n u e s t r o s o c é a n o s e s t á n c a m b i a n d o d r á s t i c a m e n t e – h a y
e s p e c i e s d e s a p a r e c i e n d o , h a y m á s p r e v a l e n c i a d e e n f e r m e d a d e s
c o r a l i n a s , l a s d i n á m i c a s d e l a s r e d e s t r ó c a s e s t á n c a m b i a n d o y l a
p r o d u c t i v i d a d e n g e n e r a l e s t á d i s m i n u y e n d o .
1

L o s a r r e c i f e s d e c o r a l , e n p a r t i c u l a r , p u e d e n s u f r i r u n c o l a p s o
d e p r o p o r c i o n e s c a t a s t r ó c a s c o m o c o n s e c u e n c i a d e l C C e n
l a s p r ó x i m a s d é c a d a s , a m e n o s q u e o c u r r a u n a c o n s i d e r a b l e e
i n m e d i a t a r e d u c c i ó n e n l o s g a s e s d e e f e c t o i n v e r n a d e r o ( G E I ) .
E l b l a n q u e a m i e n t o d e l c o r a l o c u r r e c u a n d o u n i n c r e m e n t o
e n l a s t e m p e r a t u r a s d e l m a r o b l i g a a l o s c o r a l e s a e x p u l s a r s u s
a l g a s s i m b i ó t i c a s , l a s c u a l e s l e s p r o p o r c i o n a n l a m a y o r p a r t e d e
s u a l i m e n t o . S e p r e v é q u e l o s e p i s o d i o s d e b l a n q u e a m i e n t o s e
i n c r e m e n t e n e n f r e c u e n c i a , a m e d i d a q u e e l c a m b i o c l i m á t i c o
m u n d i a l a u m e n t e l a t e m p e r a t u r a d e l o c é a n o .
E n e l S A M , s e h a n d a d o e v e n t o s d e b l a n q u e a m i e n t o e n , a l m e n o s ,
l o s s i g u i e n t e s a ñ o s : 1 9 9 5 , 1 9 9 8 , 2 0 0 3 , 2 0 0 5 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 0 9 y 2 0 1 0 . E l
e v e n t o m á s d e v a s t a d o r o c u r r i ó e n 1 9 9 8 y a f e c t ó a t o d a l a r e g i ó n
e n d i s t i n t o s g r a d o s . P a r a d e t e r m i n a r e l n i v e l d e i m p a c t o y e l
g r a d o d e r e c u p e r a c i ó n , l o s c i e n t í c o s a n a l i z a r o n r a d i o g r a f í a s d e
m u e s t r a s d e p e r l d e c o r a l , c o n e l n d e e s t a b l e c e r e l r i t m o d e
c r e c i m i e n t o a n u a l d e l c o r a l . P a r a e l l o s e b a s a r o n e n l o s r e g i s t r o s
q u e a l r e s p e c t o s e t e n í a n d e s d e 1 9 5 0 y q u e i n c l u y e n l o s p e r í o d o s
a n t e r i o r y p o s t e r i o r a l e v e n t o d e b l a n q u e a m i e n t o m a s i v o d e
1 9 9 8 . E l c o r a l m o n t a ñ o s o e s t r e l l a d o q u e v i v e e n l o s a r r e c i f e s m á s
s a l u d a b l e s d e H o n d u r a s y B e l i c e s e p u d o r e c u p e r a r y e m p e z ó a
c r e c e r n o r m a l m e n t e a l o s 2 - 3 a ñ o s d e o c u r r i d o e l b l a n q u e a m i e n t o ,
m i e n t r a s q u e a q u e l l o s c o r a l e s q u e r e c i b e n u n m a y o r i m p a c t o a
c a u s a d e l a c o n t a m i n a c i ó n y e l e s c u r r i m i e n t o t e r r e s t r e n o s e
p u d i e r o n r e c u p e r a r , i n c l u s i v e d e s p u é s d e t r a n s c u r r i d o s 8 a ñ o s .
2


L o s c o r a l e s q u e s u f r e n e s t r é s a c o n s e c u e n c i a d e l a c o n t a m i n a c i ó n
y l a s o b r e p e s c a t i e n e n m e n o s p o s i b i l i d a d e s d e r e c u p e r a r s e
d e l b l a n q u e a m i e n t o y p u e d e n s e r m á s s u s c e p t i b l e s a o t r a s
p e r t u r b a c i o n e s . L a r e d u c c i ó n d e l a c o n t a m i n a c i ó n p u n t u a l – c o m o
l a s e d i m e n t a c i ó n , s o b r e p e s c a , y c o n t a m i n a c i ó n p o r n u t r i e n t e s
y a g u a s n e g r a s , q u e r e s u l t a n d e l a s p r á c t i c a s i n a d e c u a d a s e n e l
L a r á p i d a e l e v a c i ó n d e l a s t e m p e r a t u r a s d e l o c é a n o a c a u s a d e l c a l e n t a m i e n t o g l o b a l a u m e n t a l a p o s i b i l i d a d d e q u e o c u r r a n e v e n t o s d e
b l a n q u e a m i e n t o m á s f r e c u e n t e s y m á s d e v a s t a d o r e s , l o c u a l s e s u m a a l b l a n q u e a m i e n t o q u e y a h a r e d u c i d o l a c o b e r t u r a c o r a l i n a y l a v i t a l i d a d d e l
S A M . E l a u m e n t o d e l a s t e m p e r a t u r a s t a m b i é n p o d r í a i n c r e m e n t a r l a i n c i d e n c i a d e l a s e n f e r m e d a d e s q u e a f e c t a n a l o s c o r a l e s y l o s p e c e s , a s í c o m o
c o n t r i b u i r a l a s fl o r a c i o n e s d e a l g a s q u e s o n d a ñ i n a s y q u e a f e c t a n l a s a l u d d e l o s s e r e s h u m a n o s y l a s p e s q u e r í a s .
A m e d i d a q u e m á s C O  p r o v e n i e n t e d e l a a t m ó s f e r a s e d i s u e l v e e n e l a g u a d e m a r , l o s o c é a n o s s e v u e l v e n m á s á c i d o s , a l t e r a n d o s u q u í m i c a e n u n a
f o r m a d r a m á t i c a . L o s o r g a n i s m o s m a r i n o s , c o m o l o s c a r a c o l e s , l o s e r i z o s y l o s c o r a l e s n e c e s i t a r á n m a y o r e n e r g í a p a r a q u e l e s c r e z c a n l a s c o n c h a s
y e s q u e l e t o s , y c r e c e r á n m á s l e n t a m e n t e e n e s t a s c o n d i c i o n e s . S e a n t i c i p a q u e e s t e f e n ó m e n o o c a s i o n a r á u n a r e d u c c i ó n e n l a c a l c i fi c a c i ó n d e l o s
c o r a l e s , l a c u a l s e c r e e q u e a l c a n z a r á u n    -    p a r a e l a ñ o     . E n u n e s t u d i o d e l a b o r a t o r i o s e d e t e r m i n ó q u e e l b l a n q u e a m i e n t o r e s u l t a n t e d e l
C O  a f e c t a b a m á s a l a s a l g a s c o r a l i n a s c r u s t o s a s ( q u e s o n i m p o r t a n t e s p a r a c e m e n t a r e l a r r e c i f e y f a c i l i t a r e l e s t a b l e c i m i e n t o d e c o r a l e s j u v e n i l e s ) y
a a l g u n o s c o r a l e s e s p e c í fi c o s .


E l S i s t e m a A r r e c i f a l M e s o a m e r i c a n o h a s o b r e l l e v a d o m u c h a s t o r m e n t a s y h u r a c a n e s q u e l e h a n c a u s a d o m u c h o s d a ñ o s y , a m e d i d a q u e l o s m a r e s s e s i g u e n
c a l e n t a n d o , l a i n t e n s i d a d ( y p o s i b l e m e n t e l a f r e c u e n c i a ) d e l a s t o r m e n t a s y h u r a c a n e s p o d r í a i n c r e m e n t a r l a s i n u n d a c i o n e s y l o s o l e a j e s f u e r t e s , l o s c u a l e s
p u e d e n a r r a s a r c o n l a s c o m u n i d a d e s c o s t e r a s y l o s a r r e c i f e s y n o d a r t i e m p o a u n a r e c u p e r a c i ó n a d e c u a d a e n t r e c a d a e v e n t o .
A m e d i d a q u e l o s a r r e c i f e s m á s p r o f u n d o s q u e d a n m á s s u m e r g i d o s d e b i d o a l i n c r e m e n t o e n l o s n i v e l e s d e l m a r , u n a m e n o r p e n e t r a c i ó n d e l a l u z
p r o b a b l e m e n t e i m p i d a q u e e s t o s a r r e c i f e s c r e z c a n l o s u fi c i e n t e m e n t e r á p i d o c o m o p a r a m a n t e n e r e l r i t m o a d e c u a d o . L a s l a g u n a s y l o s a r r e c i f e s s o m e r o s
c e r c a n o s a l a c o s t a p u e d e n v e r s e a l t e r a d o s d r a m á t i c a m e n t e p o r l a s u m e r s i ó n d e l a s b a r r e r a s c o s t e r a s q u e m a n t i e n e n l a i n t e g r i d a d d e e s o s e c o s i s t e m a s
e n f o r m a n a t u r a l .
p H
R i t m o p r o m e d i o d e l c r e c i m i e n t o d e l c o r a l ( l í n e a s s ó l i d a s ) e i n t e r v a l o s d e c o n fi a n z a d e l 9 5 %
( s o m b r e a d o ) . L o s v a l o r e s c o r r e s p o n d i e n t e s a S a p o d i l l a y U t i l a p e r m a n e c e n e s t a n c a d o s d e s d e e l
e v e n t o d e b l a n q u e a m i e n t o o c u r r i d o e n 1 9 9 8 ( p < 0 . 0 0 1 ) . A d a p t a d o d e C a r i l l i e t a l . ( 2 0 0 9 )
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m a n e j o d e l a s c o s t a s y l a s p e s q u e r í a s – p u e d e d a r l e a l o s a r r e c i f e s
m á s t i e m p o p a r a r e c u p e r a r s e , m i e n t r a s q u e s u r t e n e f e c t o l o s
e s f u e r z o s p a r a r e d u c i r e l C O
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a n i v e l m u n d i a l . A l i m p l e m e n t a r
n u e v a s r e s e r v a s m a r i n a s s e d e b e t e n e r c o m o o b j e t i v o p r o t e g e r
l a s á r e a s d e a r r e c i f e q u e t i e n e n u n a m a y o r c a p a c i d a d n a t u r a l
p a r a r e c u p e r a r s e d e l b l a n q u e a m i e n t o ( c o m o c o n s e c u e n c i a d e l a s
c o r r i e n t e s d e a g u a f r í a , l a s o m b r a n a t u r a l y l a s f u e r t e s c o r r i e n t e s
d e a g u a s u p e r c i a l ) .
A p r o x i m a d a m e n t e u n 1 7 % d e t o d a s l a s e m i s i o n e s d e G E I a
n i v e l m u n d i a l s e p r o d u c e n a c o n s e c u e n c i a d e l a d e s t r u c c i ó n d e
l o s b o s q u e s t r o p i c a l e s .
3
L o s m a n g l a r e s s o n u n a p a r t e í n m a d e
e s t o s b o s q u e s , p e r o t i e n e n u n a c a p a c i d a d p a r a c a p t u r a r c a r b o n o
q u e , p o r h e c t á r e a , r e s u l t a s e i s v e c e s m a y o r q u e l a d e l o s b o s q u e s
l l u v i o s o s v í r g e n e s . E l m a n t e n i m i e n t o y l a r e f o r e s t a c i ó n d e l o s
m a n g l a r e s e s u n a e s t r a t e g i a ó p t i m a p a r a l a m i t i g a c i ó n d e l C C ,
a d e m á s , c o n l l e v a m u c h o s o t r o s b e n e c i o s s o c i a l e s y e c o n ó m i c o s
( p a r a p e s q u e r í a s , p r o t e c c i ó n c o s t e r a y t u r i s m o ) . Y a s e e s t á n
i n c l u y e n d o l o s m a n g l a r e s e n e l c o m e r c i o d e c a p t u r a d e c a r b o n o ,
m e d i a n t e e l c u a l l o s p a í s e s t r o p i c a l e s r e c i b e n p a g o s p o r c r é d i t o s
d e c a r b o n o , c o n e l n d e q u e c o n s e r v e n e s t o s e c o s i s t e m a s ( l o s
h u m e d a l e s y l e c h o s d e p a s t o s m a r i n o s s o n s u m i d e r o s d e c a r b o n o
q u e t a m b i é n p o d r í a n c u a n t i c a r s e d e n t r o d e e s t e m e c a n i s m o ) .
L o s c i e n t í c o s e s t á n s o l i c i t a n d o q u e s e t o m e n m e d i d a s d r á s t i c a s
e i n m e d i a t a s p a r a r e d u c i r l a s e m i s i o n e s d e C O
2
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o m e j o r a r l a c a p a c i d a d d e l a n a t u r a l e z a p a r a a b s o r b e r l o . E s
n e c e s a r i o a l c a n z a r e l o b j e t i v o – d e g r a n i m p o r t a n c i a e c o l ó g i c a – d e
u n m á x i m o d e 3 5 0 p p m d e C O
2
( ~ e q u i v a l e n t e a u n c a l e n t a m i e n t o
d e 1 . 5 ° C ) p a r a q u e p u e d a n s o b r e v i v i r l o s o c é a n o s y l o s a r r e c i f e s .
S e h a n d a d o c a m b i o s m u y s i g n i f i c a t i v o s e n l a s c o n d i c i o n e s d e l a s á r e a s c o s t e r a s a d y a c e n t e s a l S A M d u r a n t e l o s ú l t i m o s d o s a ñ o s . E l Í n d i c e
d e D e s a r r o l l o C o s t e r o ( I D C ) c o r r e s p o n d i e n t e a l 2 0 1 0 s e ñ a l a q u e m á s d e l 1 4 % d e l a c o s t a s e h a m o d i f i c a d o c o n s i d e r a b l e o m o d e r a d a m e n t e
– c a s i e l d o b l e q u e e n e l a ñ o 2 0 0 8 . E l á r e a q u e p e r m a n e c e e n s u e s t a d o n a t u r a l h a d i s m i n u i d o e n u n 2 5 % , l o c u a l s i g n i f i c a q u e m e n o s d e
d o s t e r c e r a s p a r t e s d e l á r e a c o s t e r a s e e n c u e n t r a n e n u n e s t a d o n a t u r a l o l i g e r a m e n t e m o d i f i c a d o . E n t r e l a s á r e a s c o n u n a l t o n i v e l d e
d e s a r r o l l o s e i n c l u y e n l a s c i u d a d e s p r i n c i p a l e s , l a s á r e a s t u r í s t i c a s c o m o l a R i v i e r a M a y a y C o z u m e l e n M é x i c o y l a s I s l a s d e l a B a h í a e n
H o n d u r a s , a s í c o m o l a s á r e a s a g r í c o l a s d e S t a n n C r e e k , B e l i c e y l a c o s t a n o r t e d e H o n d u r a s . S i e l d e s a r r o l l o c o s t e r o s i g u e a l m i s m o r i t m o ,
l a ú n i c a e x t e n s i ó n g r a n d e d e c o s t a n a t u r a l y s i n d e s a r r o l l a r e s t a r á d e n t r o d e l a s á r e a s p r o t e g i d a s , c o m o l a R e s e r v a d e l a B i ó s f e r a S i a n K a ’ a n
e n M é x i c o .
S e p u e d e u t i l i z a r l a f o t o g r a f í a a é r e a g e o r e f e r e n c i a d a p a r a d e t e c t a r l o s c a m b i o s e n l a s á r e a s q u e s o n m u y p e q u e ñ a s y n o p u e d e n s e r
l o c a l i z a d a s p o r m e d i o d e l a s i m á g e n e s s a t e l i t a l e s . E s p o s i b l e q u e o t r o s t i p o s d e d e s a r r o l l o c o s t e r o , c o m o l a s o p e r a c i o n e s d e d r a g a d o
m a r i n o , t a m b i é n d e b a n m a p e a r s e p o r m e d i o d e l o s a p o r t e s d e l o s i n t e r e s a d o s o p o r m e d i o d e e n l a c e s a l a s a g e n c i a s q u e a s í l o p e r m i t a n .
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l o s h u m a n o s h a n a l t e r a d o e l p a i s a j e e n l a s á r e a s c o s t e r a s .
E l I D C e s t á b a s a d o e n :
· L a p o b l a c i o n c o s t e r a :
· L l a r e a d e t i e r r a s c o s t e r a s c u b i e r t a p o r i n f r a e s t r u c t u r a
m a y o r : u r b a n a o a g r l c o l a :
· L l n i v e l d e c o n s t r u c c i o n d e c a r r e t e r a s c o s t e r a s :
· L a t a s a d e c r e c i m i e n t o d e l a p o b l a c i o n c o s t e r a : y ,
· L l r i t m o a l q u e s e d e s a r r o l l a l a t i e r r a c o s t e r a e n e s t a d o
n a t u r a l .
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1 3
L o s t i b u r o n e s s o n d e p r e d a d o r e s e n e l n i v e l t r ó f i c o m á s a l t o y
s o n c o m p o n e n t e s e s e n c i a l e s p a r a e l f u n c i o n a m i e n t o d e l o s
e c o s i s t e m a s m a r i n o s . D e s e m p e ñ a n f u n c i o n e s c l a v e e n l a
e s t r u c t u r a c i ó n d e l a s c o m u n i d a d e s d e p e c e s y e n e l d e s a r r o l l o d e
l a c a p a c i d a d q u e t i e n e e l a r r e c i f e p a r a r e c u p e r a r s e , e l i m i n a n d o
a l o s p e c e s m á s p e q u e ñ o s y m á s d é b i l e s d e u n a p o b l a c i ó n . L a s
p o b l a c i o n e s d e t i b u r ó n e s t á n d i s m i n u y e n d o e n t o d o e l m u n d o ,
p r i n c i p a l m e n t e p o r l a p e s c a , l o c u a l s e c o m p l i c a a ú n m á s
c u a n d o o b s e r v a m o s q u e s u c r e c i m i e n t o e s l e n t o , s u l o n g e v i d a d
e s c o r t a , s u m a d u r e z s e x u a l e s t a r d í a y s u s c r í a s s o n p o c a s .
M á s d e l a m i t a d d e l a s e s p e c i e s d e t i b u r o n e s d e m a r a b i e r t o
e s t á n c o n s i d e r a d a s e n p e l i g r o d e e x t i n c i ó n .
1
L a s o b r e p e s c a d e
t i b u r ó n t a m b i é n p u e d e d e s e n c a d e n a r e l p o t e n c i a l d e u n c o l a p s o
o c a s c a d a t r ó f i c a , u n a a l t e r a c i ó n d e l a r e d t r ó f i c a q u e p u e d e
c o n d u c i r a u n a s o b r e a b u n d a n c i a d e c o n s u m i d o r e s s e c u n d a r i o s y
u n a e s c a s e z d e p r e s a s , a m b o s s í n t o m a s d e u n a f a l t a d e e q u i l i b r i o
e n l o s e c o s i s t e m a s . L a i n f o r m a c i ó n a c e r c a d e l a d i v e r s i d a d ,
a b u n d a n c i a y d i s t r i b u c i ó n d e l o s t i b u r o n e s , a s í c o m o l o s n i v e l e s
a c t u a l e s d e s u e x p l o t a c i ó n e s m u y e s c a s a . S i n e m b a r g o , h a y
c r e c i e n t e e v i d e n c i a d e q u e a l g u n a s e s p e c i e s p u e d e n r e g r e s a r a
s u l u g a r d e o r i g e n , a l a s z o n a s d o n d e g e n e r a l m e n t e s e a l i m e n t a n
o a l o s s i t i o s d e a p a r e a m i e n t o h a b i t u a l e s v a r i a s v e c e s a l o l a r g o
d e s u s v i d a s , t a l c o m o l o h a c e e l s a l m ó n o l a t o r t u g a m a r i n a .
2

E s t o s h a l l a z g o s t i e n e n i m p o r t a n t e s i m p l i c a c i o n e s e n c u a n t o
a l a f o r m a c o m o l o s a d m i n i s t r a d o r e s p u e d e n p r o t e g e r a l o s
t i b u r o n e s y s u b r a y a l a i m p o r t a n c i a d e c o n s e r v a r l o s h á b i t a t s q u e
l e s o n e s e n c i a l e s .
A ú n c u a n d o e l S i s t e m a A r r e c i f a l M e s o a m e r i c a n o t o d a v í a
c o n s e r v a m u c h o s d e l o s h á b i t a t s a r r e c i f a l e s , c o s t e r o s o e s t u a r i n o s
q u e s e c o n s i d e r a n e s e n c i a l e s , s u s p o b l a c i o n e s l o c a l e s s e v e n
a f e c t a d a s r á p i d a m e n t e p o r l a s o b r e p e s c a y p o r l a u r b a n i z a c i ó n
s i n c o n t r o l e n s u s h á b i t a t s d e c r i a n z a .
1
* D e l a s a p r o x i m a d a m e n t e
4 0 0 e s p e c i e s d e t i b u r ó n d e s c r i t a s a n i v e l m u n d i a l , p o r l o m e n o s
3 0 s e h a n r e g i s t r a d o e n e l S A M . L o s t i b u r o n e s b a l l e n a s e h a n
c o n v e r t i d o e n l a e s p e c i e e m b l e m á t i c a d e l a c o n s e r v a c i ó n m a r i n a
e n e l S A M y g e n e r a n u n a e n t r a d a c o n s i d e r a b l e d e d i v i s a s a t r a v é s
d e l e c o t u r i s m o . R e c i e n t e m e n t e s e d e t e r m i n ó q u e l a R e s e r v a
M a r i n a G l a d d e n S p i t , m e j o r c o n o c i d a p o r l a s a g r e g a c i o n e s d e
t i b u r ó n b a l l e n a q u e o c u r r e n e n e l l a , p r o d u j o U S $ 4 m i l l o n e s e n
b e n e f i c i o s a l a s e m p r e s a s d e t u r i s m o y l a c o m u n i d a d l o c a l e n u n
a ñ o . E s t o e q u i v a l e a U S $ 1 3 - 2 9 m i l l o n e s e n e l t r a n s c u r s o d e l o s
s i g u i e n t e s 2 5 a ñ o s .
3
T a m b i é n h a y c o n s i d e r a b l e s a g r e g a c i o n e s d e
t i b u r ó n b a l l e n a y a c t i v i d a d e s d e e c o t u r i s m o c e r c a d e H o l b o x ,
M é x i c o y U t i l a , H o n d u r a s .
M e d i a n t e u n e s t u d i o r e c i e n t e r e a l i z a d o p o r b u z o s v o l u n t a r i o s
c a p a c i t a d o s p o r R E E F e n t r e 1 9 9 3 y 2 0 0 8 , q u e i n c l u y ó 7 6 , 3 4 0
m o n i t o r e o s s u b m a r i n o s , s e p u d o c o n s t a t a r q u e f a c t o r e s
h u m a n o s e n l a s á r e a s c o s t e r a s , d o m i n a d o p o r l a s o b r e -
e x p l o t a c i ó n , p r o b a b l e m e n t e s e a n l a c a u s a d e q u e n o h a y a
p o b l a c i o n e s d e t i b u r o n e s e n m u c h o s d e l o s a r r e c i f e s d e l
C a r i b e . E l m a p a q u e a p a r e c e a c o n t i n u a c i ó n m u e s t r a q u e h a y
r e l a t i v a m e n t e p o c o s a v i s t a m i e n t o s d e t i b u r o n e s e n e l S A M e n
c o m p a r a c i ó n c o n a l g u n a s o t r a s á r e a s . L o s r e g i s t r o s h i s t ó r i c o s
s o b r e a b u n d a n c i a s m u e s t r a n q u e – i n c l u s i v e e n é p o c a s t a n
r e c i e n t e s c o m o l o s a ñ o s 5 0 – s e e s p e r a b a v e r t i b u r o n e s “ e n t o d a s
p a r t e s y e n t o d o m o m e n t o ” e n l a r e g i ó n d e l a s A n t i l l a s e n e l
C a r i b e . S i n e m b a r g o , h o y e n d í a l o s m o n i t o r e o s s u b m a r i n o s
i n d i c a n q u e , c o n e x c e p c i ó n d e l t i b u r ó n g a t a o n o d r i z a , n o s e
e s p e r a v e r t i b u r o n e s “ e n n i n g ú n l u g a r n i e n n i n g ú n m o m e n t o ” .
P a r a e v i t a r q u e l o s t i b u r o n e s d e s a p a r e z c a n p o r c o m p l e t o ,
s e r e q u i e r e n m e d i d a s u r g e n t e s d e g e s t i ó n , i n c l u y e n d o l a
p r o h i b i c i ó n d e r e d e s d e e n m a l l e o a g a l l e r a s , l a l o n g i t u d
d e p a l a n g r e s o c i m b r a s y l a i m p l e m e n t a c i ó n i n m e d i a t a d e
r e s t r i c c i o n e s s o b r e l a s e x p o r t a c i o n e s d e t i b u r ó n . “ E l h e c h o d e
q u e l o s t i b u r o n e s t o d a v í a e x i s t a n e n á r e a s d e n s a m e n t e p o b l a d a s
d o n d e s e i m p l e m e n t a n r e g u l a c i o n e s e s t r i c t a s p a r a l a p e s c a
i n d i c a q u e s í s e p u e d e l o g r a r u n a g e s t i ó n e x i t o s a y s e p u e d e
f o m e n t a r l a i m p l e m e n t a c i ó n d e m e d i d a s d e c o n s e r v a c i ó n q u e
p o d r í a n r e s t a u r a r a l t i b u r ó n y s u p a p e l e c o l ó g i c o y f u n c i o n a l
d e n t r o d e l o s a r r e c i f e s ” .
4
T I B U R O N E S : V I V O S V A L E N M Á S
D i s t r i b u c i ó n y f r e c u e n c i a d e o b s e r v a c i ó n d e t i b u r o n e s e n l o s
a r r e c i f e s d e l C a r i b e m a y o r . L o q u e s e m u e s t r a s o n c e l d a s d e 1 K m 2
q u e f u e r o n m o n i t o r e a d a s p a r a t o d a s l a s e s p e c i e s e x c e p t u a n d o
t i b u r o n e s n o d r i z a .
E l r e s p e t o q u e s e m e r e c e n : E n 1 9 9 8 , H o n d u r a s i n s t i t u y ó m e d i d a s p a r a
p r o t e g e r c o m p l e t a m e n t e a l t i b u r ó n b a l l e n a y l u e g o e s t a b l e c i ó u n a
p r o h i b i c i ó n t o t a l a t o d a l a p e s c a d e t i b u r ó n e n 2 0 1 0 . B e l i c e d i c t ó l a
p r o t e c c i ó n a l t i b u r ó n b a l l e n a e n s u s a g u a s e n e l a ñ o 2 0 0 3 y p r o h i b i ó
e l u s o d e l p a l a n g r e y l a s r e d e s d e e n m a l l e d e n t r o d e l a s r e s e r v a s
m a r i n a s , c u y a e f i c i e n c i a p a r a c a p t u r a r t i b u r o n e s e s b i e n c o n o c i d a .
E n e l a ñ o 2 0 0 8 , M é x i c o p r o h i b i ó e l a l e t e o d e t i b u r o n e s y d i c t ó u n a
p r o t e c c i ó n t o t a l a l t i b u r ó n b a l l e n a y a l a m a n t a r r a y a e n t o d a s s u s a g u a s
t e r r i t o r i a l e s . R e c i e n t e m e n t e , M é x i c o t a m b i é n c r e ó l a R e s e r v a d e l a
B i ó s f e r a d e l T i b u r ó n B a l l e n a – u n á r e a d e 5 9 , 0 7 9 h e c t á r e a s d e n t r o d e
l a c u a l s e i n c l u y e n l a s á r e a s p r o t e g i d a s Y u m B a l a m y H o l b o x – d o n d e s e
d a n a g r e g a c i o n e s e s t a c i o n a l e s e n l a s q u e p a r t i c i p a n p o r l o m e n o s 2 0 0
t i b u r o n e s b a l l e n a c o n f i n e s d e a l i m e n t a c i ó n .
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e n e l c a y o N o - N a m e e n e l S u r d e B e l i z e .   S e e s t i m a q u e u n o s 7 3
m i l l o n e s d e t i b u r o n e s m u e r e n s ó l o p o r s u s a l e t a s – a u n r i t m o
m a y o r d e l q u e s e r e p r o d u c e n .
L O S P E C E S G R A N D E S D E S E M P E Ñ A N U N P A P E L
I M P O R T A N T E E N L A S A L U D D E L O S A R R E C I F E S
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8 0 % d e l o s p e c e s d e l m u n d o s e e s t á n s o b r e e x p l o t a n d o
o y a h a n d e s a p a r e c i d o d e l t o d o .
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i n v e s t i g a c i o n e s m á s r e c i e n t e s s e h a p o d i d o d e t e r m i n a r
q u e l a s d é c a d a s d e s o b r e p e s c a n o s ó l o h a n d i e z m a d o
l a s p o b l a c i o n e s d e p e c e s d e n u e s t r o s o c é a n o s , s i n o
q u e t a m b i é n h a n r e d u c i d o l o s i n g r e s o s e c o n ó m i c o s y
c o n t r i b u i d o a l a d e s n u t r i c i ó n e n e l m u n d o , a f e c t a n d o
p r i n c i p a l m e n t e a g e n t e d e b a j o s r e c u r s o s e c o n ó m i c o s .
2

L a s r a z o n e s p a r a d e t e n e r l a p e s c a n o s o s t e n i b l e n o s o n
s ó l o e c o l ó g i c a s , l a s i m p l i c a c i o n e s q u e é s t a t i e n e e n
c u a n t o a l o s e f e c t o s e n l a s a l u d d e l o s s e r e s h u m a n o s y
e n l a e c o n o m í a s o n c r u c i a l e s .
L o s p e c e s g r a n d e s s o n m u y i m p o r t a n t e s d e s d e e l
p u n t o d e v i s t a e c o l ó g i c o , y a q u e s u p r o d u c c i ó n d e
c r í a s a u m e n t a e x p o n e n c i a l m e n t e c o n s u t a m a ñ o . P o r e s a
r a z ó n , r e a b a s t e c e n a l a s p o b l a c i o n e s q u e s e h a n r e d u c i d o
d r á s t i c a m e n t e . P o r e j e m p l o , u n m e r o d e 4 0 c m p u e d e
p r o d u c i r h a s t a 3 5 0 , 0 0 0 c r í a s , p e r o s i s e l e p e r m i t e l l e g a r
a m e d i r 6 0 c m d e l a r g o , p u e d e p r o d u c i r ~ 3 m i l l o n e s
d e c r í a s .
3
E n e l S A M , s e c o n t a r o n 8 8 , 3 5 4 p e c e s e n l o s
t r a n s e c t o s d e l A G R R A e n t r e l o s a ñ o s 2 0 0 5 y 2 0 0 9 , p e r o
s o r p r e n d e n t e m e n t e , s ó l o u n 1 % d e e s t o s p e c e s p a s a b a n d e
l o s 4 0 c m d e l a r g o . L o s a v i s t a m i e n t o s d e p a r g o s y m e r o s
g r a n d e s f u e r o n s u m a m e n t e r a r o s y l a m a y o r í a d e l o s p e c e s
d e m a y o r t a m a ñ o s o n c a c h o s , p e c e s l o r o s y b a r r a c u d a s . L a
a u s e n c i a d e p e c e s g r a n d e s e s u n a d e l a s r a z o n e s p r i n c i p a l e s
d e l a b a j a b i o m a s a d e p e c e s q u e h a y e n e l S A M , c o n r e l a c i ó n
a l a b i o m a s a d e l s u r e s t e d e l C a r i b e .
4
L o s p e c e s h e r b í v o r o s , c o m o l o s p e c e s l o r o y c i r u j a n o
t a m b i é n s o n i m p o r t a n t e s , r e d u c e n l a s m a c r o a l g a s q u e
i n v a d e n l o s c o r a l e s y a y u d a n a c r e a r u n s u s t r a t o a p r o p i a d o
1 1
U n m e r o G o l i a t , e n p e l i g r o c r í t i c o d e e x t i n c i ó n , o b s e r v a d o e n W e s t E n d ,
R o a t á n . “ U n n o v e n t a p o r c i e n t o d e l o s p e c e s g r a n d e s h a n d e s a p a r e c i d o , p e r o
s i l o s d e j a m o s t r a n q u i l o s , p o d r í a n r e g r e s a r . ” R o n O ’ D o r , C i e n t í f i c o e n J e f e d e
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p a r a e l r e c l u t a m i e n t o d e n u e v o s c o r a l e s . L o s p e c e s l o r o d e
g r a n t a m a ñ o s o n s u m a m e n t e v a l i o s o s p o r q u e f o r r a j e a n c o n
m u c h a e f e c t i v i d a d y s o n m u y n u m e r o s o s . S i n e m b a r g o ,
e s t a s e s p e c i e s s o n b l a n c o s f á c i l e s y c o m u n e s p a r a l o s
p e s c a d o r e s . D e l o s 2 1 , 8 3 6 p e c e s l o r o v q u e s e r e g i s t r a r o n
e n e l S A M e n t r e e l 2 0 0 5 y e l 2 0 0 9 , m á s d e u n 8 0 % t e n í a n
< 2 0 c m d e l a r g o , s ó l o u n 1 % t e n í a n u n l a r g o d e > 4 0 c m .
B e l i c e d i o u n p a s o h a c i a a d e l a n t e e n a b r i l d e l 2 0 1 0 c u a n d o
e s t a b l e c i ó m e d i d a s d e p r o t e c c i ó n t o t a l a l o s p e c e s l o r o y
c i r u j a n o , s a l v a g u a r d a n d o a e s t a s e s p e c i e s y g a r a n t i z a n d o
s u c a p a c i d a d p a r a m a n t e n e r l a f u n c i ó n d e l a r r e c i f e .
L a s r e s e r v a s m a r i n a s b a j o p r o t e c c i ó n t o t a l s o n l o s
ú l t i m o s r e f u g i o s p a r a l o s p e c e s m á s g r a n d e s y f u n c i o n a n
c o m o z o n a s d e r e a b a s t e c i m i e n t o . D e l o s c u a t r o p a í s e s
e n e l S A M , B e l i c e e s e l q u e c u e n t a c o n m á s e x t e n s i ó n d e
á r e a s m a r i n a s t o t a l m e n t e p r o t e g i d a s y a u n a s í , e s t e 2 %
( u s a n d o l a s 1 2 m i l l a s d e l í m i t e m a r í t i m o t e r r i t o r i a l ) o
e l ~ 4 % ( u s a n d o l a s 3 m i l l a s d e l í m i t e t e r r i t o r i a l ) e s s ó l o
e l p r i n c i p i o . L o s c i e n t í f i c o s r e c o m i e n d a n q u e p o r l o
m e n o s u n 2 0 % d e l á r e a m a r i n a d e b i e r a e s t a r t o t a l m e n t e
p r o t e g i d a p a r a l o g r a r m a n t e n e r l a s f u n c i o n e s e c o l ó g i c a s
c l a v e s y p a r a r e a b a s t e c e r l a s p o b l a c i o n e s d e p e c e s q u e
s e h a n r e d u c i d o d r á s t i c a m e n t e . U n a d e l a s f o r m a s m á s
e f i c i e n t e s d e i n c r e m e n t a r e s t a b i o m a s a d e p e c e s , s o s t e n e r
l a s p e s q u e r í a s l o c a l e s y r e s t a u r a r l a s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e e s
i n c r e m e n t a r e l á r e a q u e e s t á b a j o p r o t e c c i ó n t o t a l y h a c e r
q u e s e r e s p e t e n d i c h a s á r e a s . U n e q u i p o i n t e r n a c i o n a l d e
c i e n t í f i c o s h a p r o p u e s t o q u e l a p r o h i b i c i ó n d e a r t e s d e
p e s c a c o m o l o s a r p o n e s , l a s t r a m p a s y l a s r e d e s d e p e s c a
p o d r í a n c o n t r i b u i r a l a r e c u p e r a c i ó n d e l o s a r r e c i f e s y l a s
p o b l a c i o n e s d e p e c e s q u e h a n q u e d a d o d e v a s t a d o s p o r
l o s e v e n t o s d e b l a n q u e a m i e n t o d e l c o r a l .
5
E s t e e q u i p o
i n v e s t i g ó l o s e f e c t o s d e c i n c o a r t e s d e p e s c a y e s t a b l e c i ó
q u e l o s a r p o n e s e r a n l o s m á s d a ñ i n o s p a r a l o s c o r a l e s y
p a r a l a s e s p e c i e s d e p e c e s s u s c e p t i b l e s . A d e m á s , l o s
u s o s r e c r e a t i v o s y n o e x t r a c t i v o s , c o m o e l b u c e o y l a s
e x c u r s i o n e s , g e n e r a n c r e c i e n t e s b e n e f i c i o s e c o n ó m i c o s ,
l o s c u a l e s d e b e n f o m e n t a r s e c o m o o p c i o n e s a l t e r n a t i v a s a
l a p e s c a n o s o s t e n i b l e .
E l p e z l e ó n , P t e r o i s v o l i t a n s , e s o r i g i n a r i o d e l O c é a n o Í n d i c o ,
p e r o e s u n e j e m p l a r m u y c o t i z a d o e n e l c o m e r c i o d e a c u a r i o s e n
l o s E s t a d o s U n i d o s . S e c o n s i d e r a u n a e s p e c i e i n v a s i v a d e b i d o a
s u c a p a c i d a d p a r a a l t e r a r l a e s t r u c t u r a y l a c o m p o s i c i ó n d e l a s
c o m u n i d a d e s b i o l ó g i c a s , y a q u e d o m i n a a l a s e s p e c i e s n a t i v a s y
r e d u c e a s í l a d i v e r s i d a d d e l a s e s p e c i e s e n f o r m a g e n e r a l i z a d a .
A u n q u e l a i n v a s i ó n d e l p e z l e ó n e m p e z ó e n 1 9 9 2 , s e h a b í a
m a n t e n i d o b a s t a n t e a i s l a d a , y e n 2 0 0 7 l l e g ó a C u b a y a l a s
I s l a s T u r c a s y C a i c o s . L u e g o , i n v a d i ó B e l i c e a f i n a l e s d e l 2 0 0 8
y s e g u i d a m e n t e s e p r o p a g ó d e u n a m a n e r a e x p o n e n c i a l e n l a
m a y o r p a r t e d e l C a r i b e , l l e g a n d o h a s t a C o l o m b i a e n 2 0 1 0 .
1
E l
p e z l e ó n a h o r a h a b i t a e n l u g a r e s q u e v a n d e s d e l o s e s t u a r i o s
c o s t e r o s h a s t a á r e a s c o n u n a p r o f u n d i d a d d e 3 0 0 m e t r o s ( 1 , 0 0 0
p i e s ) e n e l A t l á n t i c o O e s t e t r o p i c a l .
E l p e z l e ó n c o l o n i z ó e s t a s á r e a s r á p i d a m e n t e p o r q u e n o e x i s t e
n i n g ú n d e p r e d a d o r n a t u r a l y t i e n e n u n r i t m o m u y r á p i d o
d e r e p r o d u c c i ó n . P u e d e p o n e r h a s t a 3 0 , 0 0 0 h u e v o s e n u n
s o l o e p i s o d i o d e d e s o v e y p u e d e d e s o v a r t o d o s l o s m e s e s .
S u a p e t i t o e s v o r a z , p o r l o q u e e s u n a a m e n a z a q u e p u e d e
e l i m i n a r p o b l a c i o n e s d e p e c e s n a t i v o s y l a n g o s t a s y , a d e m á s ,
s e a l i m e n t a d e p e c e s a r r e c i f a l e s y c r u s t á c e o s c o n a l t o v a l o r
c o m e r c i a l p a r a p e s c a d o r e s y e l t u r i s m o d e r e c r e a c i ó n m a r i n a .
L o s a d m i n i s t r a d o r e s d e A P M ’ s e s t á n f o m e n t a n d o l a p e s c a d e
e s t a e s p e c i e c o m o f u e n t e a l t e r n a t i v a d e p r o t e í n a y m e c a n i s m o
d e c o n t r o l , y r e c i e n t e m e n t e , s e h a n r e c i b i d o i n f o r m e s d e m e r o s
y m o r e n a s q u e h a n a p r e n d i d o a c a z a r e s t o s p e c e s . P a r a e l s e r
h u m a n o , e l p e z l e ó n e s e x q u i s i t o , c o n u n s a b o r d e l i c a d o . S u
v e n e n o e s t á c o n c e n t r a d o e n l a s e s p i n a s y n o e n s u s ó r g a n o s
i n t e r n o s , p o r l o q u e d e b e t e n e r s e m u c h o c u i d a d o c o n l a s e s p i n a s
c u a n d o s e p e s c a y c u a n d o s e f i l e t e a . E s t o s p e c e s s o n t e n a c e s y
s u e r r a d i c a c i ó n t o t a l r e s u l t a r á m u y d i f í c i l , a m e n o s q u e s u r j a n
f a c t o r e s n a t u r a l e s q u e l o s c o n t r o l e n , c o m o d e p r e d a d o r e s ,
c o m p e t i d o r e s , p a r á s i t o s o e n f e r m e d a d e s . R e s t a u r a n d o l a s
p o b l a c i o n e s d e m e r o s y d e s a r r o l l a n d o u n a p e s q u e r í a q u e c a p t u r e
a c t i v a m e n t e a e s t a e s p e c i e , p o d r e m o s l l e g a r a u n e s t a d o d e
e q u i l i b r i o a c e p t a b l e ( a l o s s e r e s h u m a n o s ) d e n t r o d e l e c o s i s t e m a
m a r i n o d e l A t l á n t i c o O e s t e .
2
B E L L O S P E R O M O R T Í F E R O S - L A I N V A S I Ó N
D E L P E Z L E Ó N
E n B e l i c e , e l p e z l e ó n h a i n v a d i d o p r á c t i c a m e n t e t o d o e l s i s t e m a
a r r e c i f a l e n m e n o s d e d o s a ñ o s . L o s t o r n e o s d e p e s c a d e p e z l e ó n ,
q u e s e l l e v a n a c a b o t o d o s l o s m e s e s , f o m e n t a n l a c o m p e t e n c i a
e n t r e d o s g r u p o s c l a v e : l o s p e s c a d o r e s y l o s g u í a s d e t u r i s m o , a
l a v e z q u e b r i n d a n e s t a d í s t i c a s . S e h a n l o g r a d o p e s c a r m á s d e
2 , 8 0 0 p e c e s l e ó n d e s d e m a y o – ¡ y s ó l o e n a g o s t o s e p e s c a r o n
m á s d e 1 1 0 0 ! . S e h a n e n c o n t r a d o h u e v a s e n p e c e s l e ó n d e 2 0 . 1
c m ( 8 . 0 p u l g a d a s ) y m á s . E n j u l i o d e 2 0 1 0 , e l 5 7 % d e l o s p e c e s
l e ó n t e n í a n u n t a m a ñ o m a y o r a é s t e , i n d i c a n d o q u e l a p o b l a c i ó n
c u e n t a c o n u n p o t e n c i a l e n o r m e p a r a r e p r o d u c i r s e . E n t r e s u s
p r e s a s s e i n c l u y e n l o s j u r e l e s , l á b r i d o s , c a m a r o n e s y c a n g r e j o s .
E l p e z l e ó n e s a p e t i t o s o , s i e n d o u n a d e l a s p r o p a g a n d a s m á s
l l a m a t i v a s : “ L o s p e c e s l e ó n n o t i e n e n v e d a ; c o m a e l d o b l e ” ,
c o n e l f i n d e f o m e n t a r e l c o n s u m o d e e s t a e s p e c i e . S e e s t á n
d i s t r i b u y e n d o r ó t u l o s c o m o : “ A q u í s e s i r v e p e z l e ó n ” p a r a
i n c e n t i v a r a l o s r e s t a u r a n t e s a i n c l u i r e s t e p e z e n s u s m e n ú s .
U n a f o r m a d e c o n t r o l a r s u p o b l a c i ó n e s a u m e n t a n d o s u p e s c a .
3
E n H o n d u r a s , s e r e p o r t a r o n m á s d e 5 3 0 p e c e s l e ó n e n u n s o l o
e s t u d i o l l e v a d o a c a b o e n e l P a r q u e M a r i n o d e R o a t á n e n t r e
m a y o d e 2 0 0 9 y m a r z o d e 2 0 1 0 . S e e n c o n t r a r o n p e c e s l e ó n e n 6
d e l o s 2 1 s i t i o s q u e s e e s t u d i a r o n y s e e s t a b l e c i ó s u p r e f e r e n c i a
p o r , l o s a r r e c i f e s d e p a r c h e y l o s l e c h o s d e p a s t o s m a r i n o s . L o s
a d u l t o s s e u b i c a n p r i n c i p a l m e n t e e n l o s h á b i t a t s d e l a r r e c i f e
c o r a l i n o , m i e n t r a s q u e l o s j u v e n i l e s v i v e n e n l o s h á b i t a t s d e
p a s t o s m a r i n o s . A e s c a l a d e m i c r o h á b i t a t s , p r e f i e r e n e l c o r a l
d u r o y l a s e s t r u c t u r a s s a l i e n t e s .
4
S e h a l o g r a d o i n c o r p o r a r a
c i u d a d a n o s v o l u n t a r i o s e n l o s e s f u e r z o s p a r a c o n t r o l a r l o s . L a
R e e f E n v i r o n m e n t a l E d u c a t i o n F o u n d a t i o n ( F u n d a c i ó n p a r a l a
E d u c a c i ó n A m b i e n t a l s o b r e A r r e c i f e s — R E E F e n i n g l é s ) d i s e ñ ó
u n m é t o d o s e n c i l l o q u e p u e d e n l l e v a r a c a b o b u z o s v o l u n t a r i o s
c o n e l f i n d e r e g i s t r a r a l o s p e c e s l e ó n y a o t r a s e s p e c i e s , a s í
c o m o p a r a v e r i f i c a r c i e r t a s c a r a c t e r í s t i c a s d e l o s h á b i t a t s . L o s
d a t o s s o b r e l a p r e v a l e n c i a y e l t a m a ñ o d e l o s p e c e s l e ó n q u e s e
e s t á n r e c a b a n d o e n e l P a r q u e M a r i n o d e R o a t á n y e n o t r o s s i t i o s
s o n u n e j e m p l o d e l a e f i c a c i a d e e s t e t i p o d e c i e n c i a “ p o r p a r t e
d e l o s c i u d a d a n o s ” . O t r o s e s t u d i o s q u e r e g i s t r e n l a s d e n s i d a d e s ,
e l c o m p o r t a m i e n t o y l a s r e l a c i o n e s e n t r e l o s h á b i t a t s d e l p e z
l e ó n t a m b i é n s e r í a n m u y b e n e f i c i o s o s p a r a l o s a d m i n i s t r a d o r e s
d e á r e a s p r o t e g i d a s .
E n M é x i c o , s e a v i s t a r o n p o r p r i m e r a v e z e n l a s a g u a s d e l C a r i b e
a p r i n c i p i o s d e l 2 0 0 9 , e n C o z u m e l , y l u e g o s e i n c r e m e n t a r o n
e n l a s c o s t a s d e Q u i n t a n a R o o . E n 2 0 1 0 , s e e n c o n t r a r o n e n e l
a r r e c i f e A l a c r a n e s – s i t u a d o a 5 0 m i l l a s d e l a c o s t a d e Y u c a t á n – ,
a s í c o m o a l o l a r g o d e l a s c o s t a s d e C a m p e c h e . E l P a r q u e
N a c i o n a l A r r e c i f e s d e C o z u m e l c u e n t a c o n u n a b a s e d e d a t o s
q u e s e i n c r e m e n t a c o n s t a n t e m e n t e y q u e i n c l u y e a m á s d e 1 2 0 0
p e c e s l e ó n c a p t u r a d o s e n C o z u m e l d e s d e e l a ñ o 2 0 0 9 . F u e r a
d e l P a r q u e , s e p e s c a r o n m á s d e 1 0 0 0 e n s e p t i e m b r e d e 2 0 1 0 ,
p o r m e d i o d e u n p r o g r a m a d e e m p l e o t e m p o r a l d e t r e s m e s e s .
5
U n t a l l e r r e g i o n a l s e l l e v ó a c a b o e n a g o s t o d e l 2 0 1 0 c o n e l f i n
d e g e n e r a r u n p l a n e s t r a t é g i c o p a r a c o n t r o l a r e s t a e s p e c i e e n e l
G r a n C a r i b e , e l a b o r a r m e j o r e s p r á c t i c a s d e c o n t r o l y m e j o r a r l a s
v í a s d e c o m u n i c a c i ó n y c o l a b o r a c i ó n , c o n m i r a s a a u m e n t a r l a s .
6

E n l a U n i v e r s i d a d d e Q u i n t a n a R o o s e e s t á n l l e v a n d o a c a b o
e s t u d i o s c i e n t í f i c o s s o b r e e l c o m p o r t a m i e n t o d e l p e z l e ó n , c o n
e l f i n d e a y u d a r a m a n e j a r s u s p o b l a c i o n e s e n v a r i o s p a í s e s d e
m a n e r a c o o r d i n a d a .
7
1 0
G u a r d a p a r q u e e n C o z u m e l m u e s t r a e j e m p l a r e s d e p e z
l e ó n   c a p t u r a d o s e n e l n o r t e d e l a i s l a
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H a c e d o s d é c a d a s , s e c o n s i d e r a b a q u e e l E c o s i s t e m a A r r e c i f a l M e s o a m e r i c a n o
e s t a b a e n m e j o r e s c o n d i c i o n e s q u e m u c h o s o t r o s a r r e c i f e s d e l C a r i b e – s i n
e m b a r g o , h o y e n d í a , e s t a d i s t i n c i ó n e s p o c o p r o b a b l e . M u c h o s d e l o s i n d i c a d o r e s
d e l a s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e ( e s p e c i a l m e n t e l a a b u n d a n c i a d e p e c e s ) e s t á n a h o r a p o r
d e b a j o d e l p r o m e d i o c o r r e s p o n d i e n t e a l C a r i b e . L a s a m e n a z a s , c o m o e l c a m b i o
c l i m á t i c o , d e s a r r o l l o c o s t e r o y t u r i s m o , e s t á n a u m e n t a n d o r á p i d a m e n t e . O t r a s
s o n n u e v a s , c o m o l a i n v a s i ó n d e l p e z l e ó n , m i e n t r a s q u e l o s r i e s g o s d e e x p l o r a c i ó n
p e t r o l e r a e n m a r a b i e r t o e s t á n r e c i b i e n d o m a y o r a t e n c i ó n d e s p u é s d e l d e r r a m e
e n e l G o l f o d e M é x i c o .
L a s a m e n a z a s s e c l a s i f i c a n c o m o a c t i v i d a d e s a n t r o p o g é n i c a s y e v e n t o s n a t u r a l e s ,
q u e d i r e c t a o i n d i r e c t a m e n t e , i n f l u y e n e n l a i n t e g r i d a d y s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e . E l
i m p a c t o c o m b i n a d o d e e s t a s a c t i v i d a d e s y e v e n t o s p u e d e t e n e r e f e c t o s a l a r g o
p l a z o e n l o s p r o c e s o s e c o l ó g i c o s , q u e p u e d e n , a s u v e z , d i f i c u l t a r l a c a p a c i d a d d e l
a r r e c i f e p a r a r e c u p e r a r s e y s o b r e v i v i r . L a r e c u p e r a c i ó n d e s p u é s d e d i s t u r b i o s e s t á
r e t r a s a d a o n o s e o b s e r v a e n m u c h o s a r r e c i f e s . D i s t u r b i o s e n l a n a t u r a l e z a q u e
a l g u n a v e z f u e r o n g r a v e s ( e j : b l a n q u e a m i e n t o d e c o r a l o e n f e r m e d a d e s ) a h o r a
s o n c r ó n i c o s .
L a s p r i n c i p a l e s a m e n a z a s p a r a e l a r r e c i f e s e m u e s t r a n e n l a s i g u i e n t e f i g u r a . L a s a m e n a z a s c o n i m p o r t a n c i a i n m e d i a t a e n e l
S A M s o n d e t a l l a d a s e n l a s s i g u i e n t e s p á g i n a s , i n c l u y e n d o l a i n v a s i ó n d e l p e z l e ó n , s o b r e p e s c a d e g r a n d e s p e c e s y t i b u r o n e s ,
d e s a r r o l l o c o s t e r o , c a m b i o c l i m á t i c o y e x p l o r a c i ó n p e t r o l e r a . L o s t e m a s d e u s o d e t i e r r a , a g r i c u l t u r a y c o n t a m i n a c i ó n n o s e
c u b r e n e n e s t e r e p o r t e , p e r o e s t á n c o n s i d e r a d o s p a r a l a p u b l i c a c i ó n d e l 2 0 1 2 . U n a r e f e r e n c i a ú t i l e n l a s a m e n a z a s t e r r e s t r e s
s e p u e d e e n c o n t r a r e n : A n á l i s i s d e A g u a P o t a b l e p a r a e l A r r e c i f e M e s o a m e r i c a n o w w w . w r i . o r g / p u b l i c a t i o n / w a t e r s h e d -
a n a l y s i s - m e s o a m e r i c a n - r e e f . L a p e r m a n e n c i a a l a r g o p l a z o d e l S A M d e p e n d e r á e n n u e s t r a h a b i l i d a d p a r a m i n i m i z a r y
m i t i g a r l o s i m p a c t o s d e e s t a s a m e n a z a s .
I N C R E M E N T O E N L A S A M E N A Z A S A L A S A L U D D E L
A R R E C I F E
D i a g r a m a c o n c e p t u a l q u e i l u s t r a a l g u n a s d e l a s p r i n c i p a l e s a m e n a z a s e i m p a c t o s d e o r d e n a n t r o p o g é n i c o q u e a f e c t a n l a s a l u d d e l
A r r e c i f e M e s o a m e r i c a n o .
p H
E l p e z l e ó n s e h a c o n v e r t i d o e n u n a e s p e c i e i n v a s o r a m u y
p r o b l e m á t i c a e n e l C a r i b e .   S e r e p o r t ó p o r p r i m e r a v e z e n
e l S A M a n a l e s d e 2 0 0 8 .
A n a l e s d e O c t u b r e d e 2 0 1 0 , n o h a y a c t i v i d a d e s d e
p e r f o r a c i ó n p e t r o l í f e r a e n e l S A M , p e r o s i h a y
a l g u n a s c o n c e s i o n e s a c t i v a s .
E l d e s a r r o l l o c o s t e r o y e l d r a g a d o m a r i n o ( q u e c a u s a
c o n t a m i n a c i ó n c o n n u t r i e n t e s , s e d i m e n t o s y o t r a s
s u s t a n c i a s , a s í c o m o l a p é r d i d a d e l h á b i t a t d e c r i a n z a
[ m a n g l a r e s , p a s t o s m a r i n o s ] ) ;
L a t a l a d e á r b o l e s y l a a g r i c u l t u r a e n t i e r r a r m e ( q u e
i n c r e m e n t a l a c o n t a m i n a c i ó n d e l m a r c o n a g r o q u í m i c o s ,
s e d i m e n t o s y n u t r i e n t e s y d i s m i n u y e l o s a m o r t i g u a d o r e s
r i b e r e ñ o s n a t u r a l e s ) ;
L a p e s c a e x c e s i v a ( q u e r e d u c e l a s p o b l a c i o n e s
d e p e c e s y t r a s t o r n a l a c a d e n a a l i m e n t i c i a ) .
H u r a c a n e s y t o r m e n t a s ( q u e c a u s a n r o t u r a y
e l i m i n a c i ó n d e c o r a l e s ) ,
I n c r e m e n t o e n l a s t e m p e r a t u r a s ( q u e
i n c r e m e n t a n e l b l a n q u e a m i e n t o , l a s
e n f e r m e d a d e s y l a m o r t a l i d a d d e l o s c o r a l e s ) .
9
C A M B I O S E N L A L Í N E A B A S E Y E L H I S T O R I A L D E
L A S A L U D D E L A R R E C I F E
E l t é r m i n o “ s h i f i n g b a s e l i n e s ” ( “ c a m b i o s e n l a l í n e a b a s e ” ) l o
a c u ñ ó e l b i ó l o g o m a r i n o D a n i e l P a u l y e n : o o , y s e a p l i c a a t e m a s
s o c i o e c o n ó m i c o s y a m b i e n t a l e s . E s u n p u n t o d e r e f e r e n c i a
i m p o r t a n t e p a r a m e d i r l a s a l u d d e l o s e c o s i s t e m a s y e v a l u a r l o s
c a m b i o s . E n c o n d i c i o n e s i d e a l e s , l a l í n e a b a s e s e r í a l o q u e e x i s t í a
a n t e s d e q u e l o s s e r e s h u m a n o s c a u s a r a n a l g ú n i m p a c t o . L a
d i f c u l t a d d e u t i l i z a r l a e n e l m e d i o m a r i n o e s q u e é s t e y a e s t a b a
a l t e r a d o a n t e s q u e l o s c i e n t í f c o s l o d o c u m e n t a r a n . P o r e l l o ,
l o s c i e n t í f c o s y a d m i n i s t r a d o r e s h o y a c e p t a n l a s c o n d i c i o n e s
y a d e g r a d a d a s c o m o n o r m a l e s , o c o m o m e j o r a s l u e g o d e u n a
p e r t u r b a c i ó n .
:
E l a n á l i s i s c i e n t í f c o d e l S A M s e i n i c i ó h a s t a p r i n c i p i o s d e l o s
a ñ o s o o . L a c o n d i c i ó n d e l o s a r r e c i f e s q u e s e d e s c r i b í a e r a
c o m p l e t a m e n t e d i s t i n t a a l a q u e s e o b s e r v a h o y . A p e s a r d e e s t a
p e r s p e c t i v a “ l i g e r a m e n t e h i s t ó r i c a ” , s a b e m o s q u e l o s a r r e c i f e s
d e l C a r i b e n o e r a n p r e c i s a m e n t e p r í s t i n o s e n l o s o o ’ s – s e g ú n l o s
r e g i s t r o s d e l o s e x p l o r a d o r e s d e l a é p o c a c o l o n i a l y l o s n a t u r a l i s t a s .
E n l a s g r á f c a s q u e s e m u e s t r a n , e s t a b l e c e m o s t r e s c o n j u n t o s d e
“ l í n e a b a s e ” , m e d i a n t e l a s c u a l e s l o s c i e n t í f c o s y a d m i n i s t r a d o r e s
p u e d e n e v a l u a r l o s c a m b i o s e n l a c a n t i d a d d e c o r a l v i v o a l o l a r g o
d e l t i e m p o . B a s á n d o s e e n l o s d a t o s c o r r e s p o n d i e n t e s a l o s ú l t i m o s
c i n c o a ñ o s , l o s a r r e c i f e s e s t a b a n e n u n a c o n d i c i ó n “ b a s t a n t e
e s t a b l e ” o c o n u n “ l i g e r o d e s c e n s o ” d e s p u é s d e q u e e l h u r a c á n
W i l m a a z o t a r a C a n c ú n e n : o o , . C u a n d o s e a n a l i z a n s e r i e s d e
d a t o s c o r r e s p o n d i e n t e s a u n p e r í o d o m á s p r o l o n g a d o ( u n a d é c a d a
o m á s ) , t a l c o m o l o s s e i s s i t i o s d e B e l i c e , s e p u e d e c a p t a r m e j o r l a
p e r s p e c t i v a r e a l d e l o s c a m b i o s r e c i e n t e s , y a q u e u n a s e r i e t e m p o r a l
s u b r a y a e l e f e c t o p e r m a n e n t e q u e c a u s a n l a s p e r t u r b a c i o n e s c o m o
e l b l a n q u e a m i e n t o m a s i v o d e c o r a l y e l h u r a c á n M i t c h e n : o o 8 . L o s
p o c o s d a t o s r e c a b a d o s a n t e s d e q u e o c u r r i e r a n l o s b r o t e s m a s i v o s
d e m o r t a l i d a d / e n f e r m e d a d q u e d i s m i n u y e r o n l o s c o r a l e s c u e r n o
d e a l c e y v e n a d o y l o s e r i z o s D i a d e m a , i l u s t r a n e l d e t e r i o r o q u e h a
s u f r i d o e l a r r e c i f e . P u e d e q u e h a y a n o c u r r i d o d i s m i n u c i o n e s e n l a s
p o b l a c i o n e s d e p e c e s y g r a n d e s v e r t e b r a d o s ( c o m o l o s m a n a t í e s y
t o r t u g a s m a r i n a s ) c o n b a s t a n t e a n t e r i o r i d a d .
A l a n a l i z a r l a s c a p a s d e e s q u e l e t o s c o r a l i n o s s e d e t e c t a q u e e n
l o s t r e s m i l e n i o s a n t e r i o r e s l o s a r r e c i f e s c o r a l i n o s d e l S A M s e
h a b í a n c o n s e r v a d o e n c o n d i c i o n e s
r e l a t i v a m e n t e b u e n a s y e s t a b l e s .
M e d i a n t e l a s i n v e s t i g a c i o n e s , t a n t o e n
l o s a r r e c i f e s l a g u n a r e s c o m o e n l o s d e
b a r r e r a e n B e l i c e , s e h a d e m o s t r a d o q u e
o c u r r i ó u n a m o r t a n d a d s i n p r e c e d e n t e s
d e l o s c o r a l e s c u e r n o d e a l c e y v e n a d o y
q u e a é s t o s l o s r e e m p l a z a r o n l o s c o r a l e s
h o j a d e l e c h u g a . L u e g o , s e d i o l a p é r d i d a
c a s i t o t a l d e t o d o s l o s d e m á s c o r a l e s
d u r a n t e e l b l a n q u e a m i e n t o o c u r r i d o
e n : o o 8 . L a e v i d e n c i a a r q u e o l ó g i c a
t a m b i é n a p u n t a a u n l a r g o h i s t o r i a l d e
e x p l o t a c i ó n d e l o s r e c u r s o s m a r i n o s y
d e g r a d a c i ó n e n e l S A M .
8
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2 0 0 5 2 0 0 6 2 0 0 7 2 0 0 8 2 0 0 9 2 0 1 0
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B a c a l a r C h i c o M é x i c o R o c k s
% C o r a l V i v o % M a c r o a l g a s
H o l C h a n
T a c k l e B o x
S o u t h w e s t C a y e
0
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7 0
M i d d l e C a y e
L A S T E N D E N C I A S E N L A C O B E R T U R A D E
C O R A L Y A L G A S .
F u e n t e s d e d a t o s 2 , 3 , 4 .
C O B E R T U R A D E C O R A L
E N L A I S L A M U J E R E S - C A N C Ú N - N I Z U C
F u e n t e s d e d a t o s : T i m M c C l a n a h a n , W C S ( G l o v e r s R e e f ) , K a r e n K o l t e s , I n s t i t u t o S m i t h s o n i a n
( C a r r i e B o w C a y e ) , R i c h A r o n s o n , F I T ( C h a n n e l C a y e s ) .
1
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C a t   C a y e ,   l a g o o n a l   r e e f
C h a n n e l   C a y e ,   l a g o o n a l   r e e f  
G e n e r a l   U s e ,   G l o v e r ’ s   R e e f   A t o l l
F u l l y   P r o t e c t e d ,   G l o v e r ’ s   R e e f   A t o l l
C a r r i e   B o w   C a y e ,   B a r r i e r   R e e f  
L A S   T E N D E N C I A S   A   L A R G O   P L A Z O   E N   C O B E R T U R A   D E   C O R A L  
7
L o s a r r e c i f e s d e c o r a l n a t u r a l m e n t e p r e s e n t a n c a m b i o s – p e c e s n a d a n f u e r a y d e n t r o d e
l a s á r e a s d e m u e s t r e o , l a s m a c r o a l g a s t i e n e n c a m b i o s e s t a c i o n a l e s y l o s c o r a l e s t i e n e n u n a
r á p i d a m o r t a n d a d , p e r o c r e c i m i e n t o y r e c u p e r a c i ó n l e n t o s . U n c a m b i o e n l a c a t e g o r í a
d e “ c o n d i c i ó n g e n e r a l ” e n c u a l q u i e r a r r e c i f e e s u n c a m b i o r e p r e s e n t a t i v o . E n t r e : o o o y
: o o o , e s t o s c a m b i o s f u e r o n , v e c e s m á s d e c r e m e n t o s q u e m e j o r a s . S i e s t o c o n t i n ú a , p r o n t o
p e r d e r e m o s e l p o t e n c i a l p a r a f o m e n t a r l a r e c u p e r a c i ó n d e s i t i o s “ m a l o s ” y “ r e g u l a r e s ” h a c i a
“ b u e n o s ” y “ m u y b u e n o s ” . L a e x p e r i e n c i a e n e l G r a n C a r i b e h a d e m o s t r a d o q u e u n a v e z q u e
l o s a r r e c i f e s d e c a e n a u n e s t a d o c r í t i c o , n o r m a l m e n t e s e m a n t i e n e n e n e s t a c o n d i c i ó n p o r
a l g ú n t i e m p o . E l i n c r e m e n t a r l a b i o m a s a d e p e c e s ( e s t a b l e c i e n d o z o n a s d e r e a b a s t e c i m i e n t o t o t a l m e n t e p r o t e g i d a s ) e s l a m a n e r a
m á s r á p i d a d e m e j o r a r l a s a l u d y c o n t r a r r e s t a r e s t o s d e c r e m e n t o s .
L a g r á f c a d e b a j o m u e s t r a l o s c a m b i o s e n l o s c u a t r o
i n d i c a d o r e s c l a v e . L o s c a m b i o s m á s d r a m á t i c o s s o n l o s
d e c r e m e n t o s m a s i v o s e n l o s p e c e s h e r b í v o r o s ( p e c e s l o r o
y c i r u j a n o ) y c o m e r c i a l e s ( p a r g o s y m e r o s ) , d e 8 o y o , º
r e s p e c t i v a m e n t e . E s t e r e s u l t a d o s e p u e d e d e b e r e n p a r t e a
p r o b l e m a s e n e l m u e s t r e o d e l : o o o , p e r o l a b a j a b i o m a s a d e
p e c e s d e l : o o o e s a l a r m a n t e . L o s d a t o s d e p e c e s s o n v a r i a b l e s
y a q u e u n o o d o s m e r o s g r a n d e s o p e c e s l o r o n a d a n d o a t r a v é s
d e l t r a n s e c t o e n u n d í a e n p a r t i c u l a r p u e d e n c a u s a r u n a g r a n
d i f e r e n c i a e n e l r e s u l t a d o . S i n e m b a r g o , l a c o n s i s t e n c i a e n
l o s d e c r e m e n t o s d e p e c e s r e q u i e r e a c c i o n e s i n m e d i a t a s . E l
i n d i c a d o r m á s c o n s i s t e n t e e n l o s t r e s p a í s e s e s l a c o b e r t u r a
d e m a c r o a l g a s c a r n o s a s , q u e f u e c o n s i s t e n t e m e n t e “ r e g u l a r ”
e n e l : o o o y “ m a l a ” e n : o o o , c o n p o c a v a r i a c i ó n e n l a
e s c a l a n a c i o n a l . F i n a l m e n t e , h a y a l g u n a s b u e n a s n o t i c i a s
i m p o r t a n t e s e n l a l i g e r a m e j o r a e n l a c o b e r t u r a d e c o r a l e n
l o s , p a í s e s , m o s t r a n d o M é x i c o u n i n c r e m e n t o d e “ m a l o ”
a “ r e g u l a r ” y H o n d u r a s p e r m a n e c i e n d o e n u n a c o n d i c i ó n
“ b u e n a ” . E s t o s i n c r e m e n t o s p u e d e n e s t a r r e l a c i o n a d o s
a r e c u p e r a c i o n e s n a t u r a l e s d e s p u é s d e l o s h u r a c a n e s e n
M é x i c o y l a a u s e n c i a d e m o r t a n d a d s i g n i f c a t i v a e n e l c o r a l
d e s p u é s d e l o s e v e n t o s d e b l a n q u e a m i e n t o m á s r e c i e n t e s .
E s t o s i n c r e m e n t o s e n l a c o b e r t u r a d e c o r a l p r o v e e n
e s p e r a n z a q u e c o n u n b u e n m a n e j o d e l a r r e c i f e , é s t e t i e n e
u n a b u e n a o p o r t u n i d a d d e r e c u p e r a r s e .
E l t i e m p o e s u n f a c t o r c r í t i c o e n f a c i l i t a r e s t a r e c u p e r a c i ó n .
S e r e q u i e r e n m e d i d a s e n é r g i c a s d e c o n s e r v a c i ó n y r e d u c i r
l a s a m e n a z a s c o n o c i d a s , c o n e l f n q u e l o s a r r e c i f e s t e n g a n
o p o r t u n i d a d d e s o b r e v i v i r . A l g u n o s d e e s t o s p a s o s s e h a n
t o m a d o e n l a r e g i ó n ( v e a p á g . : o ) p e r o e x i s t e u n a n e c e s i d a d
u r g e n t e p a r a e s t a n d a r i z a r e n u n a e s c a l a r e g i o n a l , y a s í
a s e g u r a r e l f u t u r o d e l S A M ( v e a p á g s . : : - : : ) .
C A M B I O S E N L A S A L U D D E L A R R E C I F E
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I N D I C A D O R E S D E L A S A L U D D E L A R R E C I F E P O R P A Í S
L a c o b e r t u r a d e c o r a l e s y a l g a s c a r n o s a s e s t á n e x p r e s a d a s e n c o b e r t u r a b é n t i c a ; p e c e s e n b i o m a s a ( g / 1 0 0 m
2
) .
L O S D E C R E M E N T O S D E L A R R E C I F E S O B R E P A S A N L A S M E J O R A S C I N C O A U N O
D O S I N D I C A D O R E S , U N A H I S T O R I A
O B S E R V A N D O E N D E T A L L E L O S
D E C R E M E N T O S
L o s c i n c u e n t a s i t i o s b a s e m u e s t r e a d o s u t i l i z a n d o l o s s i e t e
i n d i c a d o r e s d e l a s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e e n e l í n d i c e I R H I
d e s a r r o l l a d o e n l a H o j a d e C a l i f c a c i o n e s d e : o o 8 . A s í c o m o
d i f e r e n t e s í n d i c e s e c o n ó m i c o s ( e j : D o w J o n e s v s . N A S D A C )
p u e d e n t e n e r d i f e r e n t e s v a l o r e s , l a t e n d e n c i a y f u n c i ó n
g e n e r a l s o n n o r m a l m e n t e c o n s i s t e n t e s . E n e s t a m a n e r a ,
a m b o s Í n d i c e s m o s t r a r o n u n d e c r e m e n t o d e m á s d e l : o º
d e l : o o o a l : o o o ( : . 8 a : . : p a r a I I S A y : . , a : . : p a r a I I S A S , d e
u n v a l o r m á x i m o d e , ) . E l I I S A S e s m á s n e g a t i v o – d e b i d o
a l m a y o r p e s o q u e l a s c a t e g o r í a s d e p e c e s t i e n e n e n e l I I S A S
( r e p r e s e n t a n d o m á s d e l ~ , o º d e l t o t a l d e l I I S A S c o n t r a : o º
d e l t o t a l d e l I I S A ) . L a b i o m a s a d e p e c e s s e e n c u e n t r a m u y
b a j a ( v e a l a s e c c i ó n a b a j o ) . E l I I S A S p r o d u c e u n a m a y o r
“ p r o p a g a c i ó n ” e n l o s d a t o s – s i e n d o q u e l o s s i t i o s s o n m á s
d i s t r i b u i d o s e n t r e l a s c a t e g o r í a s . L a c o n c l u s i ó n g e n e r a l e s q u e
a m b o s i n d i c a d o r e s s o n v á l i d o s y v a l i o s o s p a r a d o c u m e n t a r
l a s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e y a m b o s s e ñ a l a n d e c r e m e n t o s e n l a s a l u d
d e l S A M . M i e n t r a s q u e u n Í n d i c e d e l a S a l u d d e l A r r e c i f e
e s u n a h e r r a m i e n t a ú t i l p a r a r e s u m i r l a c o m p l e j i d a d d e l o s
i n d i c a d o r e s d e l a r r e c i f e , t a m b i é n e s i n f o r m a t i v o e n c u a n t o
a l o s i n d i c a d o r e s i n d i v i d u a l e s p a r a c o m p r e n d e r l a s f u e n t e s
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L o s   r e s u l t a d o s   p a r a   e l   r e p o r t e   d e   s a l u d   s e   c a l c u l a n   t o m a n d o   l o s   v a l o r e s   p r o m e d i o   d e   l o s   d a t o s   d e   c a d a   i n d i c a d o r   y   c o n v i r t i é n d o l o s   a  
u n a ' c o n d i c i o n ¨ q u e s e p u e d e c l a s i f c a r d e u n o ( ' c r i t i c a ¨ ) a c i n c o ( ' m u y b u e n a ¨ ) . b a s a n d o s e e n l o s r a n g o s d e d a t o s i n c l u i d o s e n l a
t a b l a q u e a p a r e c e a c o n t i n u a c i o n . L a I o r m u l a c i o n d e l o s r a n g o s d e d a t o s s e a p o y o e n g r a n m e d i d a e n l a e x p e r i e n c i a . l o s d a t o s y
l a s p e r s p e c t i v a s d e l c o m i t e d e r e v i s i o n c i e n t i f c a c o n s t i t u i d o p a r a t a l e I e c t o . T a m b i e n s e b a s o e n l a b a s e d e d a t o s d e l a E v a l u a c i o n
R a p i d a d e A r r e c i I e s d e l A t l a n t i c o y e l G o l I o ( A G R R A e n I n g l e s ) . q u e c o n t i e n e d a t o s d e m a s d e 8 0 0 s i t i o s e n e l C a r i b e . L o s v a l o r e s
d e u m b r a l p a r a m a c r o a l g a s c a r n o s a s s e a d o p t a r o n d e a q u e l l o s d e s a r r o l l a d o s o r i g i n a l m e n t e p o r R e e I C h e c k y u t i l i z a d o s p o r A r r e c i I e s
e n P e l i g r o p a r a s u p u b l i c a c i o n e n 2 0 1 1 . R e p r e s e n t a u n a i u s t e e n t r e e l r e s u l t a d o d e l a s c o n d i c i o n e s i d e a l e s d e u n a r r e c i I e ' p r i s t i n o ¨ y
l o q u e . r e a l i s t i c a m e n t e . p o d r i a m o s a s p i r a r a l o g r a r e n l o s t i e m p o s y l a s c o n d i c i o n e s p r e s e n t e s .
V a l o r e s d e u m b r a l p o r i n d i c a d o r d e l Í n d i c e I n t e g r a d o d e l a S a l u d d e l A r r e c i f e S i m p l i fi c a d o ( I I S A S )
I I S A S I N D I C A D O R E S M U Y B I E N    B I E N    R E G U L A R    M A L    C R ĺ T I C O   
C o b e r t u r a d e C o r a l (  ) ! " # $ # % # & ' ( % ( ) # % # & ) ( % ( * % # & ( % ( < 5
C o b e r t u r a d e M a c r o a l g a s C a r n o s a s ( % ) # & # % ( ) % # & * % # * % ) & ) $ % # ) $ % ) & $ * + $ * % #
P e c e s h e r b í v o r o s c l a v e ( g · 1 0 0 m  ² )
n o t a : s ó l o p e c e s l o r o y c i r u j a n o s
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n o t a : s o l o p a r g o s y m e r o s
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I N D I C A D O R E S D E L A S A L U D D E L A R R E C I F E
r $ P C F S U V S B E F $ P S B M e s u n a m e d i d a d e l a p r o p o r c i ó n d e l a s u p e r c i e d e l a r r e c i f e c u b i e r t a p o r
c o r a l e s p é t r e o s v i v o s , q u e s o n l o s q u e f o r m a n e l m a r c o t r i d i m e n s i o n a l d e l a r r e c i f e . É s t e e s e l i n d i c a d o r
q u e m á s s e m i d e .
r $ P C F S U V S B E F N B D S P B M H B T D B S O P T B T e s u n a m e d i d a d e l p o r c e n t a j e d e s u p e r c i e d e l a r r e c i f e q u e
e s t á c u b i e r t o p o r a l g a s c a r n o s a s o p o r l o q u e s e c o n o c e s e n c i l l a m e n t e c o m o “ a l g a s ” . S o n d a t o s r e c a b a d o s
e n l o s m i s m o s t r a n s e c t o s u t i l i z a d o s p a r a d e t e r m i n a r l a c o b e r t u r a d e c o r a l .
r " C V O E B O D J B E F Q F D F T I F S C Î W P S P T m i d e l a b i o m a s a ( p e s o t o t a l d e p e c e s p o r u n i d a d d e á r e a ) d e p e c e s
c i r u j a n o y p e c e s l o r o , l o s p e c e s q u e s e d i s t i n g u e n p o r f o r r a j e a r m á s e n l a s p l a n t a s q u e p o d r í a n c u b r i r e l a r r e c i f e .
r " C V O E B O D J B E F Q F D F T D P N F S D J B M F T m i d e l a b i o m a s a ( p e s o t o t a l d e p e c e s p o r u n i d a d d e á r e a ) d e
p e c e s c o m e r c i a l e s s i g n i c a t i v o s d e n i d o s e n e l m é t o d o d e A G R R A ( v e r s i g u i e n t e p á g i n a ) .
Í N D I C E I N T E G R A D O D E L A S A L U D D E L A R R E C I F E S I M P L I F I C A D O
C Ó M O S E C A L C U L A N L O S R E S U L T A D O S P A R A E L R E P O R T E D E S A L U D
M e d i r l a s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e e s m á s c o m p l i c a d o q u e v i s i t a r a l m é d i c o f a m i l i a r p a r a h a c e r s e u n e x a m e n a n u a l , y a q u e l o s c i e n t í c o s a p e n a s
e s t á n e m p e z a n d o a f o r m u l a r i n d i c a d o r e s c u a n t i t a t i v o s p a r a e v a l u a r l a s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e . L o s i n d i c a d o r e s s o n m e d i c i o n e s p r á c t i c a s y
c u a n t i t a t i v a s d e l a s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e o d e l o s s e r e s h u m a n o s . S u n e s c o n v e r t i r e l c o n c e p t o a b s t r a c t o d e b i e n e s t a r e n u n c o n j u n t o d e
c a n t i d a d e s t a n g i b l e s , d e n i d a s r i g u r o s a m e n t e , m e d i a n t e l a s c u a l e s s e p u e d e n e v a l u a r l o s a v a n c e s l o g r a d o s . L o s c i e n t í c o s a n a l i z a n l a s
t e n d e n c i a s o c o m p a r a c i o n e s e s p a c i a l e s d e c a d a i n d i c a d o r , c o n e l n d e c o n o c e r a f o n d o l a s v a r i a b l e s m á s i m p o r t a n t e s e n u n s i t i o o e n t o d a
l a r e g i ó n ( l o s r e s u l t a d o s m u c h a s v e c e s d e p e n d e n d e l a e s c a l a d e l o q u e s e d e s e a a n a l i z a r ) .
L a i n i c i a t i v a A r r e c i f e s S a l u d a b l e s p a r a G e n t e S a l u d a b l e e s u n o d e l o s p r i m e r o s i n t e n t o s p o r d e s a r r o l l a r c r i t e r i o s m e d i b l e s p a r a l a s a l u d d e l
a r r e c i f e y c l a s i c a r l o s p o r r a n g o ( p a r a m á s i n f o r m a c i ó n , v e a l a L i b r e t a d e C a l i c a c i o n e s e n : w w w . h e a l t h y r e e f s . o r g ) . L a f o r m u l a c i ó n
d e u n s o l o v a l o r p a r a l o s í n d i c e s f a c i l i t a e l m a p e o d e l a s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e p a r a l o g r a r u n a v i s i ó n m á s g e n e r a l d e t o d a l a r e g i ó n . N u e s t r a
“ l í n e a b a s e ” d e l a s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e , p a r e c i d o a l Í n d i c e D o w J o n e s d e l a B o l s a d e V a l o r e s – n o e s u n a m e d i d a e x a c t a d e l a s a c c i o n e s , s i n o
m á s b i e n u n i n d i c a d o r m u y ú t i l d e l a t e n d e n c i a g e n e r a l d e l o s m e r c a d o s . E l “ Í n d i c e I n t e g r a d o d e l a S a l u d d e l A r r e c i f e ” ( I I S A ) ( I R H I
e n I n g l é s ) q u e s e u t i l i z ó e n l a p u b l i c a c i ó n a n t e r i o r s e s i m p l i c ó a u n m á s . S e f o r m u l ó e l “ Í n d i c e I n t e g r a d o d e l a S a l u d d e l A r r e c i f e
S i m p l i c a d o ” ( I I S A S ) ( S I R H I e n I n g l é s ) c o n e l n d e u t i l i z a r e l c o n j u n t o d e d a t o s p r o p o r c i o n a d o q u e n o i n c l u í a n l o s s i e t e i n d i c a d o r e s
o r i g i n a l e s d e l I I S A . E s p e c í c a m e n t e , l o s í n d i c e s d e r e c l u t a m i e n t o d e c o r a l e s , a l t u r a d e l a s a l g a s ( n e c e s a r i o p a r a e l Í n d i c e d e M a c r o a l g a s ) ,
a b u n d a n c i a d e e r i z o D i a d e m a y e n f e r m e d a d e s d e l c o r a l n o s e r e c o l e c t a b a n s i s t e m á t i c a m e n t e e n t o d o s l o s s i t i o s . L o s d o s i n d i c a d o r e s
s o b r e p e c e s s e r e e m p l a z a r o n c o n v e r s i o n e s s i m p l i c a d a s : e s p e c i e s c o m e r c i a l e s c l a v e s ( b i o m a s a d e p a r g o s + m e r o s ) y h e r b í v o r o s c l a v e s
( b i o m a s a d e p e c e s l o r o + p e c e s c i r u j a n o ) .
Í N D I C E I N T E G R A D O D E L A S A L U D D E L A R R E C I F E S I M P L I F I C A D O
4
U N S I N F Í N D E C A M B I O S D E S D E 2 0 0 8
E n l o s ú l t i m o s d o s a ñ o s h a n o c u r r i d o c a m b i o s i n m e n s o s .
C u a n d o s e p u b l i c ó l a p r i m e r a L i b r e t a d e C a l i f c a c i o n e s
: o o 8 , e l m u n d o e m p e z a b a a d a r s e c u e n t a d e l a m a g n i t u d y
l a s i m p l i c a c i o n e s d e l a c r i s i s e c o n ó m i c a m u n d i a l y t o d a v í a
n o s e h a b í a d o c u m e n t a d o h a s t a q u é p u n t o e l p e z l e ó n e s t a b a
i n v a d i e n d o e l S A M . E n m a y o d e l : o o o , l o s m a n e j a d o r e s d e
a r r e c i f e s e n e l s u r d e B e l i c e y e n H o n d u r a s s e d i e r o n c u e n t a
d e l a s c o n s i d e r a b l e s p é r d i d a s q u e s e h a b í a n d a d o e n e l a r r e c i f e
d e b i d o a u n f u e r t e t e r r e m o t o . E n a b r i l d e l : o : o , e l m u n d o
t o m ó c o n c i e n c i a d e l o s e f e c t o s i n m e d i a t o s y d e v a s t a d o r e s q u e
e l d e r r a m e d e p e t r ó l e o e n e l G o l f o d e M é x i c o o c a s i o n ó e n l o s
e c o s i s t e m a s m a r i n o s , a m p l i a n d o n u e s t r a “ l i s t a d e a m e n a z a s ” .
M i e n t r a s q u e l o s g o b i e r n o s , l a s o c i e d a d c i v i l y e l p ú b l i c o
e n g e n e r a l l u c h a n p o r e n f r e n t a r s e a l o s p r o b l e m a s d e l a
c r i s i s e c o n ó m i c a y e l a u m e n t o d e l c r i m e n y l a v i o l e n c i a , l o s
e n c a r g a d o s d e A P M ’ s l u c h a n p o r m a n t e n e r e n p r i m e r a p l a n a
l o s p r o b l e m a s q u e a c o s a n a n u e s t r o s a r r e c i f e s , q u e p o c o a
p o c o s e e s t á n e x t i n g u i e n d o . L o s c o r a l e s a p e n a s s o b r e v i v e n
e n f r e n t á n d o s e a l a s e n f e r m e d a d e s y e l b l a n q u e a m i e n t o y
n o s o t r o s a l a p o s i b i l i d a d d e q u e s e e x t i n g a n m u c h a s e s p e c i e s
d e b i d o a l a m o r t a l i d a d m a s i v a d e l o s c o r a l e s . L a c o n t a m i n a c i ó n ,
l a p é r d i d a d e h á b i t a t s , l o s i n c r e m e n t o s e n l a t e m p e r a t u r a d e l o s
m a r e s y l a a c i d i f c a c i ó n d e l o s o c é a n o s , c o n t i n ú a n s i n t r e g u a ,
a l a s o m b r a d e l f r a c a s o d e l a C O P - : , , q u e n o l o g r ó c o n c r e t a r
a c c i ó n p o l í t i c a a l g u n a p a r a a b o r d a r l a c r i s i s q u e s e e s t á d a n d o a
c o n s e c u e n c i a d e l C C m u n d i a l .
E s t a d o : S a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e
L a P u b l i c a c i ó n : o o 8 n o s b r i n d ó u n a p a n o r á m i c a d e l a s a l u d
d e l e c o s i s t e m a a r r e c i f a l y d e l i m p a c t o q u e h a n t e n i d o n u e s t r a s
a c c i o n e s d e m a n e j o y g e s t i ó n . R e v e l ó q u e n u e s t r o a r r e c i f e , q u e
u n a v e z f u e p r í s t i n o y d i v e r s o , a h o r a s e e n c u e n t r a e n p e l i g r o ,
m á s d e l a m i t a d d e l o s , : o s i t i o s d o n d e s e t o m a r o n m u e s t r a s
e s t á n e n “ m a l a s ” c o n d i c i o n e s ( a , º ) o e n c o n d i c i o n e s “ c r í t i c a s ”
( o º ) . E l a : º q u e s e c a l i f c ó c o m o “ r e g u l a r ” n o s d i o e s p e r a n z a s
d e q u e s e p u d i e r a r e c u p e r a r y d e s t a c ó l a u r g e n c i a d e a u m e n t a r
e l o º d e a r r e c i f e s e n “ b u e n a s ” c o n d i c i o n e s . L a e v a l u a c i ó n
e f e c t u a d a e n e l : o o 8 s e b a s ó e n , i n d i c a d o r e s , l o s c u a l e s s e
c o m b i n a r o n p a r a f o r m a r u n s o l o Í n d i c e .
E n e s t a P u b l i c a c i ó n d e l : o : o n o s e d e s c r i b e u n p a t r ó n d e
r e c u p e r a c i ó n , s i n o u n o d e m á s d e g r a d a c i ó n e n l a s a l u d d e l S A M
– v e a l a s p á g i n a s , a 8 . L a c o n d i c i ó n g e n e r a l d e l o s : , o a r r e c i f e s
q u e s e e s t u d i a r o n m u e s t r a q u e h a y u n , o º e n c o n d i c i o n e s
“ c r í t i c a s ” – u n p o r c e n t a j e a l a r m a n t e – ; l a c o n d i c i ó n d e u n a o º
s e c a l i f c ó c o m o “ m a l a ” ; u n : : º c o m o “ r e g u l a r ” ; u n 8 º c o m o
“ b u e n a ” y e l : º c o m o “ m u y b u e n a ” ( u n s i t i o ) . L o s d o s í n d i c e s
a r r o j a n r e s u l t a d o s m u y s i m i l a r e s . S e o b s e r v a r o n c i n c o v e c e s
m á s d e c r e m e n t o s q u e m e j o r a s e n l a s a l u d d e l o s a r r e c i f e s , s e g ú n
l o m e d i d o e n l o s c i n c u e n t a s i t i o s b a s e m u e s t r e a d o s e n : o o o y
: o o o . N o o b s t a n t e e l í n d i c e q u e s e u s e , l o s r e s u l t a d o s m u e s t r a n
q u e h a y m á s d e t e r i o r o d e l o s a r r e c i f e s y q u e s e r e q u i e r e n
m e d i d a s m á s e s t r i c t a s p a r a s u m a n e j o . E s e v i d e n t e q u e l o s s i t i o s
c u y a c o n d i c i ó n e r a “ r e g u l a r ” h a n e m p e o r a d o , l o c u a l s e ñ a l a q u e
e l e c o s i s t e m a a r r e c i f a l e s t á l l e g a n d o r á p i d a m e n t e a u n p u n t o e n
q u e e l d a ñ o s e r á i r r e v e r s i b l e .
U N I N V E N T A R I O D E L A S I T U A C I Ó N A C T U A L :
A m e n a z a s a l a r r e c i f e
L a l i s t a d e l a s a m e n a z a s a l a s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e h a a u m e n t a d o ,
t a n t o e n a l c a n c e c o m o e n i n t e n s i d a d . L a s c u a t r o a m e n a z a s
p r i n c i p a l e s ( s o b r e p e s c a , d e s a r r o l l o c o s t e r o , d e f o r e s t a c i ó n
y e l c a m b i o c l i m á t i c o ) q u e s e i d e n t i f c a r o n e n : o o 8 s i g u e n
v i g e n t e s c o n m a y o r i n t e n s i d a d . M e n o s d e l : º d e l o s p e c e s
q u e s e e s t u d i a r o n m e d í a n m á s d e : o c m y l o s t i b u r o n e s y a
h a n d e s a p a r e c i d o e n s u m a y o r í a . E l p e z l e ó n a h o r a e s t á
p r á c t i c a m e n t e e n t o d o e l S A M . E l í n d i c e d e d e s a r r o l l o c o s t e r o
c o r r e s p o n d i e n t e a l : o : o e s t a b l e c i ó q u e e l n ú m e r o d e á r e a s
m o d i f c a d a s s e h a b í a a u m e n t a d o d e u n : : º a u n , a º . E l C C
y a e s t á a f e c t a n d o a l a r r e c i f e y h a y p o c a s p o s i b i l i d a d e s d e l o g r a r
u n t r a t a d o a n i v e l m u n d i a l . E x i s t e t a m b i é n u n r i e s g o c r e c i e n t e
a c o n s e c u e n c i a d e l a e x t r a c c i ó n d e p e t r ó l e o c e r c a d e l a s c o s t a s .
A c c i o n e s p a r a s a l v a r e l a r r e c i f e
A p e s a r d e l a s a m e n a z a s , n u m e r o s a s a c c i o n e s p a r a m a n e j a r e l
a r r e c i f e y a h a n l o g r a d o r e s u l t a d o s p a r a f r e n a r s u d e t e r i o r o . S e
e s t á n m a n e j a n d o m á s d e , o á r e a s m a r i n a s y m á s d e , o á r e a s
c o s t e r a s p r o t e g i d a s d e n t r o d e l a r e g i ó n . S i b i e n c o n e l l a s n o s e
p u e d e p r o t e g e r a l a r r e c i f e d e t o d a s l a s a m e n a z a s , l a s A P M ’ s s í
c o n t r i b u y e n a l m a n e j o d e m u c h a s y a u m e n t a n l a c a p a c i d a d d e
r e c u p e r a c i ó n . C o m o u n o d e l o s e c o s i s t e m a s m á s a m e n a z a d o s
y m á s d i v e r s o s d e l p l a n e t a , l o s a r r e c i f e s a h o r a s e m a n e j a n c o n
a l g u n a s d e l a s h e r r a m i e n t a s q u e s e h a n u s a d o p o r d é c a d a s c o n
e s p e c i e s t e r r e s t r e s e n p e l i g r o d e e x t i n c i ó n ( e j . : i n c o r p o r a c i ó n
e n l a “ L i s t a R o j a ” d e U I C N y l o s p r o g r a m a s d e p r o p a g a c i ó n d e
e s p e c i e s ) . L o s e s t u d i o s d e c a s o q u e d e s t a c a n e s t o s e s f u e r z o s d e
p r o p a g a c i ó n , l o s s i t i o s n a t u r a l e s q u e c o n s t i t u y e n u n a e s p e r a n z a
y l o s é x i t o s a l c a n z a d o s p o r l o s e s f u e r z o s d e c o n s e r v a c i ó n
p r o p i c i a d o s p o r l a s c o m u n i d a d e s s o n u n a l u z d e e s p e r a n z a e n
u n m a r d e i n c e r t i d u m b r e .
N u e s t r o s l í d e r e s e n t o d o e l m u n d o y e n l a r e g i ó n d e l S A M
d e b e n e n f r e n t a r s e a l a t r i s t e r e a l i d a d d e q u e s i s i g u e n l a s c o s a s
a s í , n o s ó l o s e p e r d e r á e l m a g n í f c o e c o s i s t e m a m a r i n o , s i n o
q u e t a m b i é n s e p e r d e r á n l o s i n g r e s o s p o r t u r i s m o , s e s u f r i r á n
d a ñ o s c o s t o s o s a c a u s a d e l o s d e s a s t r e s n a t u r a l e s y s e p e r d e r á n
p o b l a c i o n e s c o m p l e t a s d e p e c e s q u e a l i m e n t a n a l o s p o b l a d o r e s
l o c a l e s y q u e l e s b r i n d a n s u s u b s i s t e n c i a . E s p r e c i s a m e n t e e s t e
v í n c u l o e n t r e a r r e c i f e s s a l u d a b l e s y g e n t e s a l u d a b l e ( e c o n o m í a s ,
c o m u n i d a d e s y p e r s o n a s ) l o q u e p u e d e a y u d a r a c a t a l i z a r l a s
p o l í t i c a s y l o s c a m b i o s q u e s e r e q u i e r e n p a r a s a l v a r n u e s t r o
m a g n í f c o a r r e c i f e .
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U N A E C O R R E G I Ó N I N T E R N A C I O N A L
E l e s p e c t a c u l a r A r r e c i f e M e s o a m e r i c a n o i n c l u y e e l a r r e c i f e
d e b a r r e r a m á s l a r g o d e l h e m i s f e r i o o c c i d e n t a l y u n c o n j u n t o
d i v e r s o d e f o r m a c i o n e s a r r e c i f a l e s c o n e c t a d a s p o r c o r r i e n t e s
o c e a n o g r á f c a s m u y c o m p l e j a s . C o n u n a e x t e n s i ó n d e : , o o o
k i l ó m e t r o s , d e s d e l a s c o s t a s d e M é x i c o h a s t a H o n d u r a s , e s t e
e n o r m e c o m p l e j o – e n e l c u a l s e i n c l u y e n l e c h o s d e p a s t o s
m a r i n o s , l a g u n a s p r o f u n d a s y s o m e r a s , y m a n g l a r e s c o s t e r o s
q u e r o d e a n a l a r r e c i f e – f o r m a u n m o s a i c o d i n á m i c o q u e
c o n s t i t u y e e l s i t i o m á s i m p o r t a n t e d e M e s o a m é r i c a , l l a m a d o
u n “ h o t s p o t ” p o r s u d i v e r s i d a d b i o l ó g i c a y c u l t u r a l .
L a t o p o g r a f í a t e r r e s t r e d e l a r e g i ó n i n c l u y e l a s p l a n i c i e s b a j a s
d e Y u c a t á n , M é x i c o , y e l c l i m a s e c o , l o s e s c a s o s r í o s y l a s
c o r r i e n t e s d e a g u a s u b t e r r á n e a p r o p i a s d e l n o r t e d e B e l i c e .
H a c i a e l s u r , e l p a i s a j e s e t r a n s f o r m a , d a n d o l u g a r a m o n t a ñ a s
a l t a s , m á s p r e c i p i t a c i ó n y n u m e r o s o s r í o s c a u d a l o s o s e n e l
s u r d e B e l i c e , G u a t e m a l a y H o n d u r a s .
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( M é x i c o , B e l i c e , G u a t e m a l a y H o n d u r a s ) f r m a r o n l a
h i s t ó r i c a D e c l a r a c i ó n d e T u l u m , q u e f o m e n t a e l c o m p r o m i s o
d e a p o y a r l a c o n s e r v a c i ó n d e e s t e r e c u r s o c o m p a r t i d o .
L a s e c o n o m í a s d e l a r e g i ó n d e p e n d e n c o n s i d e r a b l e m e n t e d e
l o s r e c u r s o s m a r i n o - c o s t e r o s , e s p e c i a l m e n t e l a s i n d u s t r i a s
d e l t u r i s m o y l a p e s c a . S ó l o e n B e l i c e , s e e s t i m a q u e e l
a r r e c i f e a p o r t a a p r o x i m a d a m e n t e e n t r e s , o , y s , , o m i l l o n e s
d e d ó l a r e s e s t a d o u n i d e n s e s a n u a l e s e n b i e n e s y s e r v i c i o s .
:

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s i t i o s , l a s a l u d d e n u e s t r a g e n t e – n u e s t r a s c o m u n i d a d e s y
n u e s t r a s e c o n o m í a s – d e p e n d e n d e q u e p o d a m o s r e s t a u r a r ,
p r e s e r v a r y m a n t e n e r s a l u d a b l e s a n u e s t r o s a r r e c i f e s .
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¿ Q U É C O N T I E N E ? A R R E C I F E S S A L U D A B L E S
P A R A G E N T E S A L U D A B L E
E n e l R e p o r t e d e l a S a l u d E c o l ó g i c a c o r r e s p o n d i e n t e a l 2 0 1 0 s e
d e s t a c a n t r e s s e c c i o n e s c e n t r a l e s – u n a e v a l u a c i ó n d e l a c o n d i c i ó n
a c t u a l d e l a r r e c i f e ; u n a a c t u a l i z a c i ó n d e l o s f a c t o r e s e x i s t e n t e s y
e m e r g e n t e s q u e a m e n a z a n l a s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e ; y u n a m u e s t r a d e
h i s t o r i a s e x i t o s a s y a c c i o n e s n e c e s a r i a s p a r a f o m e n t a r l o s a r r e c i f e s
s a l u d a b l e s p a r a g e n t e s a l u d a b l e . C o m o u n a d e l a n t o , s e p r e s e n t a
u n r e s u m e n d e l o s h a l l a z g o s m á s i m p o r t a n t e s e n l a s e c c i ó n
“ E v a l u a c i ó n d e l a S i t u a c i ó n ” .
P r i m e r o , e s t a p u b l i c a c i ó n e m p i e z a c o n u n a n u e v a
e v a l u a c i ó n d e l o s I n d i c a d o r e s d e S a l u d d e l A r r e c i f e .
R e v i s a l o s i n d i c a d o r e s q u e c o n s t i t u y e n l o s I n d i c a d o r e s
d e l a S a l u d d e l A r r e c i f e , a s í c o m o l o s c r i t e r i o s p a r a l a
c a l i f i c a c i ó n y l o s v a l o r e s d e u m b r a l c o r r e s p o n d i e n t e s
a e s t o s i n d i c a d o r e s . L o s n u e v o s d a t o s q u e s e
r e c o p i l a r o n e n 2 0 0 9 e n 5 0 s i t i o s s e c o m p a r a n c o n l o s
d a t o s r e c a b a d o s e n 2 0 0 6 p a r a m o s t r a r l o s c a m b i o s
q u e s e h a n d a d o d e s d e l a ú l t i m a p u b l i c a c i ó n . E l m a p a
e n u n f o r m a t o d e d o s h o j a s e s u n r e s u m e n v i s u a l d e
l o s d a t o s c o r r e s p o n d i e n t e s a l a s a l u d r e g i o n a l . S e
p r e s e n t a u n a p e r s p e c t i v a h i s t ó r i c a d e a l g u n o s a r r e c i f e s
s e l e c c i o n a d o s q u e c u e n t a n c o n d a t o s a l a r g o p l a z o ,
c o n e l f i n d e r e s a l t a r e l n i v e l d e d e t e r i o r o d e l a r r e c i f e
c o r a l i n o y e l c o n s i g u i e n t e g r a d o d e p r e o c u p a c i ó n
p o r e l l o . E n e s t a p u b l i c a c i ó n n o s e i n c l u y e n d a t o s
s o c i o e c o n ó m i c o s , d a d o q u e l o s r e s u l t a d o s d e l o s
c e n s o s c o r r e s p o n d i e n t e s a 2 0 1 0 n o e s t a b a n d i s p o n i b l e s
a l m o m e n t o d e p u b l i c a c i ó n .
L u e g o s e r e v i s a e l c o n j u n t o d e a m e n a z a s a l a s q u e s e
e n f r e n t a e l a r r e c i f e , i n c l u y e n d o a l g u n a s a m e n a z a s
q u e r e c i é n s e h a n p e r c i b i d o y q u e n o s e c o n o c í a n
h a c e d o s a ñ o s . L a m á s i m p o r t a n t e d e é s t a s e s l a
i n v a s i ó n a l a r m a n t e , r á p i d a y g e n e r a l i z a d a d e l p e z
l e ó n , u n a e s p e c i e e x ó t i c a y l e t a l q u e e s t á d e v a s t a n d o
l a s p o b l a c i o n e s d e p e c e s n a t i v o s . M i e n t r a s t a n t o , l a
p é r d i d a d e p e c e s d e g r a n t a m a ñ o – e s p e c i a l m e n t e
l o s p e c e s q u e t i e n e n i m p o r t a n c i a c o m e r c i a l – , l o s
p e c e s l o r o y l o s d e p r e d a d o r e s d e m á s a l t o n i v e l –
c o m o l o s t i b u r o n e s – s i g u e c a u s a n d o i m p a c t o e n e l
f u n c i o n a m i e n t o d e l a r r e c i f e , a s í c o m o e n l a c a l i d a d d e
v i d a d e l a s p e r s o n a s . O t r o s f a c t o r e s q u e c o n s t i t u y e n
a m e n a z a s i n m i n e n t e s , c o m o l a u r b a n i z a c i ó n c o s t e r a ,
e l c a m b i o c l i m á t i c o y e l p o t e n c i a l p a r a l a e x p l o r a c i ó n
y p e r f o r a c i ó n p e t r o l e r a c e r c a d e l a s c o s t a s , p o n e n e n
p e l i g r o l a f u t u r a r e c u p e r a c i ó n y s u p e r v i v e n c i a d e l
a r r e c i f e .
P o r ú l t i m o , s e e x a m i n a l a a p l i c a c i ó n e f e c t i v a d e
h e r r a m i e n t a s d e m a n e j o , c o m o s o n l a s á r e a s p r o t e g i d a s
m a r i n a s y l a p r o t e c c i ó n d e e s p e c i e s e n p e l i g r o d e
e x t i n c i ó n . S e p r e s e n t a n t a m b i é n v a r i o s c a s o s e x i t o s o s
q u e s e e s t á n i m p l e m e n t a n d o e n t o d a l a r e g i ó n , c o n
e l f i n d e b r i n d a r u n a e s p e r a n z a d e q u e s e l o g r a r á l a
s a l u d d e l a r r e c i f e . U n e l e m e n t o n u e v o d e l R e p o r t e d e
S a l u d d e e s t e a ñ o s o n l o s P r e m i o s ” C i n t a A z u l ” q u e s e
o t o r g a n a l o s p a í s e s d e l S A M c o m o r e c o n o c i m i e n t o a
l a s a c c i o n e s d e s t a c a d a s q u e h a n i m p l e m e n t a d o p a r a
e l m a n e j o d e l a r r e c i f e . E n l a p a r t e f i n a l s e i n c l u y e n
r e c o m e n d a c i o n e s p a r a m e j o r a r y p r o t e g e r l a s a l u d d e l
a r r e c i f e .
A r r e c i f e s S a l u d a b l e s p a r a G e n t e S a l u d a b l e ( H e a l t h y R e e f s f o r
H e a l t h y P e o p l e ( H R I ) ) e s u n a i n i c i a t i v a i n t e r n a c i o n a l q u e g e n e r a
h e r r a m i e n t a s d e u s o f á c i l p a r a m e d i r l a s a l u d d e l e c o s i s t e m a d e l
S i s t e m a A r r e c i f a l M e s o a m e r i c a n o ( S A M ) . I n c l u y e u n a s o c i e d a d
f o r m a l d e m á s d e 3 0 o r g a n i z a c i o n e s , a s í c o m o c o l a b o r a c i o n e s
i n f o r m a l e s c o n o r g a n i s m o s g u b e r n a m e n t a l e s , c i e n t í f i c o s
i n d i v i d u a l e s y o t r o s s o c i o s . L a m e t a d e l a I n i c i a t i v a e s m e j o r a r
e l m a n e j o d e l a r r e c i f e y l a t o m a d e d e c i s i o n e s , c o n e l f i n d e
q u e e l S A M s e m a n t e n g a c o m o u n a e c o r r e g i ó n e c o n ó m i c a
y e c o l ó g i c a m e n t e p r ó s p e r a , o f r e c i e n d o p u b l i c a c i o n e s c o n
c r e d i b i l i d a d c i e n t í f i c a y q u e c o n t i e n e n o p i n i o n e s m u y r e s p e t a d a s
s o b r e l a s a l u d d e l e c o s i s t e m a , f o m e n t a n d o a s í l a i m p l e m e n t a c i ó n
d e r e c o m e n d a c i o n e s p a r a s u m a n e j o e f e c t i v o . A d e m á s d e l a s
L i b r e t a s d e C a l i f i c a c i o n e s d e 2 0 0 8 , H R I h a p u b l i c a d o : A r r e c i f e s
S a l u d a b l e s p a r a G e n t e S a l u d a b l e : u n a G u í a d e i n d i c a d o r e s d e
s a l u d d e l o s a r r e c i f e s y b i e n e s t a r s o c i a l e n l a r e g i ó n d e l S i s t e m a
A r r e c i f a l M e s o a m e r i c a n o ( 2 0 0 7 ) e n l a c u a l s e d e s c r i b e n l o s
i n d i c a d o r e s p a r a s e g u i r d e c e r c a , e n f o r m a c u a n t i t a t i v a , e l
a v a n c e h a c i a u n S i s t e m a A r r e c i f a l M e s o a m e r i c a n o s a l u d a b l e ; y
l a G u í a d e R e f e r e n c i a R á p i d a ( 2 0 0 8 ) e n l a c u a l s e r e c a l c a n l o s
2 0 i n d i c a d o r e s d e m a y o r p r i o r i d a d y s e i l u s t r a n g r á f i c a m e n t e
s u s v a l o r e s m á s r e c i e n t e s , p a r a s e r v i r d e l í n e a b a s e c o m p a r a t i v a .
T o d a s l a s p u b l i c a c i o n e s e s t á n d i s p o n i b l e s d e m a n e r a g r a t u i t a e n
n u e s t r o s i t i o w e b : w w w . h e a l t h y r e e f s . o r g
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