Application of sustainable financing funds for marine and coastal protected areas in the Mesoamerican reef (MAR FUND)

The Atlantic Coast's largest reef system, the Mesoamerican reef (MAR) extends over more than 1,000 kilometres of coast. With 90% endemic species, the reef is home to over 500 species of fish and 65 species of reef-building corals. MAR provides direct sources of both subsistence and revenue, offering natural protection from coastal hazards to 50% of the population. However, over-fishing, mass tourism and climate change are threatening these exceptional ecosystems, whose degradation will have a significant impact on coastal inhabitants.

To address these issues, the innovative project supported by the FFEM aims to ensure and strengthen the management of the coastal and marine protected areas defined by the 4 countries affected: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.

The project has 4 components:

• Establishing, capitalising and administering a conservation trust fund: revenues will sustainably support civil society initiatives for the conservation and management of marine protected areas (MPA).
• Put in place a Small-scale Initiatives Programme for local conservation projects in 14 MPA through annual subsidy cycles.
• Bolster 4 MPAs through infrastructure and equipment investments, and by consolidating planning and management capabilities.
• Creating a community of practice across the network of MPAs to encourage peer learning and sharing of the best practices emerging from the Small-scale Initiatives Programme.

• Setting-up a permanent and functional source of revenue benefiting the MAR Fund initiative.
• Expansion of the activities and capability of 20 civil society organisations in the region.
• Implementation of at least 7 projects relating to fisheries or sustainable tourism.
• Identification of the MAR Fund as a major funding partner in the Mesoamerican reef, giving greater voice in local political and institutional discussions.
• Consolidation of 4 MPAs able to act as thematic mentors within the network.
• Bringing 14 MPAs into a learning community to strengthen their capabilities.

This initiative - supported by the FFEM - is novel on many levels. Its regional scope allows for mechanisms and dialogues to be put in place at transnational level. It also benefits from permanent funding which enables the MAR Fund to engage with conservation strategies in the long term, to offer its beneficiaries ongoing support, and to have greater visibility and impact. It also unites 4 national conservation trust funds within a transnational approach and is the leading regional-level trust fund in Latin America. This initiative offers a financial tool for existing local strategies (MPA management plans, Healthy Reef programme monitoring work, etc.) and encourages co-management solutions for the sustainable use of natural resources.