World Wildlife Fund

Conservation is most successful when people can manage their own natural resources, within their own social, cultural and economic contexts. Over generations, the residents of local communities have amassed direct knowledge of their environment, and they have a vested interest in protecting it. WWF’s commitment to these communities is to strengthen their role as environmental decision makers. Witness these examples from the Mesoamerican Reef.

Local Research, Local Commitment WWF developed a fisheries management plan in five marine protected areas in Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala to address the decline of fish stocks from unsustainable fishing practices. We trained local authorities and fishermen to SCUBA dive so they could collect the needed data. We helped them analyze their data, then brought together all stakeholders to collaborate on plans for sustainable resource use.

“I have been fishing for 23 years – I know these waters. But learning to SCUBA dive and collect data has added even more to what I know. I feel more involved in the fisheries work because the information I gather will be part of the management plan. We are protecting the future of our jobs by taking care of the fishery the right way.”

Aurelio Cruz Silva
Member, Sea Vanguard Fishermen Cooperative Society, Holbox, Mexico

In 2004, WWF helped the Baja California spiny lobster fishery secure the right to use the Marine Stewardship Council ecolabel, assuring consumers that the seafood was caught in an environmentally sustainable manner.We knew this would become a model for other fishing cooperatives, and it has.
© WWF-Canon/Gustavo Ybarra

Certified Sustainable, Certified Marketable WWF is promoting the use of sustainable fishing practices in the Mesoamerican Reef. The reef's waters are relied on by more than 10,000 commercial fishermen. They know firsthand that unsustainable fishing practices are reducing breeding populations: In the Mexican portion of the reef, total catch amounts decreased by 35 percent in the decade from 1991 to 2001. As in most of the world’s fisheries, the Mexican lobster fishing cooperatives are small-scale; but these are savvy fishermen and they are looking for ways to do business better, including entering the niche market for certified lobster, made possible by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

“WWF showed us how well MSC certification has worked for the fishermen in the Baja California spiny lobster fishery. I approached WWF about getting our 19 lobster fishing cooperatives certified. WWF came to visit us, explained how we could do it, and helped us select six coops as test cases. I’m very optimistic that at the end of this 18-month project, we’ll be on our way to becoming the second MSC-certified fishery in Mexico.” Jaime Medina
President, Regional Federation of Fishermen Cooperatives, Quintana
Roo, Mexico

Less Pollution, Same Profits For every challenge that agriculture brings to conserving nature, it offers an opportunity. While agricultural operations can threaten habitats, pollute waters and consume natural resources, they can – when sustainably managed – provide new habitats, help protect watersheds and improve soil health. WWF is working with the Citrus Growers Association in Belize to lessen the environmental impact of agriculture – without affecting profits. “Weed control is a huge problem for Belize’s citrus growers. Weeds compete with the citrus trees for nourishment and harbor snakes which can endanger grove workers. So we use herbicides to kill off the weeds. But doing this brings other concerns: soil erosion, possible impacts on river and sea life, and high expenses for growers. WWF is working with us to find better, more economical methods of weed control, such as planting cover crops that naturally replace weeds and reduce soil erosion. These crops also add nutrients to the soil and reduce the amount of herbicides used by growers.”

Bridget Cullerton
CEO, Citrus Growers Association, Stann Creek District, Belize