David and Goliath Cabo Pulmo National Park
Gulf of California Marine Program: Using Science to Influence Conservation
In Mexico, there is a tremendous opportunity to integrate a network of MPAs. By taking advantage of the significant scientific knowledge and monetary investment to date, the time is now to move forward with no-take MPA implementation. The Gulf of California Marine Program (GCMP) is one of the primary groups working on this effort. GCMP is focused on providing scientific and social expertise to catalyze the expansion of the MPA networks in Mexican seas, while ensuring sound and successful fisheries management. San Benito Islands Baja California
The current issues with MPAs in Mexican waters are magnified by the lack of communication and translation of
10% BY 2020
There is a growing global movement to set aside 10% of the ocean in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and implement sound fisheries management issues by 2020. Only 2% of the world’s oceans are protected and the vast majority
of MPAs and fisheries are poorly managed. Protecting essential marine habitats within MPAs is key to ensuring the ocean’s health. MPAs can increase biodiversity and preserve sensitive ecosystems, while providing healthy fisheries to generate income and jobs for local communities. GCMP: USING SCIENCE TO INFLUENCE CONSERVATION // 2
information for decision-makers. This information is essential for proper consolidation and evaluation. Ineffective dissemination of science among key sectors (academia, policy, and community) and little data transparency between stakeholders are the main roadblocks to a MPA’s environmental and socio-economic success. GCMP is working to address these issues to ensure 10% of Mexican waters are designated as no-take MPAs by 2020.
Focus Region for an MPA network – Gulf of California The Gulf of California is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This narrow sea is one of the most unique and richest ecosystems on the planet. In addition to a wide range of endemic creatures, the Gulf is home to critically endangered species such as the Vaquita and Totoaba. The Gulf and Northwest Mexico also hosts many threatened migratory animals such as the California gray whale, hammerhead shark, manta ray and leatherback sea turtle. Today, the Gulf of California’s marine environment is facing serious challenges. Lack of enforcement, resources and little political consensus have stifled the Mexican
stakeholders initiative to create a robust MPA network, which would ensure sustainable fisheries. Additionally, due to minimal efforts to communicate the knowledge generated by science, many stakeholders have been slow to embrace conservation measures. Fortunately, there have been several recent examples of productive MPAs in Mexican waters. The GCMP has experience working with stakeholders to replicate the main elements of success in these areas and implement this approach in other regions.
Cabo Pulmo National Park Baja California Sur
CABO PULMO The most successful MPA in the world! Cabo Pulmo is considered a gold standard in terms of coastal protection in Mexico.
Upper Gulf
Fishing is prohibited in Cabo Pulmo and the residents are working in lockstep with
Current CurrentMPAs MPAs Places to PlacesGCMP GCMPisisworking working strengthen MPAs by 2020 Loreto
Bahia Magdalena
Mexican government to ensure the reef remains protected. The success of Cabo Pulmo is a result of: High quality habitat
Espíritu Santo
Enforcement
Cabo Pulmo
Marismas Nacionales
Holbox
Bahía de Banderas
Good governance A community that is informed about the science
Banco Chinchorro
Revillagigedo Archipelago La Encrucijada
GCMP: USING SCIENCE TO INFLUENCE CONSERVATION // 3
High community involvement
Cabo Pulmo – a Model for MPA Success!
About Octavio Aburto
Using Cabo Pulmo as a model for success, we know that it takes two key factors to implement MPAs throughout Mexico:
Octavio is the Director
GCMP aims to connect local people with the global community to adequately protect Mexican Seas. In Mexico, we now know that a bottom up approach works best. Community investment in an MPA ensures that people are dedicated to the success of the designated area. Modeling successful ocean-centric social media campaigns and using beautiful imagery and video from our lead Scientist and Photographer, Octavio Aburto, we will inspire the public to protect the special places in Mexican waters.
an Assistant Professor
of the Gulf of California Marine Program. He is
C O M M U N I C AT I O N S
A. Traditional Media:
at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) and a professional photographer associated with the International League of Conservation Photographers. Octavio obtained his PhD at the Center of
B. Social Media & Websites:
Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at SIO and was honored with the Jean Fort Award by
Our media partners
the University of California, San Diego for his Current reach: 20M unique visitors/mo.
Current reach: 20K followers, 50K impressions
Goal by 2017: 40M unique visitors/mo.
Goal by 2017: 50K followers, 100K impressions
significant contribution to an issue of public concern through his doctoral research. As a Kathryn Fuller and Hellman Fellow, his research and photographs have focused on marine protected areas and commercially exploited marine species in Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica,
By maintaining dialogue and building strong relationships with regional stakeholders and researchers, the GCMP can assess - and address - the unique needs of the region. The GCMP promotes transparency to work towards viable partnerships and solutions within target communities. As a result of GCMP’s work, community-based MPAs will result in better enforcement and protection at the local level (this approach avoids a ‘paper park’).
COMMUNITIES
FOR EACH OF THE
10
COMMUNITIES
Work with at least one K-12 school
Distribute 10,000 brochures
Cultivate 2-3 community leaders as MPA spokespeople
Produce 1 film with Mares Mexicanos
Ecuador and the U.S. His photographs have been part of several conservation projects worldwide and have won international photography contests including a gold place in the Our World Underwater 2016. Websites: octavioaburto.com gulfprogram.ucsd.edu conservationphotographers.org Email: info@gocmarineprogram.org Phone: 858-534-1154
GCMP: USING SCIENCE TO INFLUENCE CONSERVATION // 4