Transboundary Cooperation in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System: A replicable model for other sectors

Description of MBRS Extends 1,000 km from Isla Contoy, Mexico to Bay Islands in Honduras Inland boundaries include coastal portions of watersheds 23 major rivers drain into the MBRS 7 important transboundary watersheds Yucatan Peninsula portion dominated by underground rivers 7 World Heritage Sites Along the MBRS and 60 protected areas Over 1 million people from coastal communities depend economically on the MBRS

Threats and Conflicts in the MBRS Unplanned coastal developments Lack of waste treatment facilities Unsustainable fishing practices Poaching Border dispute minimize patrols in transboundary zone Fragmented management for common resource Inappropriate port management and shipping practices Poor land-use planning Clearing of riparian forests for timber and hillside farming Nutrients and pesticide residues Lack of consciousness of sustainable practices Traditional use stronger than awareness

Management Institutions in MBRS Sector-specific policies and legislations dominate Turf protection among institutions and between local and central government Fragmented approach to management at the expense of the resource Integration of coastal zone management with watershed lacking Tourism policies ignore overlaps with other sectors and resource use Tourism policies seem to be private-sector driven Management institutions non-existent in some countries Difficulty in grasping the integrated management concept

Progress of Cooperation in the MBRS Functional, multi-sectoral committees to discuss cross-border issues…despite border disputes Adoption of common protocols for environmental monitoring Adoption of common school curricula Joint formulation of policies and norms to address common resource use Adoption of harmonized norms for protected areas, fisheries and tourism. Fishers across border sit at table together and adopt harmonized approach to management

Lessons Learned in Transboundary Cooperation Have faith in the ‘constituents’ of the common resources Applying the inverse approach to policy formulation has been highly successful Provide facilitating/enabling environment for multiple sectors to meet and discuss issues and conflicts Give serious consideration to suggested solutions from constituents…it determines your success Multiple level, simultaneous consultations indispensable Packaging the information, suggestions and proposals must include legal advisors and those close to the decision makers.

Conclusions and Application to Other Sectors Transboundary approach to management is a dynamic process in constant evolution, and requires permanent cooperation and negotiations Progress to date is just a start, but has paved the way for more comprehensive and structured cooperation in other sectors across borders Progress to date is still sector-specific, and integration between sectors and then across borders must be pursued…a lot of road to cover Progress to date in natural resource based negotiations is an encouraging alternative for pursuing a solution to border disputes, in a less conventional and tense environment

Princess Margaret Drive For more information Please contact: Noel D. Jacobs MBRS Project Princess Margaret Drive P.O. Box 93 Belize City, Belize Tel. (501)-223-3895; Fax. (501)-223-4513 E-mail: mbrs@btl.net Website: www.mbrs.org.bz