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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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) ; Fax. (501)
Website: