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PROGRAM AREAS - Conservation of the Mesoamerican Reef
Overview | Program
Objectives | Healthy
Reefs
Program Objectives
We have selected the following objectives because: (i) they address
key threats or bottlenecks in the ecoregion; (ii) they tackle issues
that appear to be under-funded and/or offer unique and timely opportunities
for success; (iii) they offer opportunities for highly leveraged action
and collaboration; and (iv) they build on The Summit Foundation’s
past grantmaking experience in the ecoregion.
OBJECTIVE 1: Identify, prioritize, and sustainably
manage all viable fish spawning aggregation sites in the four Mesoamerican
Reef countries, including selected nursery sites.
This objective seeks to establish the first ecoregional network
of protected spawning aggregation sites in the world. These predictable
reproductive locations are critical for the survival of many species
of fish that come together to spawn and for the long-term ecological
and economic sustainability of the fisheries in the ecoregion. Many
of them are being depleted to the point of extinction. This objective
also addresses the need for identifying and protecting key nursery
sites that show connectivity with important spawning areas and existing
marine protected areas.
OBJECTIVE 2: Secure long-term
conservation funding for the Mesoamerican Reef by establishing an
endowed financial mechanism.
This objective addresses the lack of steady, long-term conservation
financing for the Mesoamerican Reef Ecoregion through the creation
of the first ecoregional conservation fund in the Western Hemisphere,
as an endowed, privately managed fund. The new financial mechanism
is designed to attract funds from multilateral, bilateral, and private
sources.
OBJECTIVE 3: Significantly reduce agro-industrial
and shrimp farming effluents that drain into the Reef system by
improving the management practices of key producers.
This objective seeks to reduce soil runoff and agro-chemical effluents
from selected agricultural commodities that directly affect the
Mesoamerican Reef. In partnership with NGOs, universities, governments
and other donors, our grantees are identifying the most damaging
practices used by the export crop industry, and will engage the
companies’ top leadership to help them implement better management
practices in Belize, Northern Honduras and the Mexican state of
Quintana Roo. This objective also aims to foster partnerships among
government agencies, producers, investors, buyers and other stakeholders
to promote the adoption of better management practices for shrimp
aquaculture in Belize. Ultimately, we seek to demonstrate that by
minimizing the environmental impacts of shrimp farming we can help
reduce its costs and increase or at least maintain that industry’s
profits.
OBJECTIVE 4: Establish at least one highly
effective environmental law group per country poised to address
the most critical threats and glaring environmental abuses in the
Mesoamerican Reef.
This objective aims to develop a strong network of environmental
law experts in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Mexican state
of Quintana Roo capable of addressing the most significant issues
affecting the Mesoamerican Reef, including the need for better enforcement
of laws to protect important coastal/marine resources.
OBJECTIVE 5: Ensure that a critical mass of
hotel chains and cruise lines adopt eco-friendly policies and implement
improved construction and service practices in the Mesoamerican
Reef.
This objective seeks to foster innovative partnerships among NGOs,
governments, the main hotel chains, cruise lines, and marine recreation
service providers to promote better management practices. A successful
alliance should guarantee the health and integrity of the Mesoamerican
Reef while strengthening the local economies, the government’s
ability to secure long-term returns from an otherwise fragile natural
resource, and the tourism industry’s financial bottom line.
Other critical issues that have a direct impact on the future of
the Mesoamerican Reef and other important coral reef systems and
coastal populations around the world – such as global warming,
ocean acidification, and rising sea levels – are beyond the
current purview of our grantmaking program. We are aware of the
importance of tackling those overarching challenges, and we enthusiastically
endorse efforts to address them.
| We are not accepting unsolicited
proposals for the Mesoamerican Reef Program at this time. |
Overview | Program
Objectives | Healthy
Reefs
Global Population and Youth Leadership
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| Photo by Melanie
McField |
Cruise Tourism in Belize:
Perceptions of Economic, Social,
& Environmental Impact
(PDF 2.1MB)
MAR Fund Prospectus
(PDF 2.9MB)
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| Photo by Wolcott Henry |
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