THE WORLD BANK/IFC/M.I.G.A.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 30, 2000
TO: Mr. Ken King, Assistant CEO, GEF Secretariat
Att: GEF PROGRAM COORDINATION
FROM: Lars Vidaeus, GEF Executive Coordinator
EXTENSION: 3-4188
SUBJECT: Regional (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico): Conservation and Sustainable Use of
the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS)
Submission for Work Program Inclusion
Please find enclosed the electronic attachment of the above mentioned project brief for
work program inclusion. We would appreciate receiving any comments by July 14, 2000.
The proposal is consistent with the Criteria for Review of GEF Projects as presented in
the following sections of the project brief:
· Country Drivenness: please see Section B2 (Governments' Strategy) and Section D4
(Indications of recipient commitment) for a discussion of country ownership of the MBRS
program; these sections start on pages 6 and 19, respectively.
· Endorsement: endorsement letters for the project were received from each of the
participating country focal points at the time of PDF Block B approval; as indicated in the
letters of endorsement, the focal points have agreed on single project endorsements for the
entire project cycle.
· Program Designation & Conformity: please see Section B1(b) (GEF operational
strategy/program objective addressed by the Project), page 3.
· Project Design: please see section C (Project Description Summary) starting on page 8,
Annex 1 (Project Design Summary), and Annex 2 (Detailed Project Description).
· Sustainability: please see Section F1 (Sustainability) starting on page 24.
· Replicability: please see Section D (Project Rationale) on pages 14-15, Section F
(Sustainability) on page 25, and the STAP Reviewer's comments in Annex 4.
· Stakeholder Involvement: for a discussion of project stakeholders, please see Section C3
(Benefits and target population) on page 12; for a discussion of the involvement of
stakeholders in preparation and implementation, please see Sections E5 (Social) and E7
(Participatory Approach) on pages 22-24.
· Monitoring & Evaluation: Monitoring is a particular focus of the proposed project; detailed
information on proposed M&E activities is presented in Annex 2 (page 9); the institutional
framework for implementation of the M&E program may be found at Annex 2 (starting at
page 13). M&E indicators are presented in Annex 1.
· Financing Plan: please see the summary project cost table in Section C1 (page 11), and the
broader incremental cost assessment in Annex 3.
Mr. Ken King -2- July 26, 2000
· Cost-effectiveness: a quantitative assessment of cost-effectiveness has not been attempted;
rather a discussion of alternatives considered and rejected is presented in Section D1
(starting on page 14).
· Core Commitments and Linkages: please see the discussion of the project's linkage to the
WB Country Assistance Strategies in the four participating countries in Section B1(a)
starting on page 3.
· Consultation, Coordination and Collaboration between IAs: please see Section D2 (Major
related Projects financed by the Bank and/or other development agencies) for a
discussion of other donor programs with links to the proposed project as well as
coordination with GEF-supported initiatives (pages 17-18); Annex 5, Matrix 3: Current
and Planned Regional Projects/Programs with Relevance to the Conservation and
Sustainable Use of the MBRS (Annex 5, page 13).
· Response to GEFSEC Review at the time of pipeline entry: At the time of PDF Block B
approval, the Secretariat team recommended that the Bank preparation team address the
following prior to WP entry:
a) the need for a strong consultative effort: An iterative process of consultation and
consensus building has been used throughout project preparation. The project preparation
team has engaged in a highly participatory process of consultation at the regional, national
and local levels in the identification and design of project components with a transboundary
emphasis, in the allocation of budgets across project components and in the negotiation of
institutional arrangements for project implementation. Consultations with various
stakeholder groups have taken place throughout Project preparation in a series of regional
workshops and local level meetings, and their concerns have been reflected in the current
Project design. Technical working groups will be set up during Project implementation to
ensure participation of specialized sectors in the design of annual work programs, and
transparency in the process of implementation.
b) selectivity in Project components and activities: PDF Block B and other project
preparation funds were used to narrow the focus of regional activities to transboundary,
system-wide issues, requiring coordinated action and close collaboration of the four
riparians involved. Agreement on a transboundary focus for project level interventions
during this phase was influenced by the results of the Transbounary Diagnostic Analysis
and the Threat and Root Cause Analysis carried out during project preparation. These
revealed hot spots in transboundary areas of the MBRS and inadequate incentives and
mechanisms to address these threats. The components of the Phase 1 project and the
design of supporting activities and budget levels were refined through a series of regional
and national workshops, informed by technical studies and expert consultations, and
adopted by consensus at the final regional preparation workshop in Tulum, Mexico, in
April 2000.
c) preparation of a Threat and Root Cause Analysis to guide project design: A
comprehensive Threat and Root Cause Analysis was undertaken, which explored
immediate impacts and threats to the resources of the MBRS in different parts of its range
and the underlying causes of these impacts and sources of stress. The results of the
analysis revealed that uncontrolled coastal development, primarily related to tourism and
Mr. Ken King -3- July 26, 2000
recreation, was a growing threat to the health of the MBRS. While gaps in the regulatory
framework and availability of information, including best practice were identified in some
countries, failure to apply existing regulations and policies consistently were flagged as
root causes in others. The transboundary areas of the Bay of Chetumal, along the frontier
between northern Belize and Mexico, and the Gulf of Honduras to the south, along the tri-
national frontier of Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, were identified as hot spots.
Deteriorating water quality from run-off related to inland agriculture along the watersheds
and coastal pollution from point sources related to tourism, port development and
municipal growth was flagged as threat to be monitored and ultimately controlled through
improved data collection and regulatory standards. The findings of the Threat and Root
Cause Analysis are presented in Annex 6 (Matrices 1 and 2) and have been used to target
project interventions both geographically and programmatically.
d) integration of the associated economic sectors in the ecosystem management
program: To address the need for sectoral integration in the design of an ecosystem
management program for the MBRS, national coral reef committees were formed in each
country. These are multi-stakeholder groups representing a range of economic sectors,
government, NGO, research and private sector interests in the future of the MBRS. These
committees have served a review function and information clearinghouse role during
project design, ensuring ownership by a range of stakeholders and links to local and
regional technical expertise. The national committees and the MBRS national coordinators
selected from their ranks to serve as principal focal point for the project, will continue to
play an oversight role during project implementation. They will provide both technical and
policy advice to the Project Coordination Unit during project implementation and a source
of recruitment to the technical working groups, drawn from members of each country, who
will oversee implementation of individual project components.
e) strong policy focus at regional level: Harmonization of policies across the four
countries and strengthening of regulatory frameworks related to use of MBRS resources--
e.g., in the fisheries, tourism , water and environment sectors--is a long-term objective of
the MBRS program. A legal and policy analysis identifying gaps and inconsistencies in
legislation across the four countries, inadequacies in regulations, and inconsistencies in the
application of existing laws and policies was carried out. A phased approach to legislative
reform, initially targeting soft policies that need to be made more robust and operational,
leading up to legislative reform in instances where laws are inadequate or outdated, will be
adopted. Policy objectives have been identified in the design of each component and a
regional policy working group will provide technical assistance and oversight to thematic
groups to help ensure progress in achieving these objectives during project implementation.
Equally important, the policy working group will liaise closely with CCAD (the
environmental directorate of the regional body for Central American Integration (SICA)),
to bring key policy issues to the attention of the council of environment ministers of Central
America and Mexico for debate and resolution at their regular meetings. The secretariat of
CCAD , which is the designated implementing agency for both the MBRS project and the
MBC regional UNDP/GEF project, will promote integration of the marine corridor into
the MBC by promoting land use and environmental policies that take into account the
downstream linkages between watersheds and the coastal zone, supporting joint monitoring
Mr. Ken King -4- July 26, 2000
and mapping efforts and interpretation of information to policy makers and the public
about the importance of the corridor and the functional interdependence of terrestrial,
aquatic and marine habitats within the MBC. Annual evaluation of indicators related to
project policy objectives will help maintain momentum for their achievement.
f) the need for a stronger financing plan and sustainability of Project activities: The
Program for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
System is envisioned as a long-term, multi partner/multi-donor effort. A matrix of
activities in the region prepared as part of the TRC Analysis to assess baseline activities
and gaps in resource allocation revealed a number of national and sub-regional efforts
which are now underway or in the pipeline and which form part of the MBRS initiative.
Putting these effort into a more coherent programmatic framework will be one of the tasks
of the project's Technical Advisory Group--a committee representing the key donors in the
region whose task will be to identify potential linkages and synergies between the MBRS
GEF project and their own efforts, and opportunities for consolidating these through co-
financing and joint implementation. Creating these linkages will enhance the sustainability
of individual efforts, raise the visibility of the MBRS within the donor community and
governments and strengthen the constituency for its conservation and management.
The current financing plan for the Bank/GEF project includes a 28% counterpart
contribution by participating governments and local NGOs, totalling some $4.3 million in
cash and in kind. World Wildlife Fund has been working hand in hand with the Bank/GEF
project preparation team to develop an ecoregional approach for the conservation and
sustainable use of the MBRS. They have recently formalized their commitment to some $3
million over the next five years for marine conservation and capacity building activities, and
will be collaborating on much of the research and monitoring of the MBRS to be carried
out under components 1 and 2 of the Bank/GEF Phase 1 project.
Parallel co-financing for the tourism and policy components of the project is being provided
through a $5million IDA credit to the Government of Honduras to promote a national
strategy for Sustainable Coastal Tourism along the north coast and the Bay Islands of
Honduras, the southeastern most extension of the MBRS. A parallel project of the
Interamerican Development Bank to support Natural Resources Management in the Bay
Islands ($25 million) is entering its second year of implementation, and is being
coordinated closely with the Bank LIL and the GEF MBRS project. In addition to these
programs, there is broad scope for additional support by the Dutch for project
implementation through the Bank/Netherlands Partnership Program. This is currently
being pursued in the context of strengthening CCAD's capacity and that of its regional
coordination units for supervision and monitoring of the wider MBC program .
Lastly, a new IADB/GEF initiative is being prepared to address marine pollution issues in
the Gulf of Honduras, partially in response to the Threat Root Cause Analysis undertaken
during preparation of the Bank/GEF phase 1 project. Coordination between activities
under this initiative and the MBRS Phase 1 regional project will be facilitated through
mutual membership of the two institutions on regional steering committees for the MBRS
Program and through joint participation in project planning and implementation workshops,
such as those organized to date.
Mr. Ken King -5- July 26, 2000
The World Bank recognizes that it is very important for such a complex, multi-country
project to clearly define measurable outcomes that respond to the main threats. Finalization of
project design prior to CEO endorsement will concentrate on sharpening the activities with an
eye to achieving results on the ground that become building blocks towards the long-term
objective.
Please let me know if you require any additional information to complete your review
prior to inclusion in the work program. Many thanks.
Distribution:
Messrs.: R. Asenjo, UNDP
A. Djoghlaf, UNEP (Nairobi)
M. Gadgil, STAP
M. Griffith, STAP (Nairobi)
Y. Xiang, CBD Secretariat
cc: Messrs./Mmes. Lafourcade, Brizzi (LCC1C); Dowsett-Coirolo, Cackler, Bowyer
(LCC2C); Kalantzopoulos, Clark (LCC3C); Serra, Lovejoy, Rodriguez, Kimes (LCSES);
Hatziolos, Castro, Khanna, Aryal (ENV).
ENVGC ISC, IRIS4
PROJECT BRIEF
1. IDENTIFIERS:
PROJECT NUMBER:
GE-P053349
PROJECT NAME:
REGIONAL (BELIZE, HONDURAS, GUATEMALA, MEXICO):
CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF THE
MESOAMERICAN BARRIER REEF SYSTEM
DURATION:
Phase 1, 5 years
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:
World Bank
EXECUTING AGENCY:
Central American Commission on Environment and
Development (CCAD)
REQUESTING COUNTRY OR
Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico
COUNTRIES:
ELIGIBILITY:
Belize ratified CBD 12/30/93
Honduras ratified CBD 7/31/95
Guatemala ratified CBD 1/10/95
Mexico ratified CBD 3/11/93
GEF FOCAL AREA:
Biological Diversity and International Waters
GEF PROGRAMMING FRAMEWORK:
GEF Operational Program for Biodiversity for Freshwater,
Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (OP2), and International
Waters Operational Program for Integrated Land and
Walter Multiple Focal Area (OP 9).
2. SUMMARY:
The global objective of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Project is to enhance protection of the
ecologically unique and vulnerable marine ecosystems comprising the MBRS, by assisting the
littoral states to strengthen and coordinate national policies, regulations and institutional
arrangements for the conservation and sustainable use of this global public good. The GEF Project
will, therefore, assist Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras to: (i) strengthen existing MPAs and
establish new protected areas in transboundary locations; (ii) develop and implement a standardized
regional monitoring and environmental information system for the MBRS; (iii) promote measures to
reduce non-sustainable patterns of resource use in the MBRS, focusing initially on the fisheries and
tourism sectors; (iv) increase local and national capacity for environmental management through
education, information sharing and training; and (v) strengthen and coordinate national policies,
regulations, and institutional arrangements for marine ecosystem conservation and sustainable use.
3. COSTS AND FINANCING (MILLION US$):
GEF:
-Project
10.10
- PDF
0.52
Subtotal GEF
10.62
CO-FINANCING:
-IA
n/a
-Other International
n/a
-Government of
Belize
1.70
Guatemala
0.60
Honduras
0.60
Mexico
0.76
Private: NGO Counterparts
0.50
Private: WWF
3.00
Subtotal Co-Financing
7.16
TOTAL PROJECT COST
17.78
4. ASSOCIATED FINANCING (MILLION US$)
HONDURAS IDA CREDIT
5.00
IDB
24.00
5. OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT ENDORSEMENT:
Name: Ms. Zenaida Moya
Title: GEF Focal Point (Belize)
Organization: MINISTRY OF BUDGET
PLANNING & MANAGEMENT, ECONOMIC
Date: November 13, 1998
DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE
Name: Enrique Arias Guillen
Title: GEF Focal Point (Honduras), Sub-Secretary for
Organization: MINISTRY OF NATIONAL
the Environment
RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
Date: September 22, 1998
Name: Ricardo Ochoa
Title: GEF Focal Point (Mexico), Director for
Organization: MINISTRY OF FINANCE
International Financial Organizations
AND PUBLIC CREDIT
Date: November 16, 1998
Name: Adrian Juaraz P.
Title: GEF Focal Point (Guatemala), National
Organization: NATIONAL COMMISSION
Coordinator
OF ENVIRONMENT
Date: November 10, 1998
6. IA CONTACT:
Christine Kimes
Telephone: 202-473-3689: Fax: 202-676-9373
CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS
Currency Unit = US$
FISCAL YEAR
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
CARICOMP Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity Program
CAS Country Assistance Strategy
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CCAD Central American Commission on Environment and Development (Comisión Centroamericana de
Ambiente y Desarrollo)
CEP Caribbean Environment Program
CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
CPACC Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Climate Change
DANIDA Danish International Development Agency
EIS Environmental Information System
FAO UN Food and Agriculture Organization
GCRMN Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network
GEF Global Environment Facility
GTZ German Agency for Technical Cooperation (Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit)
IDB Inter-American Development Bank
IUCN World Conservation Union
LBSP Land-Based Sources of Pollution
LME Large Marine Ecosystem
MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution
MBC Mesoamerican Biological Corridor
MBRS Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System
MPA Marine Protected Area
NGO Nongovernmental Organization
PA Protected Area
PCU Project Coordination Unit
PY Project Year
RSC Regional Steering Committee
SAS Spawning Aggregation Sites
SICA System for Central American Integration (Sistema para la Integración Centroamericana)
SPAW Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (Cartagena Convention)
TAC Technical Advisory Committee
TNC The Nature Conservancy
TRCA Threat and Root Cause Analysis
TWG Regional Technical Working Groups
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
URI/CRC University of Rhode Island/Coastal Resources Center
USAID United States Agency for International Development
WWF World Wide Fund for Nature
Vice President: David De Ferranti
Country Manager/Director: Donna Dowsett-Coirolo
Sector Manager/Director: John Redwood
Task Team Leader/Task Manager: Marea E. Hatziolos
Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico
Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS)
CONTENTS
A: Project Development Objective ............................................................................... 2
1. Project development objective and key performance indicators (see Annex 1):........ 2
2. Project global objectives and key performance indicators (see Annex 1): ................ 2
B: Strategic Context...................................................................................................... 3
1 (a). Sector-related Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) goal supported by the Project
(see Annex 1):............................................................................................................. 3
1 (b). GEF operational strategy/program objective addressed by the Project:............... 3
2. Main sector issues and Government strategy: .......................................................... 4
3. Sector issues to be addressed by the Project and strategic choices: .......................... 7
C: Project Description Summary (See Annex 2) .......................................................... 7
1. Project components..................................................................................................... 8
2. Key policy and institutional reforms supported by the Project: .............................. 11
3. Benefits and target population: .............................................................................. 11
4. Institutional and implementation arrangements: (See Annex 2 for a more detailed discussion
of these arrangements) .............................................................................................. 12
D: Project Rationale ................................................................................................... 13
1. Justification for Project design and alternatives considered and reasons for rejection:13
2. Major related Projects financed by the Bank and/or other development agencies (completed,
ongoing and planned):............................................................................................... 15
3. Lessons learned and reflected in proposed Project design: ..................................... 18
4. Indications of borrower commitment and ownership: ............................................ 18
5. Value added of Bank and GEF support in this Project: .......................................... 19
E: Summary Project Analyses.................................................................................... 20
1. Economic (supported by Annex 3, Incremental Cost): ........................................... 20
2. Financial): NPV=US$ million; FRR= %.............................................................. 20
3. Technical: ............................................................................................................. 20
4. Institutional: (see Annex 2) ................................................................................... 20
5. Social:................................................................................................................... 22
6. Environmental assessment: ...................... Environmental Category [ ] A [X] B [ ] C 23
7. Participatory approach [key stakeholders, how involved, and what they have influenced; if
participatory approach not used, describe why not applicable]: ................................. 23
F: Sustainability and Risks ......................................................................................... 24
1. Sustainability: ....................................................................................................... 24
2. Critical risks (reflecting assumptions in the fourth column of Annex 1):................ 26
3. Possible controversial aspects:............................................................................... 26
G: Main Grant Conditions ......................................................................................... 27
1. Effectiveness conditions:....................................................................................... 27
Annexes
Annex 1. Project Design Summary
Annex 2. Detailed Project Description
Table 1. Proposed Activities for Policy Objectives under the Project
Table 2. Marine and Coastal Protected Areas to be Support through the MBRS MPA Component
Annex 3. Incremental Cost Analysis
Annex 4. STAP Reviewer's Comments
Annex 5. Threat and Root Cause Analysis
Matrix 1 Main Threats and Actions Proposed
Matrix 2 Main Transboundary Issues and Actions Proposed
Matrix 3 Current and Planned Regional Project/Programs Relevant to the MBRS
Map 1. Location of Threats to the Ecological Health of the MBRS (separate file)
Map 2. Location of Priority Protected Areas (separate file)
Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS)
Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico
Project Appraisal Document
Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office, LCC2C
Date: June 29, 2000
Task Team Leader/Task Manager: Marea E. Hatziolos
Country Manager/Director: Donna Dowsett-Coirolo
Sector Manager/Director: John Redwood
Project ID: GE-P053349
Sector: Environment
Program Objective Category: Environmentally Sustainable
Development
Focal Area: Coastal, Marine, and Freshwater Ecosystems
(Operational Program: No. 2) and Integrated Land and
Water Multiple Focal Area Operational Program
(Operational Program: No. 9)
Program of Targeted Intervention:
[] Yes [X] No
Project Financing Data
[ ] Loan
[ ] Credit
[ ] Guarantee
X] Grant
[] Other [Specify]
For Loans/Credits/Others:
Amount (US$m/SDRm): US$17.3 million
Financing plan (US$m):
Source
Local
Foreign
Total
Government of Belize
0.8
0.9
1.7
Government of Guatemala
0.3
0.3
0.6
Government of Honduras
0.3
0.3
0.6
Government of Mexico
0.4
0.4
0.8
Cofinanciers (WWF)
2.0
1.0
3.0
GEF
4.0
6.1
10.1
Beneficiaries
0.2
0.3
0.5
Total
8.0
9.3
17.3
Recipient: Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD)
Responsible agency: Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD)
Estimated disbursements (Bank FY/US$M):
PY1
PY2
PY3
PY4
PY5
Total
Annual
1.4
2.9
2.5
2.1
1.2
10.1
Cumulative
1.4
4.3
6.8
8.9
10.1
Project implementation period: 5 yrs; Expected effectiveness date: February 20001; Expected closing date: June 2006
OSD PAD Form: July 30, 1997
A: Project Development Objective
1. Project development objective and key performance indicators (see Annex 1):
The Project development objective is to assist the countries of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico
to manage the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) as a shared, regional ecosystem, safeguard its
biodiversity values and functional integrity, and create a framework for its sustainable use.
2. Project global objectives and key performance indicators (see Annex 1):
The global objective of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Project is to enhance protection of the
ecologically unique and vulnerable marine ecosystems comprising the MBRS, by assisting the littoral
states to strengthen and coordinate national policies, regulations and institutional arrangements for the
conservation and sustainable use of this global public good.
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, extending from the southern half of the Yucatan Peninsula to the
Bay Islands of Honduras, includes the second longest barrier reef in the world. The MBRS is unique in
the Western hemisphere on account of its size, its array of reef types, and the luxuriance of corals it
contains. The MBRS stabilizes and protects coastal landscapes; maintains coastal water quality; sustains
species of commercial importance; serves as breeding and feeding grounds for marine mammals, reptiles,
fish and invertebrates; and offers employment alternatives and incomes to approximately one million
people living in coastal zones adjacent to the reefs. Associated with the coral reefs of the MBRS are
extensive areas of relatively pristine coastal wetlands, lagoons, seagrass beds and mangrove forests; these
sustain exceptionally high biodiversity and provide critical habitat for threatened species. The
outstanding ecological and cultural significance of the MBRS has resulted in its designation as a World
Heritage site.
The Project would seek to conserve this globally important resource by providing support for the
strengthening of existing and creation of a variety of new mechanisms to safeguard its integrity and
continued productivity. These include facilitating the: harmonization of relevant policies and regulations
related to sustainable management of shared/transboundary resources, including fisheries and critical
habitats for spawning and recruitment; consolidation of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
within the MBRS to maintain vital ecological processes and increase representativeness in the existing
system; reaching of agreement on the establishment of environmental standards for monitoring coastal
water quality and other indicators of coral reef ecosystem health; introduction of best practice and
regional environmental certification programs for sustainable tourism development; and building of
capacity through training, environmental education and improved information systems to enhance public
and private participation in the conservation of the MBRS and the benefits from its sustainable use.
Key performance indicators include:
· Regional frameworks in place for management of diverse resources of the MBRS
· Biological representation and ecological interconnectivity maintained in coastal and marine
ecosystems throughout MBRS
· Ecoregional approach to MBRS management incorporated into conservation planning at local,
national and regional levels
· Steps towards harmonization of relevant policies and legislation regarding MPA management in
transboundary areas, sustainable fisheries management; sustainable tourism development; and
protection of coastal water quality agreed and initiated in all four countries
· Fora for regional cooperation at technical and policy levels operational.
2
B: Strategic Context
1 (a). Sector-related Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) goal supported by the Project (see Annex 1):
(i) Mexico CAS document number: Date of latest CAS discussion: May 13, 1999
(ii) Belize CAS document number: N/A Date of latest CAS discussion: 1993
(iii) Guatemala CAS document number: 18036 Date of latest CAS discussion: June 19, 1998
(iv) Honduras CAS document number: 19893 Date of latest CAS discussion: November 19, 1999
Common Sector Goals among MBRS Countries: Reduce poverty; increase environmental security,
accelerate economic growth in rural areas, and increase effectiveness of the public sector and its policies.
The Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for Mexico identifies three core themes for World Bank Group
assistance to Mexico: social sustainability, removing obstacles to sustainable growth, and effective public
governance. Within this broad framework, the CAS identifies a few priority areas for Bank involvement
in the Environment Sector, including institutional development and decentralization of environmental
management, better management of natural resources (e.g. forests, water and biodiversity), and assistance
in the design of sector policies.
Guatemala, Honduras and Belize share similar CAS goals of reducing rural poverty through improved
environmental security and better management of natural resources. Building social capital through
information networking, training and broader participation of local stakeholders in the management of
resources is identified as a complementary goal among the three countries. The Project would support
these goals by first promoting a regional vision of ecosystem sustainability and productivity. It would
support public awareness about the importance of the MBRS as a world-class resource, its importance to
the cultural and economic future of the region, as well as its role as a vital component of the biosphere.
The Project would further seek to reduce fragmentation at the national and regional levels in the
governance of the MBRS by improving regional information systems for decision-making and
harmonizing policy frameworks across the four countries in line with principles of environmental and
social sustainability.
Such policy cohesion would lay the groundwork for regional cooperation in the adoption of agreed
protocols for conservation and sustainable use--particularly in productive sectors such as tourism and
fisheries. In line with this, the Project would promote region-wide adoption of best practice in sustainable
marine tourism through disseminating codes of conduct, providing training and resources for their
application and establishing regional environmental certification systems. This, coupled with
opportunities for coastal communities to engage in small and medium enterprise and alternative
livelihood schemes linked to eco-tourism, should lead to higher incomes, sustainable economic growth
and reduction in rural povertyCAS goals in all four countries.
1 (b). GEF operational strategy/program objective addressed by the Project:
The proposed Project supports the objectives of the GEF Operational Strategy and the Operational
Program for Biodiversity for Coastal, Marine, and Freshwater Ecosystems (O.P. No. 2). It also supports a
number of Articles of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its provision for conservation of marine
biodiversity under the Jakarta Mandate. These include Article 8 (in-situ conservation), and Article 10
(sustainable use of components of biodiversity). The Project does this by promoting an ecosystem
approach to the conservation and management of a transboundary aquatic ecosystem of global
importance. It aims to facilitate regional cooperation and coordination in the design and implementation
of measures to ensure the ecological integrity and continued productivity of a Large Marine Ecosystem
(LME), which includes both World Heritage and Ramsar sites within its boundaries.
3
In addition, the Project encourages cooperation between governmental authorities and the private sector in
developing methods for sustainable uses of biological resources. It would build partnerships at the local,
national and transnational levels through support for NGOs, professional associations and cooperatives
(e.g., in the tourism and fisheries sectors) and governmental institutions (e.g., sectoral ministries, coastal
authorities and intergovernmental bodies such as the Central American Commission on Environment and
Development). At the local level, the Project would strengthen the involvement of civil society in
conservation efforts through environmental education and measures to enhance benefit sharing by local
communities. These efforts include support for training in new livelihood skills, increased capture of
resource rents, (e.g., user fees, tourist and green taxes) and co-management arrangements for protected
areas.
This Project also responds to objectives of the Integrated Land and Water Multiple Focal Area
Operational Program for International Waters (O P 9). It does so by addressing resource management
issues at the interface of land/water systems through an integrated approach that includes a broad range of
interventions. These include establishing a uniform protocol for monitoring water quality along the coast,
with special emphasis on pollution hot spots in transboundary areas; improving regional data collection to
assess productivity of commercially important stocks and status of threatened species; and harmonizing
regulations related to the harvesting and protection of these species and regulations to minimize the loss
of critical breeding and nursery habitats.
2. Main sector issues and Government strategy:
A Threat and Root Cause Analysis (TRCA) was completed during Project preparation, which revealed the
following major threats to the sustainability of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (See Annex 6):
· Coastal/island development and rapidly expanding tourism
· Inappropriate upstream land and resource use, and industrial development
· Overfishing and unregulated aquaculture development
· Uncontrolled port, shipping and navigation practices
· Climato-meteorological phenomena associated with changes in ocean currents, sea surface
temperatures, storm intensity, precipitation, and vulnerability to disease, in all probability linked to
climate change.
The cumulative impact of these combined threats--both anthropogenic and "natural"--is a growing cause
for alarm. That these threats are common to the four countries bordering the MBRS emphasizes the
transboundary nature of factors that influence habitats and resources, and the dynamic nature of the
processes (e.g., recruitment, predation, nutrient transport and disease) that determine the system's
resilience and sustainability.
Associated with these threats are underlying conditions that may be regarded as root causes or constraints
that prevent governments from adequately addressing the immediate threats to the health of the MBRS.
These include the following:
· Lack of information on the status of the MBRS and on economic, environmental and social tradeoffs
associated with various use regimes
· At the regional level, absence of system wide mechanisms or legal frameworks to manage the
ecosystem as a whole; at the sub-national and local levels, sectoral fragmentation in the management
of habitats and resources of the MBRS
· Lack of public awareness of the value of the MBRS
4
· Lack of coherent policies; inconsistency in environmental standards and in the application of existing
standards related to EIA, land use planning/zoning, water quality, polluter pays principle
· Inadequate protection of critical elements and ecological processes essential to the integrity and
continued productivity of the MBRS
· Lack of trained personnel.
Issues and Gaps
Information Gaps: Undermining management efforts in all four countries is the basic lack of information
on the status of the MBRS. Although monitoring efforts are underway in selected areas, reliable
information is required to provide a synoptic view of the system as a whole, determine the origin and
scope of common threats, and form a basis for regional cooperation in the management of a shared
resource. A prime example of this information gap exists with regard to fisheries. Inadequate information
on commercially important stocks has led to the issuing of quotas and user permits on a fragmented basis,
without regard for total system yields or allowable harvest. Intense fishing pressure by individual nations
is threatening the viability of economically important stocks like lobster and conch, once plentiful in the
waters of the MBRS. Another serious constraint is the absence of water quality data for the principal
coastal drainages of the MBRS. The production of citrus fruits and banana in the Rio Hondo watershed,
between Mexico and Belize, is thought to be a major source of non-point pollution in the Bay of
Chetumal. This, along with point sources from industry and expanding human settlements, have made
Chetumal a major pollution hot spot in the transboundary area between Mexico and Belize.
Quantification of this pollution will be essential to identifying its source and mitigating its effects.
Policy Gaps and Fragmentation: At the national level, fragmentation in coastal resource management is
manifested in the lack of an integrated approach to economic development within coastal areas (e.g.,
tourism, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure) and the failure to incorporate environmental and social costs
into economic decision-making. This is particularly true in the tourism industry, manifested by rapid and
chaotic growth along the corridor from Cancun to Chetumal in Quintana Roo, in the Bay Islands of
Honduras, and on many of the cays along the Belize Barrier Reef (Map 1). Examples include conversion
of coastal habitat for large tourist installations, dredging of channels and bays for the expanding cruise
ship industry, and inadequate waste management facilities in tourist centers and ports. The latter
increases the stress on already over-extended municipal services for wastewater and sanitation. Tourism
has also contributed to the local demise of conch, lobster and finfish populations. Of special concern is
the overexploitation of breeding aggregations of Nassau Grouper, an important predator on the reef. Once
virtually unknown, these aggregation sites have become increasingly vulnerable to harvesting by artisanal
fishers, leading to significant changes in biological community structure and ecology of reefs within the
system. Lack of information on sources and sites of development impacts downstream contributes to the
absence of uniform standards with regard to effluent and receiving water quality, lack of rigor and
consistency in the application of environmental impact assessment to coastal development projects, and in
the permitting and enforcement regime governing resource harvests. This had led to distortions in the
distribution of MBRS benefits and costs, thereby eliminating disincentives for unsustainable use.
Lack of Public Awareness: Contributing to the fragmented approach to coastal resource management and
to unsustainable use practices is the lack of public awareness of the intrinsic value of the MBRS and of
the costs of inadequate protection in terms of loss of goods and services it provides. Creating this
awareness will be essential to building and maintaining a constituency of support for national and
regional level actions required to ensure the sustainability of the MBRS.
Inadequate Protection of Marine Biodiversity: Despite efforts by the four countries to expand the system
of marine reserves within their national waters, protection of the key habitats and biological communities
5
that comprise the MBRS and of the processes that ensure its integrity and productivity -- and contribute to
its resilience -- is still inadequate. Knowledge of system boundaries, of the locations and linkages
between source reefs and sink reefs (often in different countries) and the factors that affect them, is
limited. Coordination between countries in the management of adjacent or transboundary habitats is ad-
hoc or non-existent. Finally, the availability of trained personnel in coral reef monitoring and in the
essential tools of marine protected area management is uneven, hindering coordination across countries
and severely limiting management effectiveness within several MBRS countries.
Governments' strategy
Recognizing, on the one hand, the importance of the MBRS to the economy of the region and to the
natural and cultural heritage of its people, and the increasing threats to its overall health on the other, the
leaders of the four countries bordering the MBRS convened in Tulum, Mexico in June 1997 to pledge
their commitment to protecting this outstanding resource. The Tulum Declaration called on the four
littoral states of the MBRS and its partners in the region to join in developing an Action Plan for its
Conservation and Sustainable Use. The Central American Commission on Environment and
Development (known hereafter by its Spanish initials, CCAD), comprised of the Ministers of
Environment of the seven Central American countries and Mexico (as an observer), approached the GEF
through the World Bank to request support for the design of the Plan and a strategy for its
implementation. With PDF Block A and Block B funds from the GEF and technical support from the
World Bank, IUCN, and WWF, CCAD convened a multi-stakeholder workshop and subsequent working
groups of scientists, managers, governmental and non-governmental representatives from the four
participating countries to draft an Action Plan for management of the MBRS.
The Action Plan, which provides the basis for a comprehensive, 15-year program of regional and national
level activities aimed at safeguarding the integrity and productivity of the MBRS, was adopted in June
1999. Regional activities outlined in the Action Plan focus on four thematic areas: (1) Research and
Monitoring, (2) Legislation, (3) Capacity Building, and (4) Regional Coordination. Specific regional
activities include the establishment of a regional system of Marine Protected Areas which ensures the
representativeness of the MBRS ecosystems and the overall functionality of the barrier reef system; the
design and implementation of a regional program to monitor MBRS health; the mapping of coastal
environments using GIS; monitoring of MBRS `indicator species' such as the Nassau Grouper; the
exploration of more sustainable alternatives to fishing; design and establishment of a regional database on
MBRS resources and dissemination of information; development of a tourism Certification Program for
the MBRS region; the establishment of bi-national and tri-national commissions to facilitate policy
dialogue, harmonization of legislation and the management of natural resources in trans-border areas;
training for personnel and infrastructural support to institutions along the MBRS; development of a
communication strategy; and stimulation of community participation in issues related to the management
of MBRS resources.
At the national level, activities are also dispersed across four thematic areas: (1) Monitoring and
Research, (2) Sustainable Use, (3) Capacity Building of National Institutions, and (4) Inter-sectoral
Coordination. National activities outlined in the Plan are not the same in all MBRS countries, depending
on the need and capacities within each country in the context of a particular area. Specific national
activities include the development of a bio-physical and socio-economic inventory of MBRS resources;
assessment of the dependence of tourism and fisheries on MBRS resources; designation of new Marine
Protected Areas to increase ecosystem representation; creation of legal instruments to facilitate the co-
management of Marine Protected Areas; implementation of actions to protect key species such as
manatees, turtles and crocodiles; creation of the legal and institutional framework to ensure the
sustainable management of fisheries and tourism, including enforcement mechanisms for existing laws;
identification, control and monitoring of sources of pollution of the MBRS, including liquid and solid
6
waste; implementation of international Conventions relating to biodiversity and sustainable use of natural
resources; and the design and implementation of pilot projects in Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
To promote these activities and facilitate coordination in the implementation of regional elements of the
Action Plan, National Barrier Reef Committees were established in each country.
It is the regional aspects of this plan that form the basis of the current proposal to the GEF. The four
countries' commitment to jointly develop an Action Plan for management of the MBRS and their
willingness to collaborate in addressing regional threats and common problems, signal a shift in attitude
toward a collective strategy to safeguard the sustainability of this shared public good.
3. Sector issues to be addressed by the Project and strategic choices:
In light of this commitment, and the existing gap in mechanisms and resources to promote such regional
cooperation, the Project will focus on transboundary threats to the MBRS and the coordinated actions
required to address these. A review of the key sector issues and underlying constraints suggested strategic
investments in the following areas:
· Establishment and consolidation of a system of Marine Protected Areas that is representative of the
biological diversity of the MBRS and which safeguards the processes and conditions required to
maintain ecological linkages between components of the MBRS and their continued productivity.
· Training and capacity building in agreed protocols for marine ecosystem monitoring and management,
and dissemination of information to inform decision-making
· Steps towards the harmonization of policies and legislation governing the use of shared coastal and
marine resources
·
Supporting these actions requires parallel investments in environmental education and public awareness,
and in the institutional arrangements to ensure regional coordination and sustainability in their
implementation.
The GEF Project will, therefore, assist the four countries bordering the MBRS to: (i) strengthen existing
MPAs and establish new protected areas in transboundary locations; (ii) develop and implement a
standardized regional monitoring and environmental information system for the MBRS; (iii) promote
measures to reduce non-sustainable patterns of resource use in the MBRS, focusing initially on the
fisheries and tourism sectors; (iv) increase local and national capacity for environmental management
through education, information sharing and training; and (v) strengthen and coordinate national policies,
regulations, and institutional arrangements for marine ecosystem conservation and sustainable use.
In light of the long-term nature of the goals and objectives implied in the MBRS Action Plan and
supported under this project, a second strategic choice was made to design the initiative within the context
of a long-term regional program, involving a range of potential partners and stakeholders in a phased
approach. This project, therefore, represents Phase 1 of a proposed 15-year Program, requiring a long-
term commitment on the part of the countries, the donor community, and the many partner institutions
currently involved in the region, to achieve the objective of the MBRS Action Plan.
C: Project Description Summary (See Annex 2)
The proposed GEF initiative responds to the countries' expressed need for a more holistic approach to
managing a shared coastal ecosystem. The Project will create an enabling environment for harmonization
of relevant policies and standards governing the use of shared resources. It will disseminate knowledge
about the status and value of the MBRS and ensure adequate technical skills across the four countries to
7
support implementation of agreed conservation and management interventions. These regional measures
would also be in line with national commitments of the four countries to international Conventions such
as the Cartagena Convention and its protocols (SPAW and LBSP), MARPOL, the FAO Code of Conduct
for Responsible Fisheries and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
1. Project components
Component 1. Marine Protected Areas ($5.87 million)
Sub-component A. Planning, Management, and Monitoring of Marine Protected Areas (MPA)
Sub-component B. Institutional Strengthening
Many MPAs in the MBRS exist only on paper and have little or no on-site management. Moreover, a
significant number of MPAs lack up-to-date Master and Operational plans and the associated basic
infrastructure and equipment needed for their implementation. Even where management plans are in
place, there are rarely the monitoring programs needed to detect changes in biodiversity status and other
indicators of the effectiveness of protected area management. Also there is almost a universal absence of
sound financial strategies and fundamental skills required of staff to carry out their core responsibilities.
In some countries in the MBRS, given the lack of capacity and trained personnel, public authorities have
delegated primary responsibility for MPA management to NGOs .
Support under this component will include investments geared toward immediate improvements in MPA
protection and management while increasing the probability of achieving long-term sustainability of
management efforts. Specific activities include:
· Establishment of MPA Data Baselines and Monitoring Programs
· Development of Management Plans for MPAs
· Basic Equipment and Infrastructure for MPA Plan Implementation
· Transboundary Cooperation in Policy, Protection, and Management of MPAs.
Support will be limited to a total of fifteen MPAs). Criteria for MPA selection were based on the
significance of the protected area in contributing to MBRS ecosystem characteristics, diversity and
processes (See Annex 2 for a discussion and a map of these sites). The majority of the MPAs (9) are
located in the two transboundary areas of the MBRS, Bay of Honduras and Gulf of Honduras. In the
transboundary areas themselves, there are several MPAs that are separated by national boundaries and
managed as separate units. Two of these bi-national MPA complexes, (Xcalak/Bacalar Chico, and
Sarstoon-Temash/Sarstun) situated in the Mexico-Belize and Belize-Guatemala transboundary areas
respectively, will be assisted through the Project with the additional objective of promoting a bi-national
approach to their management. These MPAs will serve as regional models for replication and expansion
to other protected areas during the Program's future phases. WWF's ecoregional approach will be used to
determine sub-system boundaries, conduct resource inventories and establish priorities for MPA
management.
To address the substantial institution building needs in MPA management, regional training courses and
workshops for protected area directors, technical staff, rangers, and key collaborators from local and
national government agencies, collaborating NGOs, and local communities, will be supported under a
second sub component for institutional strengthening. This sub-component will also provide support for
a basic standardized training library to all MPA headquarters and ranger stations throughout the MBRS
region (approximately fifty offices). This would facilitate continual professional improvement for MPA
field staff, who often lack even minimal access to training manuals, natural history publications, and other
books on themes relevant to MPA management programs.
8
Component 2. Regional Environmental Information System ($5.25 million)
Sub-component A. Establishment of a Synoptic MBRS Monitoring Program
Sub-component B. Creation and Implementation of a Distributed, Web-based EIS
A principal objective of the component is to develop a reliable base of data that can be used to support
more informed management decisions. This will include the establishment of a regional and issue-specific
monitoring program that will generate information on the region's oceanographic current regime and its
influence on the status and processes of MBRS reefs and other critical ecosystems. Data will be collected
on reproduction, larval dispersal, and recruitment of corals, fish, and other important reef components to
further our understanding of ecological linkages between reefs and other marine environments, and
processes which influence reef integrity. Support for expanding this research is currently being sought
from the Government of Canada and the EU, and is expected to be forthcoming.
The establishment of a regional environmental information system (EIS) will provide an essential tool to
organize and manage data in support of improved decision-making. In the Program's initial phase, the
objective of the EIS component will be to provide the basic framework to guide the collection,
processing, distribution and utilization of data. Specifically, the component will assist in the design and
implementation of a bi-lingual EIS whose architecture will allow broad access to policy makers,
technicians, and the public at large. Significant collaboration has been achieved with WWF, the ICZM
Authority in Belize, Amigos de Sian Ka'an, Mexico and the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of
Marine and Atmospheric Studies, in consolidating data into a regional GIS for production of digitized
maps and overall contribution to the proposed regional EIS. This collaboration will continue during
Project implementation.
Component 3. Promoting Sustainable Use of the MBRS ($1.88 million)
Sub-component A. Promotion of Sustainable Fisheries Management
Sub-component B. Facilitation of Sustainable Coastal and Marine Tourism
There is growing evidence that non-sustainable resource use practices in aggregate are beginning to affect
the overall health of the MBRS. The objective of this component is to support the introduction of new
policy frameworks and management tools to increase institutional capacity, disseminate key information
and create the necessary incentives for stakeholders to shift toward patterns of sustainable use of MBRS
resources. This component will initially focus on the two most significantly important and potentially
harmful economic sectors dependent on the MBRS, fishing and tourism.
The fisheries sub-component will address some of the causes of over-fishing by supporting: (i)
monitoring and management of spawning aggregation sites, (ii) improved institutional capacity in
sustainable fisheries management, and (iii) promotion of alternative livelihood systems. The last includes
training fishermen in kayaking, catch and release fly-fishing, SCUBA and recreational water sports and
tour guide operations associated with Marine Protected Areas and other tourist destinations (see below).
The objective of the tourism sub-component is to formulate and facilitate the application of policy
guidelines and best practice models for sustainable coastal and marine tourism in the four countries of the
MBRS. Adoption of industry codes of conduct may then lead to regionally recognized certification
schemes for tourist operations and eventually entire destinations within the MBRS. Activities under this
sub-component include: Regional Policy Dialogue and Cooperative Action Forum; Catalogue of
Exemplary Practices;1 a Regional Environmental Certification Program; and a Marine Tourism
Exemplary Practices Study Tour.
1 "Exemplary" refers to those practices that have been shown to produce superior results; elected by a systematic
process; and judged as exemplary, good, or successfully demonstrated. The practices then need to be adapted to fit a
particular organization and are practiced by exemplary operators.
9
Component 4. Public Awareness and Environmental Education ($2.24 million)
Sub-component A. Development of an Environmental Awareness Campaign
Sub-component B. Formal and Informal Education
A critical element in developing the political will and policies required to manage the MBRS sustainably
will be building the necessary public support to catalyze change. The objective of this component is to
create a constituency for conservation of the MBRS in the region. This will be done by increasing
awareness of the value of the MBRS and fostering an understanding among the general public of the
impacts of development on this world-class resource. Through information networking and discussion
fora, it will seek to introduce environmental and social sustainability criteria into decision-making.
Activities under this component include establishment of an MBRS database and information
clearinghouse (linked to Components 2 and 3), production and dissemination of education materials, and
regional workshops and conferences for professionals in the industrial and tourism sectors that directly
affect MBRS resources. It will also provide training for community leaders who exert strong influence on
MBRS stakeholders.
Regional Coordination and Project Management ($2.06 million)
The MBRS Program will be coordinated under an organizational framework that balances regional and
national representation across the four participating countries. At the policy level, the Program will be
coordinated by the MBRS Regional Steering Committee (RSC), made up of representatives from
CCAD and the participating National Barrier Reef Committees. The RSC will provide overall policy
guidance on objectives of the Program, and coordinate the participation of national, regional, and
international government and NGO counterpart organizations in its implementation. The RSC will liaise
with other potential partners within and outside the region to attract additional co-financing for the
program over the long term. It will review and approve annual work plans and resolve coordination
issues that may arise between countries. The RSC will be supported by a Technical Advisory
Committee (TAC) composed of internationally recognized experts in the fields relevant to MBRS
Program objectives. The TAC will be responsible for advising the RSC on technical matters which may
arise during the implementation of the Program. Members will provide technical input for the design and
review of annual work programs and serve as information gateways to state of the art management, good
practice, and professional networks in the areas of MPA management, sustainable coastal tourism,
regional fisheries management, coral reef ecosystem monitoring and EIS, and environmental education
and outreach. The Technical Advisory Committee will also serve as an "honest-broker" to the RSC with
respect to resolution of technical issues under the Project that may be particularly contentious. The TAC
will meet bi-annually on a schedule designed to overlap with RSC meetings to provide timely input to
their deliberations. A Program Coordination Unit (PCU) will be responsible for direct implementation
of the Program, with technical support provided by Regional Technical Working Groups (TWG) made
up of appropriately selected representatives from the National Barrier Reef Committees and supporting
local institutions. These will be complemented by regional/international consultants on an "as-needed"
basis.
Project Component
Cost Incl.
% of
GEF
% of GEF-
WWF
Contingencies
Total Financing
financing
Parallel
(US$M)
(US$M)
Co-finance.
Marine Protected Areas
5.87
34
2.5
25
[1.0]
Regional Environmental Information System
5.25
30
3.0
30
[0.75]
Promoting Sustainable Use
1.88
11
1.5
15
[0.25]
Public Awareness & Environmental
2.24
13
1.3
13
[0.75]
Education
Regional Coordination/Project Management
2.06
12
1.8
18
[0.25]
Total
17.30
100
10.1
100
[$3.0]*
*Allocation of co-financing by component to be finalized prior to CEO endorsement
10
2. Key policy and institutional reforms supported by the Project:
The key policy reforms promoted by the Project will be agreement on and initiation of steps toward
regional harmonization of the policy and regulatory framework surrounding the use of shared resources of
the MBRS and the protection of vital elements and processes essential to its health and productivity.
These steps include institutional arrangements (such as creation of regional fora for technical and policy
dialogue, dispute resolution, local governance initiatives), an informed public and political constituency,
regional codes of conduct, and draft regulations in support of harmonized policies and legislation related
to:
· Establishment, management and enforcement of Marine Protected Areas
· Sustainable harvesting of commercially valuable species of shellfish and finfish and protection of
threatened and endangered species, (e.g., sea turtles, manatees, black coral)
· Consistency in scope and application of environmental impact assessment; land use planning and
zoning in coastal areas, particularly as they relate to tourism
· Adoption of best practice and a regional environmental certification system for the tourist industry
· Standards and maintenance of coastal water quality and a region wide reporting system.
A policy working group will support reforms in these key areas by assisting the regional technical groups
to formulate policy recommendations related to these issues and ensuring that these are raised through
CCAD for consideration at the highest levels of decision-making.
Institutional reforms supported by the Project include creation of a mechanism for regional dialogue and
coordination in the management and monitoring of the MBRS as a shared, transboundary public good; the
establishment and maintenance of multi-stakeholder coral reef committees in each country to promote
integrated sectoral planning and management of the barrier reef; and a formal process of consultation and
ownership in the design and implementation of a long-term program to conserve the MBRS. These
reforms will help build institutional capacity in the region and enhance the sustainability of efforts to
protect and manage the marine elements of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.
3. Benefits and target population:
Project benefits mainly revolve around conservation outcomes and opportunities for sustainable use of the
MBRS and its resources. These are the result of a system-wide approach to coastal and marine resource
management that enhances regional cooperation, uniform and high performance standards and
sustainability of outcomes. The Project's transboundary focus fills a gap created by historically national
and sector specific management interventions. Beneficiaries of the Project include:
· The region and the global environment, through protection of important biodiversity and other vital
environmental goods and services.
· The four countries bordering the MBRS (e.g., Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala), which may
use environmental diplomacy to advance regional economic integration objectives under the Central
American System of Integration (Sistema de Integracion Centroamericano (SICA), of which CCAD is
a part.
· Local populations currently dependent on the resources of the MBRS, or those whose livelihoods
could be improved through access to new opportunities for sustainable enterprises based on the
MBRS. These include indigenous groups, such as Garifuna communities along the coasts of Belize,
Honduras and Guatemala; Mayan communities in frontier areas between southern Belize and
Guatemala; and Miskito communities along the southernmost margins of the MBRS; and Ladino
populations who have moved in more recently to coastal areas and tourism destinations in search of
11
employment, who may be in conflict with more traditional MBRS resource users. While traditional
use has focused primarily on fishing and coastal agriculture, many of the communities have expressed
interest in becoming involved in tourism-either cultural or nature-based in association with Marine
Protected Areas.
· Fishing cooperatives (such as the Belize Fishermen Cooperative Association, the National Fishermen
Cooperative, the Placencia Cooperative, and Associacion de Pescadores de Manabique), which would
benefit from improved information on resource states and non-destructive fishing methods, and
consistency in the timing and enforcement of closed seasons and no-take reserves in transboundary
areas of the MBRS.
· Nongovernmental organizations (such as TIDES, Belize Audubon Society, Green Reef, BELPO,
Fundacion Mario Dary, FUNDAECO, Honduras Coral Reef Fund, PROLANSATE, BICA, Amigos
de Sian Ka'an, ECOSUR as recipients of equipment, information and training, etc.); the scientific
community, which will benefit from the information within the EIS; etc.
· Private sector, including the tourism industry (through study tours in best practice, a regional
environmental certification program, discussion fora with industry counterparts in the region),
fisheries and cruise ship industries, etc.
· Donor community, through strategic programming of resources and improved coordination in
project/program implementation to achieve greater regional impacts.
· Regional institutions, like CCAD, which will be strengthened through increased synergy among
projects implemented under the MBC umbrella, decentralized project coordination units, and
improved information access and outreach.
Specific Project benefits include the following:
· Improvements in MPA networks, monitoring and management with emphasis on sustainability of
efforts (includes basic equipment and infrastructure to implement management plans)
· Enhanced capacity in the region to monitor health of the MBRS and make information available to
decision-makers/policy-makers and to stakeholders at the local level
· Improved livelihoods for local communities through better environmental management and
sustainable income generation
· A regional constituency for conservation of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System as part of the
MBC
· Mechanisms for sustained regional cooperation in managing the MBRS at the policy, information and
technical levels
· Improvements in the overall health of the MBRS environment, as measured through proxies like
water quality, biological community stability, biological productivity, local recovery from periodic
disturbances, etc.).
·
4. Institutional and implementation arrangements: (See Annex 2 for a more detailed discussion of these
arrangements)
CCAD will be the implementing agency for the MBRS Program and will oversee execution by the
Program Coordination Unit of the five year Project proposed during Phase 1 (see Figure 1). At the policy
level, the Program will be coordinated by the MBRS Regional Steering Committee (RSC) made up of
representatives of CCAD and each of the existing National Barrier Reef Committees in the four MBRS
countries; ex-officio members will include those representing donor organizations and partner institutions
working on related issues in the region. The RSC will be supported by a Technical Advisory Committee
(TAC) composed of internationally recognized experts in the technical areas of project assistance. A
12
regional Program Coordination Unit (PCU) based in Belize will be responsible for direct implementation
of the five year Project during the Program's first phase.
Given the perspective of the Action Plan's 15-year implementation period, the ultimate objective is to
transform the PCU into a technical center of excellence for coastal and marine resources management in
the region, under the mantle of CCAD. Institutional strengthening will be achieved over time, through the
hiring of skilled technical specialists to coordinate the program in its various phases, and through
networking with research institutions and other organizations working with state of the art methods for
coral reef ecosystem management. During the project's first phase, technical support will be provided to
the PCU by Regional Technical Work Groups (TWG) made up of appropriately selected representatives
from the National Barrier Reef Committees complemented by regional/international consultants on an
"as-needed" basis.2 The TWGs will be supported by a policy working group (see below under Project
Rationale). Program activities under each of the four proposed components: Marine Protected Areas;
Regional Environmental Information System (EIS); Promotion of Sustainable Use of the MBRS; and
Public Awareness and Environmental Education, will be executed by a mix of local and regional entities.
D: Project Rationale
1. Justification for Project design and alternatives considered and reasons for rejection:
The MBRS Program objectives are ambitious, and institutionally complex. In light of this and the longer-
term time frames required to achieve goals related to environmental quality and policy reform, a
gradualist approach was incorporated into Project design. The time frame was shifted from an initial 5
year Project to a proposed 15 year Program. The current Project represents the first phase of a 3-phase
Program whose design will be ongoing and will depend in part on the results of the initial 5 year effort.
This incremental approach provides the basis for a sustained effort with the opportunity to build and
expand on successful activities initiated in the first phase, leading to a scaling up of Project scope and
impact over the life of the Program.
Achieving institutional change is a long-term proposition, particularly when it entails strengthening and
harmonizing national policies, regulations, and institutional arrangements over four countries. During the
Program's initial phase, institutional and policy objectives will be identified by technical working groups
in each thematic area with the help of a policy working group composed of experts in environmental law
and natural resources management policy from the region. The role of the policy working group will be to
assist the TWGs in the identification of priority policy objectives and actions required to harmonize
national regulatory framework governing the use of the MBRS with agreed regional frameworks, e.g., for
fisheries, water quality, coastal tourism development, EIA and establishment of protected areas. The
policy working group will liaise closely with CCAD and its legal office to ensure that policy objectives
under this phase of the Project are raised to the highest levels for consideration within the System for
Central American Integration (SICA). Performance benchmarks to indicate progress toward policy
harmonization are being prepared and will be incorporated into the Project Document prior to CEO
endorsement. These, along with the results achieved, will pave the way toward more ambitious goals
which may include amending or drafting new legislation, establishment of joint enforcement and
monitoring mechanisms, and regional quotas for harvesting migrating stocks. These and other reforms are
likely to be necessary to achieve regional harmonization in sectoral and economy-wide policies affecting
the sustainability of the MBRS. These medium-to-long term policy objectives would form the basis for
the design of subsequent phases of the Program.
A second consideration was geographic focus. An early proposal by other coral reef countries in the
region to be included in the Project was rejected because of the difficulty in coordinating activities over
2 Costs of consultants have been budgeted for under the respective components.
13
such a wide area. The decision to include only Mexico, Belize, Honduras and Guatemala in this initial
phase was a result of the high level of political commitment manifested in the Tulum Declaration and
subsequent agreements among the four countries, and their common stake in a shared resource.
Furthermore, because it was not deemed possible to implement activities equally across an area as large
as the MBRS, a phasing of Project focal areas was also adopted:
· In the first phase, many of the field-based interventions are concentrated in the MBRS's two
transboundary areas: Chetumal Bay to the north (involving Mexico and Belize) and Gulf of Honduras
to the South (where the frontier areas between Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras overlap). This is also
consistent with the regional orientation of Phase 1, in which the incremental (or supra-national)
aspects of marine ecosystem conservation and management are being supported.
· The geographic scope of the Program may be expanded in subsequent phases to include source reefs
for recruiting larvae outside the MBRS--as far as Brazil, in the case of lobster and other highly
dispersing species. Parallel initiatives recently underway or planned, e.g., in San Andres, Colombia
under Coralina, and in Nicaragua and other part of Central America, may be linked to achieve critical
mass and economies of scale in, for instance, MPA training and environmental education.
The environmental information system, sustainable use, and MPA components of the Project have been
designed incrementally, with the intent of expanding these in subsequent phases of the Program. Support
for pilot activities in MPA monitoring, tourism and alternative livelihoods has been designed to test the
feasibility of specific enterprises and policies. This can be scaled up during later years of the Program to
launch successful initiatives throughout the MBRS and other parts of the MBC.
Finally, although maritime pollution and habitat degradation related to shipping (including impacts from
cruise ships) and inadequate port reception facilities was identified as a significant transboundary threat,
the Project will not address these issues. These are currently being addressed by other donors, such as
WWF and USAID, and will form the basis for a complementary regional project, currently under
preparation in the Gulf of Honduras, to be executed by the IDB with GEF support.
14
2. Major related Projects financed by the Bank and/or other development agencies (completed, ongoing
and planned):
Sector issue
Project
Project
Latest Supervision (Form 590)
Cycle
Ratings
(Bank-financed Projects only)
Bank-
Implementation
Development
Financed
Progress (IP)
Objective
(DO)
Honduras Sustainable Coastal Tourism
Preparation
Project (World Bank/IDA; Honduras
Institute of Tourism)
Biodiversity in Priority Areas Project (World
Supervision
S
S (GO)
Bank/UNDP/GEF/Gov. of Honduras)
Social Investment Fund (Gov. of
Honduras/World Bank)
Honduras Sustainable Coastal Tourism
Supervision
S
S
Project (LIL)
CCAD MBC Imp. Communications Strategy
(IDF regional)
Costa Rica Biodiversity
Supervision
HS
HS
Costa Rica Ecomarkets
Approved
May, 2000
National Environmental Management Project Preparation
Nicaragua Atlantic Biodiversity Corridor
Supervision
S
HS (GO)
Panama Mesoamerican Biological Corridor
Supervision
S
S (GO)
Other
Regional Environmental Project for Central
development
America (Coastal Resources Management
agencies
component)
PROARCA-COSTAS (Co-financed between
USAID and The Nature Conservancy -TNC,
WWF, University of Rhode Island/Coastal
Resources Center -URI/CRC)
Conservation of the Mesoamerican
Caribbean Reef Ecoregion (WWF)
Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity
Program (CARICOMP)
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network
(GCRMN) (Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission/Subcomission
for the Caribbean)
Quintana Roo Integrated Coastal Zone
Management Project (Amigos de Sian Ka'an,
University of Quintana Roo; USAID)
Conservation of the Barrier Reef Complex of
Belize (Coastal Zone Management Authority
and Institute, UNDP/GEF)
Trinational Alliance for Conservation of the
Gulf of Honduras (PROARCA/COSTAS)
Bay Islands Natural Resources Management
Project (Honduran Institute of Tourism, IDB)
Secondary Cities Project (Gov. of
Honduras/IADB)
Laughing Bird Caye National Park (GEF)
Slackchwe Habitat Enhancement Project
(GEF)
15
IP/DO Ratings: HS (Highly Satisfactory), S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), HU (Highly Unsatisfactory)
Of direct importance to the current MBRS program are several regional and national initiatives dealing
with the MBRS and with natural resources management in the western Caribbean (a comprehensive list of
regional projects is listed in Annex 5, Matrix 3). Activities totaling $40 million related to coastal and
marine resources management are currently ongoing in the region, and others are in preparation. Still
others, such as the regional UNDP/GEF project for consolidation of the Mesoamerican Biological
Corridor being implemented by CCAD, and the complementary suite of national MBC projects under
implementation with GEF, Bank, UNDP and UNEP support, focus on terrestrial biodiversity
conservation, but with potential downstream linkages to coastal and offshore processes. CCAD's role as
implementing agency for both the terrestrial and marine regional programs to consolidate the
Mesoamerican Biological Corridor will ensure in-house coordination between the two, realize efficiencies
in project implementation and reporting/outreach, and maximize policy objectives under the two
programs where they are mutually reinforcing.
At the regional level, the coastal resources management component of the regional environmental project
for Central America, PROARCA-COSTAS, is co-financed by USAID with matching funds provided by
international NGOs: The Nature Conservancy (TNC), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the
University of Rhode Island/Coastal Resources Center (URI/CRC). The Project supports capacity building
and empowerment of local communities in the development of strategies for the sustainable use of coastal
resources focusing on pilot areas in Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. WWF's regional initiative,
Conservation of the Mesoamerican Caribbean Reef Ecoregion, is being designed in coordination with the
GEF MBRS Project, and is intimately linked to the Phase 1 Project. It focuses on biological assessment of
the MBRS region, mapping and determining priority interventions to address root causes of resource
degradation from a biodiversity conservation perspective.
There are numerous ongoing international and regional programs providing technical assistance in coastal
resources assessment, monitoring and capacity building. These include the Caribbean Coastal Marine
Productivity Program (CARICOMP) and the UNEP-coordinated Caribbean Environment Program (CEP).
Also, the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), operating through its Caribbean sub-node,
is supported by various international and regional organizations with local coral reef monitoring carried
out with government and NGO staffs in all four MBRS countries. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission/Subcommission for the Caribbean is coordinating support to countries in the wider
Caribbean region to ratify and adopt actions under the protocols of the Cartagena Convention; it supports
scientific research, training and monitoring of oceanographic, fisheries and biological diversity
parameters. There are also various projects under preparation with financing from, inter alia, the GEF,
IDB, UNDP, GTZ, USAID, DANIDA, and other bi- and multilaterals in support of conservation of
coastal and marine resources. There is currently a GEF Block B proposal being prepared by the IDB, with
the Bank as implementing agency, to address maritime pollution and other port related environmental
issues in the Gulf of Honduras. Port and ship based pollution were identified as major threats to the
MBRS in the Threat and Root Cause Analysis.
At the national level, several projects stand out due to their direct relevance to the MBRS. Among these,
the Conservation of the Barrier Reef Complex of Belize (Coastal Zone Management Authority and
Institute, UNDP/GEF) has provided a strong foundation for Integrated Coastal Zone Management in
Belize, an essential component of any long-term strategy to conserve the Belize Barrier Reef, a major
constituent of the MBRS. The WB/GEF Regional Project builds on the national project as a critical
baseline for addressing transboundary issues related to the sustainability of the MBRS on Belize's
northern and southern frontiers. These include the identification and monitoring of non-point source
pollution from the Rio Hondo into the Bay of Chetumal and similar run-off and water quality issues in the
16
Gulf of Honduras in the trinational border between Belize, Guatemala and Honduras--issues that the
national project cannot address in isolation.
The regional project also provides support for the establishment of bi and tri national protected areas in
these transboundary areas, building on the existing national MPAs in Belize, to increase capacity for
management of upstream/downstream impacts and ecological connectivity between adjacent elements of
the same larger ecosystems. Bi and tri-national MPA Working groups will be established in these areas to
ensure coordination in the development and implementation of strategic management plans that are
consistent with principles of transboundary management and are harmonized in terms of regulations and
enforcement. Strategic support for protected area management planning of MPAs located outside the
transboundary areas in Belize will target those MPAs that do not have long-term strategic management
plans or operational plans. MPA management training and TA in coral reef monitoring will be provided
on a regional basis to countries in the MBRS according to assessed needs. Similarly, the regional Coral
Reef Monitoring and EIS to be established under the MBRS Project will build on existing data bases,
mapping and GIS capacity that currently exist within Belize, as determined through extensive analysis
carried out during project preparation.
Coordination with UNDP and synergies between the national and regional initiatives will be ensured by
close technical cooperation between the implementing agencies and joint representation on Project
Advisory Committees. This is further reinforced by virtue of the Director of the Executing Agency (the
ICZM Authority) for the UNDP/GEF Project also serving as Belize's National Coordinator of the MBRS
GEF Regional Project. Although still under discussion, it is likely that the PCU for the WB/GEF MBRS
project and PIU for the UNDP/GEF Project will be housed in the same building in Belize City.
Another important national initiative involves the southern Quintana Roo Integrated Coastal Zone
Management Project (Amigos de Sian Ka'an, University of Quintana Roo, USAID). This Project has
resulted recently in the successful designation of Xcalak Marine Park in the northern transboundary area
between the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico and northern Belize. This is one of the 15 MPAs that will be
strengthened under the GEF MBRS Project with the design of protected area management plans and
training.
Other initiatives contributing to implementation of the MBRS Action Plan include the Trinational
Alliance for Conservation of the Gulf of Honduras (currently developing new project initiatives)
supported by PROARCA/COSTAS, and several small projects related to protected area (PA)
management of both coastal and near-coastal PAs, supported by local and international NGOs, private
entities, national and state governments, bilaterals and IFIs. Two projects in Honduras, the Bay Islands
Natural Resources Management Project, a $24 million project to protect the terrestrial and marine
environment of the Bays Islands, being implemented by the Honduran Institute of Tourism (IHT) with
financing from IDB, and the Honduras Sustainable Coastal Tourism Project (a World Bank/IDA financed
LIL being prepared in parallel with the MBRS GEF project), are co-financing activities related to marine
protected area management and tourism in this portion of the MBRS.
A major challenge for countries and partners in the region will be to organize these and future efforts into
a comprehensive framework that supports implementation of the Action Plan for Conservation and
Sustainable Use of the MBRS. The Threat and Root Cause Analysis prepared under this Project provides
a useful reference point and tool for such an approach. As discussed under the implementation
arrangements, ex-officio members from the international and NGO communities, and possibly the private
sector will be elected to the MBRS Steering Committee to liaise with other donors and to secure and
consolidate investments in the MBRS that address priority needs and resource gaps over the course of the
15 year Program.
17
3. Lessons learned and reflected in proposed Project design:
Experience with regional seas programs elsewhere has taught that creating a common stake in the future
of a shared resource and a sense of ownership in the management process is essential to the sustainability
of any collaborative effort. Gaining the commitment of stakeholders to regional cooperation to solve
system-wide, transboundary issues requires consultation and consensus and a reaffirmation of the benefits
of regionalism vs. a more fragmented, nationalist approach. This in turn requires public awareness and
dialogue to create a strong constituency for the harmonization of policies and enforcement of legislation
that will sustain such a regional approach. Aligned with this must be adequate resources to absorb the
incremental costs of conservation and economic tradeoffs in the interests of the regional, public good. The
current Project has been designed with significant consultation at the policy and technical levels. An
ongoing social assessment will help ensure ownership at the local level for actions that will generate
conservation and socio-economic benefits to local communities. Continuous policy dialogue will be an
important element of the regional Project and program. Implementation of Phase 1 by CCAD will
promote cross-country dialogue on MBRS issues of regional importance, and help elevate policy concerns
to the highest political levels. CCAD's implementation of the complementary regional MBC project with
assistance from the GEF and UNDP will promote integration between terrestrial and coastal/marine
objectives to safeguard the MBC, and harmonization of sectoral policies (e.g., in agriculture, water,
tourism and infrastructure) among the countries concerned to support these objectives.
Another important lesson learned from natural resource and environmental projects around the world is
that these are necessarily long-term efforts, requiring sustained commitments of political will and
resources. This is even truer of regional initiatives, whose scope and implementation are more complex
and thus require more time to achieve stated goals. Bearing this in mind, the current Project has been
designed as part of a 15 year Program. A phased approach will allow for steady progress toward realistic
objectives in the near to medium term, building toward achievement of program goals in the longer term.
A commitment in principle to the longer-term goals and the resources required to achieve them, based on
interim performance and outcomes, should create the incentives for success at each stage. This in turn
should attract more resources from partners and other potential donors, and a better integration of
investments in the region, reinforcing the success of the long-term effort.
4. Indications of borrower commitment and ownership:
The program aims to build on the foundation established in June 1997, through the Tulum Declaration, in
which the Presidents of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras and the Prime Minister of Belize publicly
affirmed the global biological, economic and cultural importance of this shared resource to their nations'
future. At the same time, they acknowledged serious threats to the sustainability of this unique system,
and the urgent need to initiate actions to counteract them. The four leaders committed themselves to
initiate a process of active collaboration in the preparation and implementation of an Action Plan for
Conservation of the MBRS.
The Plan was endorsed by the four countries in June 1999, and GEF PDF support for the preparation of a
program to implement regional elements of the Action Plan was successfully leveraged at a ratio of nearly
3:1. Reaffirmation of the Action Plan and commitment to the Tulum Declaration was witnessed at two
recent ministerial level events that took place in March and April 2000. Both were held in Tulum, to
commemorate the initial event: the Gift to the Earth ceremony sponsored by WWF, in which the four
countries pledged their support to protect the MBRS, and the third MBRS regional consultation to review
Project preparation under the current Bank/GEF initiative. Both resulted in the necessary political
commitment and counterpart financing to undertake a regional Project of this complexity.
18
The four countries are also signatories to a number of key conventions at the regional and global level.
These legal agreements will be used as the basis for harmonization of policies and legislation required to
implement a region-wide plan for the conversation of a unique transboundary ecosystem, and for the
equitable and sustainable use of its resources. Support for these legal agreements includes the following:
Belize ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on December 30, 1993, and is a signatory
to CITES, the Convention on the Law of the Sea, Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by
Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention 1972) and the International Convention for
the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78). Guatemala ratified the Convention on
Biological Diversity on July 10, 1995, and is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention, CITES, Law of the
Sea, and London Convention 1972. Honduras ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity on July 31,
1995, and is a signatory to Ramsar, CITES, Law of the Sea, and London 1972. Mexico ratified the
Convention on Biological Diversity on March 11, 1993. In May 1996, the Government of Mexico
published its program on Natural Protected Areas 1995-2000, outlining a strategy and action plan for
effective protected area management. Endorsement letters from the GEF focal points in all four countries
are attached to this proposal.
5. Value added of Bank and GEF support in this Project:
The GEF's role in this Project is essential. The majority of issues being addressed under this Project are
transboundary in character, thus the incremental cost aspects can only be adequately addressed through
grant support.
The World Bank brings to this Project its considerable capacity to address marine-related environmental
issues and its ability to convene governments around issues of common concern. The Bank has extensive
experience in the design and implementation of regional seas programs around the world, and has been a
long-standing member and active supporter of the International Coral Reef Initiative, with a growing
portfolio of coral reef related operations currently valued at nearly US$100 million.
More specifically, the Bank, through an IDA credit to the Government of Honduras, will be investing in
baseline costs related to the establishment of a framework for sustainable tourism along Honduras's
northern Caribbean coast. This area includes the mainland coast from Puerto Cortez to Trujillo and the
offshore Bay Islands--the southeastern-most extension of the MBRS. The $5 million credit is being
designed as a Learning and Innovation Loan (LIL), in parallel with the GEF regional MBRS Project. The
objectives of the LIL are to create an enabling environment--through policy dialogue, capacity building
at the municipal and local community level, and support for innovative public-private partnerships--for
the sustainable development of tourism within the coastal zone of the MBRS. The Project will pilot the
establishment of environment and tourism technical units within each participating municipality to
oversee environmental assessment requirements in relation to tourism development proposals; specialized
training in tourism related services to local stakeholder groups; dissemination of best practice in the
coastal tourism industry and a regional environmental certification program to encourage its adoption;
and an innovation marketplace to promote new ideas and opportunities for small- medium enterprise
development in the coastal tourism sector. These activities are being designed to serve as demonstrations
for sustainable tourism development in other parts of the MBRS. Through its work with indigenous
groups in the coastal zone, the LIL will also inform the community based management activities under
the MPA and sustainable use components of the MBRS regional Project.
In addition to the IDA credit, the Bank has partnered extensively with the GEF in investments to
consolidate and conserve the terrestrial portion of the MBC. The Bank has been successful in leveraging
additional financing for these investments from bilaterals, such as the Dutch and U.S., the EU, the IDB
and from the countries involved. Together these investments form a critical mass of support for regional
19
cooperation in the conservation of globally important transboundary ecosystems, and in building the
capacity--institutional, financial and human--to achieve these objectives.
E: Summary Project Analyses
1. Economic (supported by Annex 3, Incremental Cost):
[ ] Cost-Benefit Analysis : NPV=US$ million; ERR= % [ ] Cost Effectiveness Analysis:
[X] Incremental Cost [ ] Other (Specify)
The IC Annex compares the baseline scenario with the GEF Alternative, identifying an incremental cost
of $10 .1 million to achieve global benefits.
2. Financial): NPV=US$ million; FRR= %
Fiscal impact:
The anticipated fiscal impact of the Project on the participating countries is expected to be modest.
Counterpart contributions are largely in kind, in terms of staff, or one-time investments (in terms of
construction of office space). The recurrent costs for fuel, equipment maintenance and some consumables
are already absorbed into the existing budgets of the implementing agencies, and should therefore prove
manageable in the future.
In the case of MPAs, cost recovery schemes for management and monitoring activities will be integrated
into the management and operational plans that are to be developed under Component 1 of the Project
(e.g., via user fees, permits, fines, trust funds). The allocation of staff for the four new MPA sites to be
supported under the Project will be absorbed under annual operating budgets of the agencies involved and
not pose a significant burden on central treasuries now or in the future.
3. Technical:
These include country level differences in capacity to manage resources and to assess the state of these
resources; differences in data collection methodologies which make comparisons across countries
difficult; and communication difficulties in sharing information, compounded by language differences.
The Project would address data issues by developing and implementing agreed protocols for collection,
processing and dissemination information.
To minimize language barriers, the regional Project coordinator would be completely bilingual in Spanish
and English, and all Project documents would be prepared in both languages.
4. Institutional: (see Annex 2)
To enhance coordination between countries at the regional level and to promote multi-sectoral
participation at the national level, each country has established a Barrier Coral Reef Committee. These
committees are comprised of representatives of the concerned ministries, the NGO community, research
institutions and the private sector. They serve as a clearinghouse for information on programs and policies
affecting the MBRS in each country. A National Coordinator has been selected from each of the country
20
committees to serve as the principal liaison with the Project preparation team in the design and
implementation of Phase 1 of the GEF regional program. Regional Technical Working Groups will be
established under each Project component, drawn from the ranks of the Barrier Reef Committees in each
country.
a. Executing agencies:
CCAD, which is comprised of the Council of Ministers of the Environment in Central America, with
Mexico as an observer, will serve as implementing agency, operating through its secretariat, the
Directorate General for Environment of the System for Central American Integration (SICA), based in
San Salvador.
b. Project management: (see Figure 1 below)
The main institutional issues to be addressed are: (i) no established precedent for regional collaboration in
addressing environmental issues, apart from the recent efforts of CCAD; and (ii) inconsistencies and gaps
in national legislation related to coastal and marine resource use among the four countries, which are
obstacles to implementation of regional management regimes to safeguard the health of MBRS. The
Project would support measures to harmonize policies and regulations in line with best practice and
agreed principles for conservation and sustainable use of the MBRS. Initially, harmonization would focus
on establishment of MPAs, and on the fisheries and tourism sectors, setting and enforcing standards for
coastal water quality and environmental impact assessment.
21
Figure 1. Organizational Chart for MBRS Program
CCAD
Regional Steering
Committee
National Coordinators
Project Coordination Unit
Technical Advisory
(PCU)
Committee
Regional Technical
Working Groups
(TWGs)
Government
Non-government
Consultant - C
University - D
Organization - A
Organization - B
5. Social:
The main Project stakeholders and beneficiaries are: (a) the governments of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala
and Honduras, including national, departmental and municipal authorities; (b) local organizations and
traditional leaders; (c) nongovernmental organizations; (d) international and regional organizations; (e)
the scientific community; and (f) private entrepreneurs, (g) the donor community (bilaterals and multi-
laterals, IFIs).
Consultations with various stakeholder groups have taken place throughout Project preparation in a series
of regional workshops and local level meetings, and their concerns have been reflected in the current
Project design. Technical working groups will be set up during Project implementation to ensure
participation of specialized sectors in the design of annual work programs, and transparency in the
process of implementation. A Social Assessment is currently underway to focus on concerns and needs of
indigenous groups, such as the Garifuna and the Maya, and of marginalized Ladino and other
economically disadvantaged communities in the Project area (see C.2.). Substantive changes to Project
design are not anticipated, but rather a clarification of how Project benefits (e.g., training in sustainable
use, support for alternative livelihoods, co-management of protected areas, and information) can be more
readily accessed by these groups. A Project participation plan is being developed to ensure meaningful
participation of these communities in all aspects of the Project that are relevant to their felt needs and
concerns. Objectives of the Social Assessment include:
· To evaluate Project activities related to marine conservation, coral reefs, living coastal resources and
water management in a gendered way, as these are practiced by the different social groups and
institutions in the Project area.
· To analyse the positive and potential negative social impacts of the proposed activities on these
stakeholders (specifically as these may be related to coral reefs, other aquatic and landscape
22
conservation areas and archeological sites, traditional fishing grounds, etc, in the Project area; gender
imbalances; and exclusion of vulnerable groups), and refine the design of activities to prevent or
mitigate such impacts.
· To agree on the most adequate opportunities for strengthening institutional and technical capacity,
including enhancing gender balances in grassroots organizations, among local
producers/entrepreneurs and authorities, in order to achieve effective planning and Project
implementation.
· To agree on the beneficiaries' preferred mechanisms for Project participation (including men and
women of indigenous and non-indigenous groups, from local communities and other stakeholder
groups, including conservation interests, both governmental and nongovernmental).
· To agree on indicators of positive Project impact related to alternative livelihoods and sustainable use.
The results of the assessment will be incorporated into the final design of activities under each sub-
component and reflected in the annual work programs for their implementation.
6. Environmental assessment: Environmental Category [ ] A [X] B [ ] C
The Project is designed to treat many of the fundamental threats to the ecological health of the MBRS, as
identified in the Threat and Root Cause Analysis. Stakeholders consulted in the preparation of the EA
were of the opinion that the MBRS Project would have important positive environmental and social
impacts for the MBRS region The environmental and social impact of the Project is expected to be
overwhelmingly positive in light of objectives to conserve the integrity and continued productivity of the
MBRS, and promotion of opportunities for its sustainable use. The Project will make important
contributions to the body of knowledge concerning the status of the MBRS and its resources, and the real
and potential negative impacts of anthropogenic activities as these are manifested on its habitats and
resources. The Project seeks synergistic linkages with ongoing and future local, national and, regional
initiatives dealing with conservation and sustainable use of the MBRS. It would achieve this by
promoting a regional view of ecosystem boundaries and issues, a long-term program of investment and
monitoring, and mechanisms for regional coordination in program design and implementation.
The Category B rating reflects the potential for some negative environmental impacts associated with
minor civil works in the construction of MPA infrastructure. To mitigate these risks, environmental
management guidelines for construction and operation of MPA infrastructure will be prepared and
adhered to under the Project.
7. Participatory approach [key stakeholders, how involved, and what they have influenced; if
participatory approach not used, describe why not applicable]:
a. Primary beneficiaries and other affected groups: The main Project stakeholders and beneficiaries are:
(a) the governments of Mexico, Belize, Guatemalan and Honduras, including national, departmental and
municipal authorities; (b) local organizations and traditional leaders; (c) nongovernmental organizations;
(d) international and regional organizations, such as CCAD (e) the scientific community; and (f) small
and medium entrepreneurs (involved in artisanal aspects of fishing and tourism); (g) large scale
entrepreneurs involved in environmental certification of goods and services associated with the tourism
industry; and (h) the donor community. (see C2 for more discussion of stakeholders).
During the design phase of the Project, stakeholders were consulted employing a variety of approaches.
Three regional Project-planning workshops brought together members of the National Barrier Reef
Committees of each country. These committees are comprised of representatives of government agencies
responsible for themes related to the MBRS (including natural resources management, environmental
protection, protected areas management and fisheries); NGOs active in coastal and marine areas; and
23
representatives from private industry (especially tourism). These same workshops included invitees from
community-based organizations, including Garífuna fishing villages from Honduras, Guatemala and
Belize. Workshops permitted interchange of ideas and interests concerning the values placed on MBRS
resources and current economic and cultural uses. Wide participation of stakeholders in work groups and
plenary sessions enriched the design process and helped focus regional priorities.
The TRCA (Threats and Root Cause Analysis) study, which is used as the principal basis for the
environmental assessment, involved numerous consultations with members of the National Barrier Reef
Committees in their own countries in order to assess national priorities and comprehend the outreach and
activities of projects and programs being implemented within each country. Similarly, contact made with
representatives of regional and international projects provided a basis for avoiding duplication and
promotion of synergistic approaches for regional cooperation with existing projects. The results of the
study were used in the preparation of the environmental assessment and the current Project design.
F: Sustainability and Risks
1. Sustainability:
Sustainability in the context of this Project must be defined in terms of both (i) ecological sustainability--
that is maintaining the biological communities and ecological processes that comprise the MBRS and are
responsible for the goods and services it produces; and (ii) program sustainability--establishing the
institutional arrangements, financial commitments, and economic and social incentives to maintain a
strategic set of well coordinated activities that will create the conditions for the first. The Project design
recognizes the need to account for interconnectedness of ecological processes and environmental impacts
within the MBRS, many of which are transboundary in nature (i.e., cross political frontiers) or are the
result of development activities upstream (within national boundaries). To do this requires comprehension
of the system's true boundaries, the forces that drive the system (e.g., recruitment, predation, competition,
nutrient cycling, and physical factors including climate, temperature and pH), and how they operate to
keep the system intact. This is the role of science--of research and monitoring, and of information
dissemination.
Related to this is the interpretation of relevant information for the public and for decision-makers.
Exchange of information and public debate is essential to creating a constituency for the political and
financial support, and the economic and social tradeoffs in some cases, that will be required to initiate and
sustain conservation efforts over time. This is a major focus of the current Project.
In the case of transboundary aquatic systems like the MBRS, sustaining measures to conserve its
ecological values and economic productivity will depend on regional cooperation in adopting an
ecosystem perspective that transcends both national interests and geographic frontiers. Traditionally, such
international cooperation is rare, despite a shared stake in the future of the resources among riparians, and
the economic and ecological implications of failure to do so in the long term. A similar pattern is usually
evident among the array of donors in a region, whose interventions are targeted but generally fragmented
in terms of coordination with one another and often not sustained over the long term.
The MBRS Program is designed to address the need for regionalism in the perspective of the countries
involved, and for coordination of activities within a long-term, strategic framework. The first phase of the
Program focuses on system-wide threats and interventions required to address these. It will seek to
facilitate coordination at the technical and policy levels among the four countries through establishment
of the Regional Technical Working Groups and support for their operation. Regional monitoring and
information systems will help bind the countries together through shared knowledge and provide the basis
for informed policies and decision-making at the regional level.
24
Sustainability of interventions over the long term will be enhanced through human resource development
and institutional capacity building, and through the commitment of donors and stakeholders in the region
to a program rather than a project approach. Financial sustainability will be enhanced through efforts to
leverage GEF financing in Phase 1 toward new investments by co-financiers in Phases 2 and 3, by
expanding the partnership, identifying synergies and demonstrating technical and financial efficiencies of
scale. Areas of opportunity for collaboration with new partners can be found for each MBRS component,
including aspects of policy and regulatory strengthening, training, environmental education and public
outreach campaigns and media development, planning responses for contingencies, and in areas of
inventory, monitoring and the development of the proposed environmental information system.
Cost recovery for training, MPA management, Environmental Information Systems, environmental
certification and other fee-based services to be supported under the Project will be introduced at the end
of Phase 1, to promote continuity beyond the life of Project. Criteria for replicability and scaling up of
sustainable use activities in subsequent phases of the Program will include profitability, ease of adoption
and dissemination and demonstration value. With respect to recurrent costs for fuel, equipment
maintenance and some consumables, these in-kind contributions have already been absorbed into the
existing budgets of the implementing agencies, and should therefore prove manageable in the future.
By institutionalizing policy reforms, increasing the collection and flow of information, strengthening
institutions and collaborating with a broad array of stakeholders, the MBRS Program will build a strong
base of support that is likely to transcend changes in administration and personnel, and help ensure
continuity in the commitment of partners and the flow of resources, over the life of the Program.
25
2. Critical risks (reflecting assumptions in the fourth column of Annex 1):
Risk
Risk Rating
Risk Minimization Measure
Annex 1, cell "from Outputs to
Objective"
Commitment to regional approach
M
All four countries have reiterated commitments to conserving
for MBRS management undermined
the MBRS, and to the necessary regional cooperation, at the
by national interests.
highest levels.
--CCAD's implementation of both the MBRS and the MBC
regional projects will promote a regional view in the policy
context.
--Environmental education and public awareness campaigns
will build support for conservation of the ecosystem as a
whole.
Coordination of activities at the
S
Regional Technical Working Groups and workshops for each
regional level will be difficult to
component and theme under the Project will foster
operationalize on the ground.
communication and good working relations across countries;
Institutional arrangements for
PCU and national Project coordinators will ensure
regional cooperation are weak.
coordination in implementation of annual work plans.
--Program Technical Advisory Group will interface with
other donors to coordinate activities, attract new partners and
consolidate investments in MBRS consistent with the Action
Plan and TRCA.
Human resources and capacity not
S
Project aims to build capacity to a minimum uniform standard
uniform across countries--obstacle
for MPA management, ecosystem monitoring, fisheries data
to collaboration and achievement of
collection and management through training and joint
program objectives.
research, fostering intra-regional and north-south partnerships
between technical institutions.
Annex 1, cell "from Components to
Outputs"
Establishment of MPAs in
M
Development of 10 year Management plans and 2 year
transboundary areas difficult,
Operational plans, along with resources for basic equipment
particularly enforcement.
and infrastructure to implement plans will facilitate MPA
establishment in T-BAs. Joint workshops and training for
MPA staff in T-BAs will foster collaboration in management,
surveillance and enforcement.
Regional ecosystem monitoring and
S
Requirement of Government counterpart contribution of staff
information system difficult to
to participate in monitoring and maintain data base according
sustain.
to agreed protocols; support for equipment, training and travel
tied to data collection and sharing.
Information collected is not
M
Substantial TA will be provided to set up a robust monitoring
interpreted and made available to
system to detect trends in status of MBRS; applied research
decision-makers, and general public.
on physical and biological factors (including human
disturbance) affecting overall health and productivity of
MBRS will be supported through co-financing and
cooperative arrangements with MBRS partners; data will be
interpreted and made available to the public and to decision-
makers.
Overall Risk Rating
M-S
The risk is significant but manageable.
Risk Rating - H (High Risk), S (Substantial Risk), M (Modest Risk), N (Negligible or Low Risk)
3. Possible controversial aspects:
Harmonizing policies across sectors and across countries is an ambitious undertaking. Countries are
normally conservative about giving up exclusive sovereignty over resources they control. This may prove
26
problematic in trying to reach regional accords on fisheries management issues. However, all countries
have expressed their support for the FAO Code of Conduct on Straddling Stocks and Migratory Species
and are signatories to the Cartagena Convention and its SPAW protocol on Species Conservation. The
Project will help articulate key policy issues in different sectors and facilitate dialogue on how to resolve
these issues, as well as promote concrete steps toward policy harmonization, through revising regulations,
amending legislation, or drafting new laws where necessary to create consistency across the four
countries.
The Social Assessment may reveal issues at the local level related to land tenure and traditional use rights
among indigenous groups or coastal communities adjacent to protected areas. There may also be some
controversy over disputed fishing grounds in transboundary areas along with issues related to poaching.
While policy concerns can be taken up at higher levels (e.g., inter-ministerial and steering
committee/policy advisory groups supported under the Project), it may be necessary to set up conflict
management fora at the local level to deal with some of these issues. The Social Assessment should
provide further guidance on how to address these.
G: Main Grant Conditions
1. Effectiveness conditions:
· All National Barrier Reef Committees operational and a mechanism for assigning technical
working group members agreed
· Financial Management System in place or a plan for its implementation approved
· Others to be determined.
27
Annex 1
Page 1 of 4
Central America Commission on Environment and Development
Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System
Annex 1
2. PROJECT DESIGN SUMMARY
Narrative Summary
Key Performance Indicators
Monitoring and Evaluation
Critical Assumptions
a. Sector-related CAS Goal:
(Goal to Bank Mission)
Reduced rural poverty and improved More rational use of coastal and marine National surveys, sector work in
· Other externalities do not undermine
environmental security through resources to balance economic environment and social policy
social and economic benefits from
sustainable management of natural development and conservation needs.
integrated management of the coastal
resources.
zone.
Increased human and institutional capacity
for environmental management.
b. GEF Operational Program:
Maintenance of ecological integrity,
Regional Monitoring and EIS
· Climate change related phenomena do
To enhance protection of ecologically
resilience to natural disturbance and
reports, MBRS Atlas, and
not swamp natural resilience of coastal
unique and vulnerable marine
continued productivity of MBRS.
targeted research reports.
and marine ecosystems to moderate
ecosystems through introduction of an
levels of stress and periodic disturbance
ecosystem approach to conservation and
nor generate unanticipated social
sustainable use.
response.
Project Development Objective:
(Objective to Goal)
To assist the countries of Belize, · Biological representation and
(a) Annual reports of CCAD,
· National interests do not undermine
Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico to
ecological interconnectivity maintained
SEMERNAP (MX), CZMA-I
incentives for regional approaches to
manage the MBRS as a shared, regional
in coastal and marine ecosystems
(BZ), CONAMA/ Secretariat
management of transboundary
ecosystem; safeguard its biodiversity
throughout MBRS.
on the Environment (GT),
systems/resources.
values and functional integrity; and · Ecoregional approach to MBRS
and SERNA (HN).
· CCAD is successful in raising
create a framework for its sustainable
management incorporated into
(b) Changes in policies or opera-
awareness of MBRS policy issues and in
use.
conservation planning at local, national
ting guidelines in relevant
prioritizing harmonization of policies
and regional levels.
sectors (or in standards and
and legislation on SICA agenda.
· Steps towards harmonization of
regulations, e.g., use of EIA
· Lack of precedents for regional
Global Objectives
relevant policies and legislation
and land use planning
cooperation at the technical level do not
To enhance protection of the
regarding MPA management in
governing resource use).
act as a barrier to creation of new
ecologically unique and vulnerable
transboundary areas, sustainable
(c) Surveys of donors, multi-
institutional arrangements for such
marine ecosystems comprising the
fisheries management; sustainable
lateral projects, and aca-
collaboration on the ground.
MBRS by assisting riparian nations to
tourism development; and protection of
demia.
· Appropriate measures are being
strengthen and coordinate national
coastal water quality agreed and
(d) Investment trends in tourism
implemented at local and national levels
policies, regulations, and institutional
initiated in all four countries.
sector.
to mitigate land-based sources of
arrangements for the conservation and · Fora for regional cooperation at
(e) Regional coastal develop-
pollution.
sustainable use of this global public
ment plans (in Honduras,
Annex 1
Page 2 of 4
Narrative Summary
Key Performance Indicators
Monitoring and Evaluation
Critical Assumptions
sustainable use of this global public
technical and policy levels operational.
ment plans (in Honduras,
good.
Belize, and Mexico).
Outputs:
(Outputs to Objective)
Regional network of MPAs ensuring
· MPA data baseline established and
(a) Review of completed
· There is sustained political and
geographical and ecosystem
monitoring programs implemented by
management plans.
budgetary commitment to management
representation established and/or
PY4.
(b) Project bi-annual reviews and
of MPAs.
strengthened throughout the MBRS.
· 3 new MPAs established in
supervision reports.
transboundary areas by PY4.
(c) Technical reports of
· 10-year management plans developed
monitoring activities.
for 4 MPAs by PY3. 2-year operational
(d) Course evaluations
plans developed for 11 MPAs by PY4.
completed by trainees.
· 160 persons trained in MPA
management by PY5.
· Basic equipment and infrastructure
provided to two regional MPA
complexes and an additional 11 MPAs
by EOP.
Increased knowledge and dissemination
· Synoptic monitoring program
(a) Monitoring reports and
· Sufficient supply of technical assistance
of information relating to coastal and
designed and under implementation by
technical papers incorporated
specialized in sustainable management
marine ecosystem health in the MBRS.
PY2.
into EIS.
of coastal and marine resources is
· Web-based, distributed regional EIS
(b) Project bi-annual reviews and
available.
established and operational by PY3.
supervision reports.
· MBRS stakeholders are willing to
· 15 baseline reports on MBRS
(c) International access to
harmonize data access agreements for
ecosystem health produced and
knowledge generated
use of information in EIS.
disseminated by PY5.
regarding MBRS via Web-
· Required counterpart funding is
· 32 persons trained in operation and
based EIS.
available on a timely basis to support
management of EIS by PY5.
participation of technical working
· Basic equipment and infrastructure
groups and maintaining EIS nodes.
provided to four national nodes of EIS
by PY2.
· Basic field monitoring equipment
provided to implementing
organizations by PY2.
Annex 1
Page 3 of 4
Narrative Summary
Key Performance Indicators
Monitoring and Evaluation
Critical Assumptions
Increased opportunities for sustainable
· Formulation of draft regional strategy (a) Technical reports of fisheries · Political will exists on the part of
use of coastal and marine resources
for management of spawning
monitoring activities.
national-level authorities to adopt a
developed.
aggregation sites completed by PY5.
(b) Review of draft regional
regional strategy for sustainable
· 168 persons trained in sustainable
strategy.
fisheries management.
fisheries management and alternative
(c) Project bi-annual reviews and
income-generating activities by PY5.
supervision reports.
· Catalogue of exemplary practices for
(d) Course evaluations
coastal and marine tourism industry
completed by trainees.
developed by PY2.
(e) Review of technical reports
· Regional environmental certification
relating to sustainable
program designed and implemented
tourism, including catalogue
by PY5.
of exemplary practices and
· Marine tourism exemplary practices
regional certification
study tour designed and executed for
program.
"emerging" marine tour operators by
PY2.
· 236 persons trained in sustainable
tourism-related activities by PY5.
Increased public awareness of the
· 160 schoolteachers, community
(a) Project bi-annual reviews and · Public sector and civil society are
importance of and demand for the
leaders, and business leaders trained
supervision reports.
committed to incorporating project
conservation of the MBRS at regional
in MBRS concepts by PY5.
(b) Course evaluations
lessons into broader initiatives for
and international levels.
· 10,000 copies of training materials
completed by trainees.
coastal resources management.
distributed by community leaders
(c) Stakeholder surveys.
· Management staff of regional and
throughout MBRS by PY5.
national environmental authorities and
non-governmental stakeholders within
civil society adopt good practice and
lessons learned through training.
Increased regional coordination and
· 1 MBRS Regional Steering
(a) Project bi-annual reviews and · There is sustained political commitment
sustained collaboration among MBRS
Committee, 1 Technical Advisory
supervision reports.
to MBRS principles.
countries in management of a shared
Committee and 5 Technical Working
(b) Minutes of meetings of
· MBRS Regional Steering Committee
transboundary ecosystem
Groups established and operational by
Steering Committee and
reaches consensus on annual work
PY2.
technical committees.
program design and implementation.
(c) Review of annual work
· Appropriate expertise and political
program.
authority is represented on MBRS
Regional Steering Committee and
Technical Working Groups
· Other donors and partners agree to
cooperate in design and implementation
Annex 1
Page 4 of 3
Narrative Summary
Key Performance Indicators
Monitoring and Evaluation
Critical Assumptions
of activities within long-term
programmatic framework.
Project Components/Sub-components:
Inputs: (budget for each component)
(Components to Outputs)
(see Annex 2 for project description)
1. Marine Protected Areas .
US$5.87 million
(a) Annual and quarterly reports · Required counterpart funding is
(b) Procurement records
available on a timely basis.
2. Regional Environmental Information
US$5.25 million
(c) Evaluation reports
· There is continued political support for
System (EIS)
(d) Copies of contracts
regional cooperation and national-level
(e) Bank supervision reports
implementation.
3. Promotion of Sustainable Use of the
US$1.88 million
(f) Field management reports
· Civil society supports the principles
MBRS.
behind and implementation of specific
project activities.
4. Public Awareness and Environmental US$2.24 million
· Competent staff is appointed and
Education
maintained to coordinate project
5. Regional Coordination and Project
US$2.06 million
activities on a timely basis.
Management
· PCU has sufficient autonomy and
authority to implement project activities.
Annex 2
Page 1 of 17
Central America Commission on Environment and Development
Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System
Annex 2
Detailed Project Description
OVERVIEW
1. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS), extending from the southern half of the
Yucatan Peninsula to the Bay Islands of Honduras, includes the second longest barrier reef in the world. It
is unique in the Western hemisphere due to its length, composition of reef types, and diverse assemblage
of corals and related species. The MBRS contributes to the stabilization and protection of coastal
landscapes, maintenance of coastal water quality, and serves as breeding and feeding grounds for marine
mammals, reptiles, fish and invertebrates, many of which are of commercial importance. The MBRS is
also of immense socio-economic significance providing employment and a source of income to an
estimated one million people living in adjacent coastal areas.
2. Despite its significance in both ecological and socio-economic terms, the MBRS is increasingly at
risk from a number of threats. The principal anthropogenic threats to the ecological integrity and
continued productivity of the MBRS include: dredging and construction activities related to the
expanding coastal tourism industry; growing and unplanned human settlements located along the coast
and cays of the MBRS; and water-borne pollutants originating from untreated wastewater, industrial
effluent and non-point sources of pollution, the latter principally in the form of agricultural runoff (see
Map 1).
3. Natural disturbances, associated with changes in regional and global oceanic and atmospheric
processes (which may be related to human induced climate change), also pose a growing threat due to
their increased frequency and amplitude. An intense El Niño episode in the fall of 1998 led to extensive
bleaching of coral reefs, followed by massive damage to corals on exposed portions of the MBRS as a
result of Hurricane Mitch.
4. Existing institutional arrangements in the region do not appear adequate to address many of these
threats. Institutional fragmentation at the national level is manifested in the sectoral approach to resource
development (e.g., tourism, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure). Such sector-specific approaches not
only fail to take into account linkages between sectors but have been similarly ineffective in addressing
upstream, downstream, and coastal resource use conflicts, often at significant environmental and social
costs. The challenge to manage the MBRS is complicated by the transboundary nature of the System and
the lack of an effective mechanism to facilitate the regional cooperation needed to achieve a
comprehensive management approach. Any effort that purports to tackle the existing threats to the MBRS
and to promote its future sustainable use, will have to address both the prevalent sector-based approach to
managing natural resources in the MBRS region and the establishment of an effective institutional and
policy framework which supports a regional approach to management of this globally-significant
resource. The Program described below reflects the aforementioned needs and the realities of the region
and has attempted to address them through incorporating a realistic, gradualist approach into its design,
one which will lead to the conservation and sustainable use of the MBRS.
Annex 2
Page 2 of 17
PROGRAM GOAL, OBJECTIVES, AND APPROACH
5. The goal of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System Project3 is to enhance protection of the
unique and vulnerable marine ecosystems comprising the MBRS, and to assist the countries of Mexico,
Belize, Guatemala and Honduras to strengthen and coordinate national policies, regulations, and
institutional arrangements for the conservation and sustainable use of this global public good. The Project
is part of a long-term Program to safeguard the integrity and continued productivity of the MBRS. The
MBRS initiative is being actively promoted by a variety of donors and partners in the region and within
the context of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor Program.
6. The regional objectives of the GEF/Bank supported MBRS Program, agreed to by the four
participating countries, are to: (a) strengthen existing and create new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); (b)
develop and implement a standardized data management system of ecosystem monitoring and facilitate
the dissemination of its outputs throughout the region; (c) promote measures which will serve to reduce
non-sustainable patterns of economic exploitation of MBRS, focusing initially on the fisheries and
tourism sectors; (d) increase local and national capacity for environmental management through
education, information sharing and training; and (e) facilitate the strengthening and coordinating of
national policies, regulations, and institutional arrangements for marine ecosystem conservation and
sustainable use.
7. The MBRS Program objectives are ambitious, and institutionally complex. In light of this, a
gradualist approach was incorporated into Project design. The time frame was shifted from an initial 5
year Project to a 15 year Program, to be implemented in three phases. The three phased approach provides
the opportunity to build and expand on successful activities initiated in the first phase, leading to a scaling
up of Project scope and impact over the life of the Program.
8. A second consideration involves the geographical focus of the Program. Because it is not possible
to support the implementation of all component activities across an area as large as the MBRS, a phasing
of Project focal areas has also been adopted. In the initial phase, many of the field-based interventions are
concentrated in the MBRS's two transboundary areas: Chetumal Bay (Mexico and Belize) and Gulf of
Honduras (Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras). However, activities such as capacity building and policy
harmonization are designed to include the entire MBRS. Ecosystem monitoring and research, sustainable
use, and MPA management initiatives have been designed to expand as needed in subsequent phases of
the Program.
9. Finally, achieving institutional change is a long-term proposition, particularly when it entails
strengthening and coordinating national policies, regulations, and institutional arrangements in a four
country region. As such, during the Program's initial phase, institutional and policy issues are addressed
through activities that are integrated into the other components, and which are designed to provide the
basis for a broader and more in-depth treatment in the Program's subsequent phases. See Table 1 below.
3 "The Project" refers to the Activities to be carried out during Phase 1 of a proposed 15 year
Program for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
Annex 2
Page 3 of 17
Table 1. Proposed Activities for Policy Objectives under the Project
Selected Policy /
MBRS Program Action (s) Supported which Address the Eventual Desired Institutional
Institutional Issues
Issue
Outcome
Addressed by MBRS
Program
Absence of broad public
· MBRS public awareness campaign and information
· Creation of an influential
and decision-maker
dissemination
constituency among civil society
support for the
· Establishment of an information clearing house
and the private sector to promote
conservation and
facilitating public access to MBRS-related information
the required institutional and
sustainable management
· Updating of educational materials in primary and
policy changes to conserve and
of the MBRS
secondary schools
sustainably manage the MBRS
· Dissemination of MBRS material to target groups
through workshops
· Provision of a forum for policy makers and MBRS
stakeholders to conduct a dialogue and develop consensus
on a agreed set of actions to promote sustainable use of the
MBRS (ecotourism).
· Increasing public participation in MPA planning and
management activities
Absence of a coordinated, · Establishment of a regional EIS supported by national · Establishment of a reliable
regional approach to
data nodes and procedures to share information and
region-wide MBRS data base to
MBRS data collection,
facilitate increased public access to information on the
support informed decision-
management, and
signficance and status of the MBRS
making and promote the
dissemination
· Developing a monitoring program which assesses the
development of public consensus
status and "health" of the MBRS
on regional actions in support of
· Establishing a monitoring program of a regional
the conservation and sustainable
network of MPAs to assess status and the effectiveness of
management of the MBRS
management measures
Policy and institutional
· Develop the required technical basis to modify
· Repeat and expand the process
failures contributing to
existing/formulate new policies
to include other sector and multi-
non-sustainable resource · Formulate and promote the adoption of new policy (on
sector issues affecting the
use practices
use of fish aggregation sites)
sustainable use of the MBRS
· Establish an environmental certification program;
support exposure to examples of "best practices" in the
MBRS region.
Absence of a regional
· Provision of support for achieving the effective
· Creation of bi-national MPA
approach to the
management of a minimal number of MPAs to ensure
management commissions
conservation of coastal
adequate representation of regional ecosystems and
· Establishment of a Regional
and marine biodiversity of
geographic coverage
MPA System
global importance
· Policy analysis in MPA plan preparation
· Development of financial modules in management plan
Absence of a regional
· Promotion of regional TWG for MBRS components
· Formalize regional
institutional framework to · Support for bi-national MPA consultative meetings
coordination arrangements on
promote the formulation
sectoral lines
of policies, regulations,
· Harmonization of sectoral-
and an institutional
based policies affecting the
approach to manage the
MBRS
MBRS as a
· Improved policy formulation
comprehensive system.
· Achieving financial
sustainability including attracting
outside sources of investment
PROGRAM COMPONENTS, PHASE 1
Component 1. Marine Protected Areas ($5.87 million)
10. Many of the MBRS's more than sixty existing and proposed coastal and marine PAs exist only on
paper and have little or no on-site management. Moreover, a significant number of MPAs lack up to date
master and operational plans and the associated basic infrastructure and equipment needed for their
Annex 2
Page 4 of 17
implementation. This includes ranger stations, patrol boats, interpretation infrastructure such as trails and
signage, and computers and communications equipment. Of equal significance is the absence of sound
financial strategies in most of these areas, a prerequisite to achieving greater self-sufficiency and
attracting additional outside investment. Finally, even in those areas that have on the ground management
presence and the required infrastructure and equipment, staff often lack the skills needed to carry out their
core responsibilities.
11. Support under this component will be limited to a total of 15 MPAs (see Table 2 below), nine of
which already have some legal protection, and six others which are in different stages of the process
leading to their legal creation (Map 2). Criteria for MPA selection were based on the significance of the
protected area with respect to contributing to MBRS ecosystem characteristics, diversity and processes.
The majority of the MPAs (9) are located in the two transboundary areas of the MBRS, Chetumal Bay
and the Gulf of Honduras, respectively. In the transboundary areas themselves, there are several MPAs
which are separated by national boundaries and are managed as separate units. Two of these bi-national
MPA complexes, (the Xcalak/Bacalar Chico, and Sarstoon/Temash-Sarstun) situated in the Mexico-
Belize and Belize-Guatemala transboundary areas respectively, will be assisted through the Program with
the additional objective of promoting a regional approach to their management. Selection of the
remaining MPAs, in addition to the aforementioned criteria, was made with the intent to ensure a spatially
dispersed pattern of protected areas loosely connecting the Program's two transboundary areas (Map 1).
By the end of the Program's first phase, this strategy for MPA selection and support is expected to result
in a minimally acceptable number and geographic coverage of well managed MPAs in the MBRS region.
These MPAs will serve as regional models from which expansion and replication could occur to other
protected areas in the Program's future phases.
Table 2. Marine and Coastal Protected Areas to be Support through the MBRS MPA Component
Protected Area
Predominant
Legal
Status of Planning Support to be Provided
Ecosystems
Status
1
Banco Chinchorro
Seagrass, reef, cayes
Existing
Management plan
OP, modest management
2
Santuario del Manati
Mangroves and seagrass Existing
Management plan
OP, modest management
3
Corozal Bay
Mangroves and seagrass Existing
No plan
MP/OP, modest management
4
Xcalak-Bacalar Chico1 Seagrass, mangrove, reef Proposed Plan being prepared3 Expand MP,OP, major
management
5
Bacalar Chico1
Seagrass, mangrove, reef Existing
Management plan
OP, major management
6
South Water Caye
Seagrass, mangrove, reef Existing
Management plan
OP, modest management
7
Glover's Reef
Cayes, reef, seagrass
Existing
Management plan
OP, modest management
8
Port Honduras
Cayes, reef, seagrass
Existing
Plan being prepared OP, modest management
9
Gladden Spit
Reef (spawning
Proposed No plan
MP/OP, modest management
aggregations)
10 Sapodilla Cayes
Reef, cayes, seagrass
Existing
Management plan
OP, modest management
11 Sarstoon-Temash2
Mangroves and estuaries Existing
No plan
MP/OP, major management
12 Sarstun2
Mangroves and estuaries Proposed Plan being prepared OP, major management
13 Punta de Manabique
Swamp forest, mangrove, Proposed Plan being prepared OP, modest management
est.
14 Omoa-Baracoa
Coastal wetlands,
Proposed No plan
MP/OP, modest mangement
mangroves, swamp forests
15 Utila/Turtle Harbour
Swamp forest, reefs,
Existing
Plan nearly finished4 Expand MP/OP, major
seagrass, lagoons
management
1 Consists of one of the two MPAs forming the MPA complex in the Bahia de Chutemal.
2 Consists of one of the two MPAs forming the MPA complex in the Golfo de Honduras.
3 Plan does not include the Bacalar Chico portion of the MPA.
4 Plan only covers Turtle Harbour.
Annex 2
Page 5 of 17
12. The component consists of the following two sub-components:
Sub-component A - Planning, Management, and Monitoring of Marine Protected Areas (MPA)
13. The emphasis of the sub-component will be to support investments that will result in immediate
improvements in MPA protection and management while increasing the probability of achieving long-
term sustainability of management efforts. Specific activities to be supported through this sub-component
of the Program include:
· Establishment of MPA Data Baselines and Monitoring Programs. Rapid evaluations of basic
ecological and socio-economic factors and conditions, including legal and policy analyses and land
tenure issues, will be carried out for each MPA included in the Program's first phase. A
methodological approach to establishing a baseline will be designed through support for a meeting of
regional experts supported by an international consultant with expertise in the field. Together with
local scientists, the team will carry out a rapid assessment of baseline conditions for each MPA. A
second regional expert meeting will be held to review the initial results of these assessments and
devise a monitoring methodology appropriate for park staff to periodically monitor the status of their
respective MPA. The periodic monitoring of selected indicators of MPA ecosystems "health" will
provide a means to gauge the effectiveness of Program-supported management efforts.
· Development of Management Plans for MPAs. For four MPAs (Corozal Bay, Gladden Spit, Sarstoon-
Temash, and Omoa-Baracoa), new, long term (10-year) management plans will be prepared. In each
management plan, financial strategies will be formulated specifying existing and potential revenue
generation alternatives and including identification of local and international funding sources. In
addition to the long-term plans, two-year operational plans, providing greater detail and specific
budgets, will be prepared for each MPA and updated annually. Under this activity, funds will be
provided for local and international consultants; participatory workshops; preparation, publication and
dissemination of management and operational plans; and the publication of documents appropriate for
broader public distribution such as executive summaries of management plans, MPA maps, and
posters. For the eleven remaining existing and proposed MPAs, long-term management plans either
exist or are currently in preparation. Short-term technical assistance will be provided to evaluate the
success to date of plan implementation, review and harmonize planning methodologies, and
periodically evaluate the efficacy of plan implementation. Two-year operational plans will be
prepared for all 11 MPAs and updated annually.
· Basic Equipment and Infrastructure for MPA Plan Implementation. This activity will support the
purchase of basic equipment and infrastructure needed in each MPA to facilitate the planning process,
enhance administrative capacity, and allow MPA staff to rapidly implement the priority measures
outlined in the aforementioned operational plans. Likely equipment and infrastructure for the two
regional MPA complexes (the Xcalak/Bacalar Chico, and Sarstoon/Temash-Sarstun) and Utila Island
(Honduras)4 will include: boats, motors, and motorcycles; dive equipment; mooring and marker
buoys; ranger stations; and public use facilities (visitor centers, signage, trails, and composting
toilets). For the remaining 10 MPAs, a basic package of computer hardware, software and peripherals
4 While Utila is not a transboundary area per se, it includes regionally important fish spawning
aggregations, serves as a potential source of recruitment to adjacent MBRS systems, and is
ecologically closely linked to nearby protected areas in neighboring countries due to dominant
currents.
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as well as communications equipment (base and mobile radios, batteries and chargers); GPS units;
and basic office furniture will be provided.
· Transboundary Cooperation in Policy, Protection, and Management of MPAs. Most of the MPAs
selected to receive support under the Program are located adjacent or in proximity to international
borders. Current issues in need of effective bi- and tri-national management responses include
management of migratory fish and wildlife stocks, addressing cross-border infractions of existing
laws, and the conservation and management of trans-frontier parks. Under this activity, funds will be
provided to facilitate regular meetings of the field and supervisory staff of MPA management
agencies in Chetumal Bay and the Gulf of Honduras transboundary areas. It is expected that these
meetings and the resulting dialogue and decisions will provide the eventual basis for formalizing the
process leading to the joint (i.e., bilateral) management of these and other MPAs in the transboundary
areas.
Sub-component B - Institutional Strengthening
14. To address the substantial institution building needs in MPA management, regional training
courses and workshops for protected area directors, technical staff, rangers, and key collaborators from
local and national government agencies, collaborating NGOs, and local communities, will be supported
under this sub-component.
· Marine Park and Tourism Resource Development Program. Training events will be provided for
senior and mid-level MPA managerial staff, para-professional staff of MPA agencies; senior
government, university and NGO staff; rangers; supervisory staff at relevant government agencies
and NGOS; tourism institution staff; community leaders, municipal representatives, local
entrepreneurs and community association representatives. Events include the following: management
planning for MPAs; principles of MPA management; development of MPA financial strategies;
administration of MPAs; basic training for MPA rangers; community relations; MPA public use and
tourism programs. Most training will take place in two to three week sessions.
· Training Library Development. In addition to supporting regional training events, the Program will
also provide a basic standardized training library to all MPA headquarters and ranger stations
throughout the MBRS region (approximately fifty offices). This would facilitate continual
professional improvement for MPA field staff who often lack even minimal access to training
manuals, natural history publications, and other books on themes relevant to MPA management
programs.
Component 2. Regional Environmental Information System ($5.25 million)
15. The establishment of a regional environmental information system (EIS) will provide an essential
tool to organize and manage data to support improved decision-making. Moreover, a regional EIS can be
used interactively with other Program components, serving both as a recipient of and source for data. In
the Program's initial phase, the objective of the EIS component will be to provide the basic framework to
guide the collection, processing, distribution and utilization of data to promote improved management of
the MBRS. Specifically, the component will support the design and implementation of a bilingual EIS
whose architecture will allow broad access to policy makers, technicians, and the public at large. While
the establishment of an EIS will be a major product of the initial phase of the MBRS Program, it
nevertheless should be viewed as a "living" system that will grow in complexity and value as new data
are developed and made accessible.
16. A second objective of the component is to develop a reliable base of data which can be used to
support more informed management decisions. Ecological linkages between reefs, other marine
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environments, and coastal watersheds, are mediated, partially or entirely, by water flow. However, despite
the importance of water currents in transporting nutrients, pollutants, and reproductive products across
ecosystem and national boundaries, there is a dearth of data on the region's current regime and its
influence on the status and processes of MBRS reefs and other critical ecosystems. The component will
support collection of oceanographic information and data on reproduction, larval dispersal, and
recruitment of corals, fish, and other important reef components, to further our understanding of links
between reefs and other marine environments, and processes which influence reef integrity.
17. The component consists of the following two sub-components:
Sub-component A - Creation and Implementation of a Distributed, Web-based EIS
18. A web-based EIS will be established which will provide a tool to organize and disseminate basic
environmental data for reefs and other ecosystems and adjacent waters in the MBRS region, outflows
from selected watersheds, and secondary data obtained from other local and regional data sources
including relevant broader-scale monitoring programs such as CARICOMP and CPACC. Specific
activities to be supported through this sub-component are:
· EIS Design and Implementation. Through this activity, the sub-component will support the design,
purchase of equipment, and provision of technical support required to implement a distributed, web-
based, bilingual EIS. The EIS will consist of two tiers, a primary, technical tier accessible to all
participating data nodes, and a secondary, publicly accessible tier providing information on the
MBRS; the latter in support of the Program's public education and other components. Equipment
purchased under this activity consists of high end work stations and computers for a regional office
(see below) and national node offices established in the four participating countries.
A series of intensive, in-country training workshops to build node agency skills in GIS and data
management will include (a) the design of monitoring programs that support improved decision-
making, (b) interpretation of remotely sensed data, and (c) statistical analysis of monitoring data
including "reference condition" and other advanced techniques. All participating agencies will have
a role in the development of the training program to target their respective institution's needs.
· Meta-database. A critical component of the EIS, will be the establishment of a comprehensive meta-
database, a regional bibliography, and a core of legacy databases which will be maintained by the
aforementioned regional office. At minimum, baseline geo-referenced maps, and first-cut
distributions of major watersheds, coastal water masses, and broad habitat types in shallow waters
will be included in the EIS. Much of these data will have to be generated by appropriate node
agencies and/or the regional office.
· Information Dissemination. Provision of information (electronically and in print) stemming from
monitoring and other activities being undertaken to gauge and manage the environmental "health" of
the MBRS will be supported through the Program's website An MBRS atlas on both CD ROM and
hard copy media will be prepared in PY 4, which can be updated periodically as new data become
available.
Sub-component B - Establishment of a Synoptic MBRS Monitoring Program
19. Under this sub-component, a regional monitoring program for the collection of synoptic data on
physical oceanography (surface currents) and ecological connections among and between reefs and
adjacent ecosystems (including coastal watersheds) will be implemented. Monitoring activities will be
planned and designed in association with the MBRS MPA monitoring activity described above, to ensure
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technical coherence and operational efficiency between the two activities. Specific activities to be
supported under this sub-component include:
· Baseline Assessment and Monitoring Program. This activity will support the preparation of an MBRS
environmental baseline, based on available information on current regime, areas of high pollution
risk, community structure and dynamics, and linkages between key ecosystems to assess vulnerability
and connectivity. The results of the study will be presented at an initial planning workshop of the
component's Technical Working Group (TWG) in PY 1. It will be the TWG's task to develop a
detailed proposal for a regional monitoring program to include surface current patterns, sources of
pollution and water quality, and reef community dynamics including coral and fish recruitment.
In the initial phase of the Program, the geographic emphasis of the monitoring activities will be in the
two transboundary areas of the MBRS. Selection criteria will likely include: presence of biodiversity-
rich ecosystems; importance of the areas as sources or sinks for recruitment of corals, fish, and other
important community components; and presence and degree of threat associated with pollution
stemming from onshore activities. An additional five or six sites at strategic locations between the
northern and southern transboundary areas will be established to contribute to a more complete
understanding of the ecological processes that characterize the MBRS.
Ø Targeted Research. The monitoring study will be supported by ancillary field studies. These will
include:
· Characterization of presence, composition, and status of specific biotic communities in proximity
to monitoring stations.
· A module which will monitor the flow and water quality at stations in proximity to Rio Hondo,
New River, Motagua River, Chamelecon River and Ulua Rivers to include an assessment of their
importance as outlets for agro-chemicals and other bioactive compounds that may affect the
"health" of the reefs, This will include support for development of a set of bio-monitoring
indicators that would allow more simple and cost effective monitoring of water quality, and
which could be applied routinely to coral reef sites throughout the region, including MPAs.
· A risk analysis using satellite imagery of river flood plumes, and/or analysis of offshore
sediments derived from terrigenous materials, to identify those reef communities that are most at
risk to river-borne pollutants.
· Development of a hydrodynamic surface flow model for the region, a key output scheduled near
the end of the Program's first phase.
The monitoring program and targeted research will be supported through the purchase of sampling
equipment, logistical support for data collection, funding for laboratory analyses, and specialized
technical assistance. This research will be complemented by proposed research on oceanographic and
other factors affecting recruitment from source reefs to sink reefs within or adjacent to the MBRS,
information vital to the strategic siting or expansion of MPAs in the region. The latter research on reef
connectivity will be funded through co-financing provided by Canada and the EU.
Component 3. Promoting Sustainable Use of the MBRS ($1.88 million)
20. There is growing evidence that non-sustainable resource use practices are in aggregate beginning
to affect the overall "health" of the MBRS. The objective of this component is to support the introduction
of new policy frameworks and management tools to increase institutional capacity, disseminate key
information and create the necessary incentives for stakeholders to shift toward patterns of sustainable use
of MBRS resources. This component will initially focus on the two most significantly important and
potentially harmful economic sectors dependent on the MBRS, fishing and tourism.
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Sub-component A - Promotion of Sustainable Fisheries Management
21. Several commercial species of finfish, crustacea and mollusks are either fully or over-exploited
throughout the MBRS region. Not only do these species represent an important economic resource to
coastal communities, many of them play key functional roles in the reef ecosystem. Despite the
importance of the resource, sustainable management objectives for most of these species have rarely been
achieved in the region; a situation attributed largely to a lack of awareness (among policy makers,
resource managers and fishers, alike); poor education; conflicts among coastal-based resource user
groups; and minimum research capacity in the MBRS region. This sub-component will address some of
the causes of overfishing by supporting: (a) monitoring and management of spawning aggregation sites,
(b) improved institutional capacity in sustainable fisheries management, and (c) promotion of alternative
livelihood systems.
Ø Monitoring and Management of Spawning Aggregation Sites. A key stage in the reproductive cycle of
many of the commercially important reef-based fish species in the MBRS is the periodic aggregation
of spawning populations in geographically-specific areas. Knowledgeable fishers exploit these
resources without restriction. To date there are few data to assess the consequences of these fishing
practices on either the fish populations or the MBRS at large. Nor are there consistent national or
regional policies to manage the practice. The objective of this activity is to support the collection and
analysis of scientific and anecdotal information: (a) documenting the location of these sites, (b)
ascertaining their ecological and socio-economic importance, and (c) estimating the degree of
exploitation (by fishing and other activities), with priority given to commercially important species,
and (d) assessing the impact on population demographics. A key output from this activity will be the
formulation of a draft regional policy to control the exploitation of these sites.
Ø Institutional Strengthening. This activity will identify and test new approaches to the sustainable
management of fisheries that could be expanded and replicated in possible future Program phases.
These are:
· Design and implementation of a regional fisheries data collection and management system. This
activity will review existing fisheries data collection systems in the region, determine the
feasibility of modifying them to suit MBRS needs, and produce a common fisheries data
collection and management system for the MBRS, in the form of software and a users manual.
This system will be compatible with the EIS. Copies of the software, users manual, computers
and printers will be provided, together with training, to the four countries respective fisheries'
agencies in an effort to promote immediate use of the new data collection system.
· Provision of existing computer-based management models (ECOPATH and ECOSIM) to the four
countries to support, on a pilot basis, the adoption of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries
management.
· Regional and national training for fishers, government officials and members of NGOs in
fisheries co-management techniques.
· A study addressing the socio-economic interrelationships between fishing and other user groups
(particularly tourism) within the coastal zone of the MBRS. This assessment will include a cost-
benefit analysis of fisheries relative to other sectors; identify positive relationships and conflicts
between fishers and other user groups and will recommend guidelines for enhancing positive
relationships as well as conflict resolution measures between fishers and competing sectors in the
coastal zone; and identify opportunities for multiple use.
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· Support for professional peer exchange and hands-on training in specific skills for technicians
working in fisheries issues in the MBRS region.
Ø Promotion of Sustainable Livelihoods. Training of fishers from the transboundary areas in alternative
income generating activities will be conducted in PY2 and PY3. This activity will give fishers the
capacity needed to diversify from fishing into more sustainable income-generating activities, based on
other successful initiatives in the region. Training will include, but not be limited to, kayaking, sport-
fishing, SCUBA, leading nature tours, etc. After training, the equipments used for training (kayaks,
rods and reels, paddles, life-vests, fly kits, etc.) would be housed within the training institution and
rented to trained fishers at a low cost.
Sub-component B - Facilitation of Sustainable Coastal and Marine Tourism
22. Tourism is the world's fastest growing industry. Tourist arrivals to the Central America sub-
region represented the highest average annual percentage growth increase within the Americas region
over the past 3 years. A large part of this growth is in nature-based tourism, relying on the amenities or
attractions of the Caribbean Basin's unique marine environment. The MBRS still boasts some of the least
spoiled coastal profiles and some of the most outstanding underwater experiences in the Caribbean.
However, in the absence of adequate environmental management guidelines or regulatory regimes,
proliferation of traditional sea and sun tourism in parts of the region has occurred, putting many of these
amenities at risk. There is a critical need to stimulate an on-going policy dialogue and take specific steps
to ensure that sustainable tourism principles and practices are implemented through regional cooperation
in fast growing tourism destinations within the MBRS.
23. The objective of this sub-component is to formulate and apply policy guidelines and best practice
models for sustainable coastal and marine tourism in the four countries of the MBRS. The desired
outcome is to provide and disseminate examples that demonstrate how to minimize the adverse impacts of
tourism and enhance its potential beneficial effects on coastal/marine habitats and resources and on
human communities located near tourism destinations. The following activities are planned over the
initial five-year phase of the Program:
Ø Regional Policy Dialogue and Cooperative Action Forum. To facilitate a tourism policy that is
consistent with marine conservation objectives enshrined in the Tulum Declaration and other
international conventions, senior government officials, MPA managers and their tourism industry
counterparts need to be better informed about critical coastal and marine tourism issues and problems.
Priority issues include support for rigorous environmental impact assessment, inspection and
enforcement systems for coastal resource development; guidance on the design of innovative regional
trip circuits which "package" and market marine parks and other tourist destinations; selection of at
least one specific priority issue each year requiring regional cooperation and development of an
agreed action agenda to address it.
Ø Catalogue of Exemplary Practices. Voluntary codes of conduct in critical segments of the coastal and
marine tourism industry need to be considered and adopted by tourism-related businesses. This
activity will support an extensive literature search and interviews with sustainable tourism experts,
from which "good practices" will be identified and adapted for use in the MBRS region. A catalogue
of "exemplary practices" for sustainable coastal tourism will be developed and disseminated widely
in the region through print and the Program's website.5
5 "Exemplary" refers to those practices that have been shown to produce superior results; are
elected by a systematic process; and judged as exemplary, good, or successfully demonstrated.
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Ø Regional Environmental Certification Program. Under this activity, a region-wide, independent
environmental certification program will be established for coastal and marine tourism operations in
key sub-sectors (e.g., hotel/resort facilities, diving operations, yachting and live aboard, eco-lodges,
cruise ship tours on land). This regional program will include: (a) agreement on a strategy and road
map for certification, including performance based standards for environmental certification/eco-
labeling; (b) formulation and adoption of an independent certification and marketing system that
positions the MBRS region as one of the world's leading sustainable tourism destinations; (c)
provision of resources for establishment of the program on a pilot basis in high priority transoundry
tourism destinations linked to one or more MPAs; and (d) development and adoption of a plan for
expanding and financing the certification system (e.g. fee for service, cooperative marketing to the
green market). Efforts will be made to create cost effective linkages and cooperative activities with
other on-going certification programs (such as those sponsored by Caribbean Action for Sustainable
Tourism).
Ø Marine Tourism Exemplary Practices Study Tour. A two-week marine tourism exemplary practices
study tour will be designed for "emerging" marine tour operators in the MBRS to network and share
ideas with 5 or 6 established and leading adventure travel, marine travel and ecotourism operators in
Central America. Throughout the Tour, experts will conduct seminars on a number of topics,
including product development, marketing strategies, partnering with the travel trade, packaging, and
market research. Materials will be prepared on environmental practices, community involvement,
conservation financing and interpretation. A technical report will also be drafted and widely
disseminated to the tourism industry, interested NGOs and government officials through print and the
Program website in order to share lessons learned, case examples and pitfalls to avoid.
Ø Marine Park and Tourism Resource Development Program. A marine park and tourism resource
development training program will be offered, based upon the model training program being
undertaken in the Honduras Sustainable Coastal Tourism Project. The following content will be
covered: (a) setting objectives necessary for the successful future of the MPAs, (b) techniques for
creating and developing a market position for the MPAs (individually and as a group) and
establishing this position in relevant marketplaces, such as with travel wholesalers and in tourism
magazines, (c) concessions and outsourcing mechanisms for managing ancillary services offered in
and around the MPAs, such as food, lodging, and guide services, as well as security, maintenance,
parking, transportation and a host of other services, (d) fund raising, accounting, financial
management and reporting, to provide better accountability to donors and improve ability to negotiate
joint ventures and investment projects with tour operators, hoteliers and other tourism organizations;
(e) environmental education in tourism and natural resources in order to meet the management
objectives for protected areas, (f) park interpretation to improve environmental outreach to tourists
and the general public; and (g) community participation, to encourage ownership of park objectives
and facilitate access to conservation and tourism-related benefits by communities living in the buffer
zones surrounding protected areas. Priority emphasis will be placed on identifying economic
instruments in the marine tourism industry that could be used to enhance compliance with sustainable
tourism policies and regulations, capitalize local trust funds for environmental management in the
coastal zone, and create social funds for community development and income generation in areas
impacted by tourism. A survey of tour operators, hotel owners and reef recreation-related businesses
at selected MPAs and municipalities will be conducted to clarify their preferences relative to
economic instruments and revenue generating mechanisms. The results will be used in the training
program and disseminated widely in the region.
The practices then need to be adapted to fit a particular organization and practiced by exemplary
operators.
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Component 4. Public Awareness and Environmental Education ($2.24 million)
24. A major underlying cause of threats identified in the Threat and Root Cause Analysis completed
in support of MBRS Program preparation was the lack of public education on and awareness of the
significance of the System and the issues that need to be addressed to ensure its sustainability. A critical
element to developing the political will and policies required to manage the MBRS will be building the
necessary public support to catalyze change. The objective of the component is to increase environmental
awareness among a variety of stakeholders and develop the human capital necessary to plan and manage
the diverse resources of the MBRS within a proven framework of conservation and sustainable use. The
component consists of the following two sub-components: (a) development of an environmental
awareness campaign, and (b) formal and informal education.
Sub-component A - Development of an Environmental Awareness Campaign
25. Under this sub-component, the general public's awareness of the importance of the MBRS as a
"world class" resource and the need to promote its conservation and sustainable use will be increased.
This will be carried out through support for the development of a broad-based public awareness campaign
based on the use of printed and audio-visual materials. Specific activities supported under the campaign
include:
Ø Public Awareness Campaign Strategy. This will be developed through a series of meetings and
interviews with key stakeholders in the four MBRS countries. It will be implemented on a national
basis and focus on the value and need for conservation of the shared resources of the MBRS. The
strategy will include the following elements:
· Establishment of a Database and Information Clearinghouse. MBRS-relevant materials and
resources located within and beyond the region will be entered into a database which will be
made accessible through the MBRS Program Website. A catalog of MBRS reference materials, to
include all printed and audio-visual materials produced by Program components, will be
compiled and made available to the public.
· Development and Dissemination of Information Materials. In support of the campaign, printed
and audio-visual materials (e.g., best practices guides and public education teaching materials),
will also be reproduced and distributed to target audiences. All materials will be produced in
English, Spanish and, in some cases, Garifuna.
· Two, one-day seminars for National Barrier Reef Committees and mass media representatives
will be held in each of the four countries to promote the Program and disseminate the printed and
audio-visual materials.
Sub-component B - Formal and Informal Education
26. The objective of this sub-component will be to increase knowledge and promote changes in
attitudes and behavior towards the conservation and sustainable use of the MBRS through the
strengthening of formal and informal environmental education programs, with particular focus on the two
MBRS transboundary areas. Specific activities which will be supported under this sub-component are:
Ø Production and Dissemination of Education Materials. Students at primary and secondary school
levels will be educated about the significance of MBRS and the need to promote sustainable
management practices. Assistance will be provided through creation and/or adaptation of curriculum
materials for students, as well as teachers' guides and teacher training to ensure successful use.
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Specifically, this activity will support the production of primary school level curriculum materials for
students and associated teaching guides, and two regional, 6-day training workshops for teachers.
Secondary school level curriculum materials for students and associated teaching guides will also be
produced. Two regional, 6-day training workshops for teachers of primary and secondary schools will
complement the development of educational materials . An annual coastal resources fair and contest
will be established for secondary school level students to exhibit and award projects that most
successfully incorporate MBRS conservation and sustainable use themes.
Ø Regional Workshops and Conferences. Non-formal education will be provided for professionals in the
industrial and tourism sectors which directly affect MBRS resources and for community leaders who
exert strong influence on MBRS stakeholders. These will be coordinated with workshops and training
materials developed under the sustainable tourism sub-component to expose participants to best
practices in tourism and other sectors with direct impacts on MBRS resources. Awards to publicly
recognize those who demonstrate their commitments to conservation and sustainable use of MBRS
resources will also be supported.
Program Management: Institutional Arrangements for Regional Coordination and National Level
Implementation ($2.06 million)
27. CCAD has been proposed as the implementing agency for the MBRS Program and will oversee
execution by the Program Coordination Unit of the five year Project proposed during Phase 1 (see below).
At the policy level, the Program will be coordinated by the MBRS Regional Steering Committee (RSC)
made up of representatives of CCAD and each of the existing National Barrier Reef Committees in the
four MBRS countries; ex-officio members will include those representing donor organizations and partner
institutions working on related issues in the region. The RSC will be supported by a Technical Advisory
Committee (TAC) composed of internationally recognized experts in the technical areas of project
assistance. A regional Program Coordination Unit (PCU) based in Belize will be responsible for direct
implementation of the five year Project during the Program's first phase. Technical support will be
provided to the PCU by Regional Technical Work Groups (TWG) made up of appropriately selected
representatives from the National Barrier Reef Committees complemented by regional/international
consultants on an "as-needed" basis.6 The TWGs will be supported by a Policy Working Group that will
help articulate and raise to appropriate levels for consideration, the priority policy objectives and actions
required to harmonize frameworks governing the use of MBRS resources in the region. Program activities
under each of the four proposed components--Marine Protected Areas; Regional Environmental
Information System (EIS); Promotion of Sustainable Use of the MBRS; and Public Awareness and
Environmental Education--will be executed by a mix of local and regional execution entities. A more
detailed description of the organizational framework and responsibilities at each level is provided below:
Ø MBRS Regional Steering Committee. Membership of the RSC will be comprised of the Executive
Director of the CCAD7 or his delegate, and the National Coordinators of each of the four National
Barrier Reef Committees. The Director of the PCU will serve as a non-voting member and act as
secretary for the Steering Committee. The committee will also include a panel of ex-officio members
representing donor organizations and partner institutions working in the region on issues related to
MBRS Program objectives. The RSC will provide overall policy guidance within the general and
6 Costs of consultants have been budgeted for under the respective components.
7 The Executive Director of the CCAD also acts as the Director General of the General
Environmental Directorate (Dirección General de Medio Ambiente, DGMA) of the Secretariat of
Central American Integration (Sistema de Integración Centroamericana, SICA), headquartered in
El Salvador.
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intermediate objectives of the Program, and will coordinate the participation of national, regional and
international governmental and nongovernmental counterpart organizations' in the implementation of
the Program. It will review and approve annual work plans and resolve coordination issues that may
arise between countries. Through its multi-institutional representation, the RSC will liaise with other
potential partners within and outside the region to attract additional co-financing for the Program over
the long term. In this way, the RSC will facilitate coordination between the GEF Regional Project and
other efforts which, collectively, constitute the larger, sustained Program of Actions in support of
Conservation and Sustainable Use of the MBRS. The RSC will meet twice annually: (a) in early
December to evaluate Program activities for the outgoing year presented in the form of an annual
report, and to review and approve proposed activities for the subsequent year in the form of an
aggregated annual work plan; and (b) in mid July to monitor progress in the implementation of
activities proposed in annual work plans. Both of these meetings will also be used to analyze and
resolve any regional policy and coordination issues that may be affecting Program implementation.
Ø Technical Advisory Committee. The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be responsible for
advising the RSC on technical matters which may arise during the implementation of the Program. It
will be composed of internationally-recognized experts in the fields relevant to MBRS Program
objectives. Members will provide technical input for the design and review of annual work programs
and serve as information gateways to state of the art management, good practice, and professional
networks in the areas of MPA management, sustainable coastal tourism, regional fisheries
management, coral reef ecosystem monitoring and EIS, and environmental education and outreach.
The Technical Advisory Committee will also serve as an "honest-broker" to the RSC with respect to
resolution of technical issues under the Project that may be particularly contentious. The TAC will
meet bi-annually on a schedule designed to overlap with RSC meetings to provide timely input to
their deliberations.
Ø Program Coordination Unit. The PCU will coordinate day-to-day implementation of the Program
among each and all components. It will be responsible for contracting and logistical support of
respective component implementing entities and consultants, procurement of Program-related
equipment and supplies and overall planning, monitoring and evaluation of Program activities and
quality control of Program execution. In addition, the PCU will also be responsible for the
establishment and maintenance of the MBRS Environmental Information System (EIS), including its
meta-database and webpage. CCAD and the RSC will delegate administrative authority to the PCU to
directly manage financial resources provided under the GEF grant. However, the PCU will be
accountable to CCAD, which will have ultimate responsibility for Project implementation and which
will be directly accountable to the four participating countries and to the Bank/GEF in complying
with the Grant Agreement for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier
Reef System Program.
Ø
The PCU will be staffed with the following personnel:
· Director
· Financial Management Specialist/Disbursement Officer
· Procurement Specialist/Administrative Assistant
· Environmental Monitoring Specialist
· Management Information Specialist/Webmaster
· Natural Resources Management Specialist
· Driver/Messenger.
·
Ø Regional Technical Working Groups. Regional Technical Working Groups (TWG) will be
established to support each of the Program's four components. Separate TWGs will be established for
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sub-components dealing with fisheries and with tourism under the Sustainable Use Component, and
with ecosystem monitoring and environmental information systems under Component 2. The TWGs
will include two technical representatives from each National Barrier Reef Committee appropriately
selected based on their affiliation with the technical subject area, preferably one representative from a
government institution and one representative from a nongovernmental or resource user organization.
TWG composition will be complemented by consultants on an "as needed" basis. Component specific
tasks for each TWG would include:
· TWG on Marine Protected Areas will be responsible for: (a) participating in and coordinating
development of a methodology for establishment of a baseline and monitoring program for
MBRS-supported MPAs, (b) promoting the use of this methodology in other non-participating
MPAs, (c) reviewing and commenting on MPA management and operational plans, (d) promoting
needed policy change/formulation identified in MPA specific management plans through their
respective governments to ensure future sustainability of the protected area system, and (e)
reviewing training course content and lists of participants to ensure sub-component objectives are
achieved.
Ø TWG on Environmental Monitoring and Information System
· The sub-group for the environmental information system sub-component will be responsible for:
(a) developing data-sharing agreements and other procedures required to ensure the successful
establishment and operation of the EIS, (b) coordinating and integrating national node agencies'
efforts, and (c) promoting development of additional nodes and the growth and broader use of the
EIS.8
· The sub-group on the environmental monitoring sub-component will be responsible for
coordinating and implementing the monitoring program. Specifically, it will be responsible for:
(a) reviewing and commenting on the draft baseline assessment document, (b) advising on the
selection of sites and design of the monitoring program, (c) advising on the ancillary studies in
support of the monitoring program.
· TWG on Sustainable Use of the MBRS
Ø The sub-group on sustainable fisheries will be responsible for: (a) coordinating and participating in
development of a methodology for establishment of a data baseline and monitoring program for fish
aggregation sites; (b) participating in the drafting, promotion, and adoption of a regional policy to
conserve and manage the fishery resources at these sites; (c) participating in the design and adoption
of a standardized fisheries data collection system; (d) introducing measures to harmonize policies
regulating the exploitation of shared stocks (e.g., through agreement on quotas, closed seasons,
fishery no-take zones), and protection of threatened and endangered species; and (e) coordination of
training and activities.
Ø The sub-group on sustainable coastal and marine tourism will be responsible for: (a) coordinating and
participating in the regional cooperative action forum, (b) monitoring the implementation and follow-
up of agreed actions stemming from forum meetings, and (c) coordinating and participating in the
development and promotion of the regional environmental certification program.
8 In addition to representation from the National Coral Reef Committees, where representatives
are not from the participating national node agency, the latter will also participate in the EIS sub
group.
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· TWG on Public Awareness and Environmental Education will be responsible for: (a) facilitating
the identification and accessing of data and information in support of the component, (b)
providing input to, reviewing and commenting on the public awareness strategy, (c) promoting
the mass media campaign through available national channels, and (d) reviewing and
commenting on educational materials in support of the formal and informal educational sub-
component.
Supporting all of the technical working groups, will be a separate "policy working group" composed of
experts in environmental law and natural resources management policy from the region. The role of the
policy working group will be to assist the TWGs in the identification of priority policy objectives and
actions required to harmonize national frameworks governing the use of MBRS resources in each country
with agreed regional frameworks, e.g, for fisheries, water quality, coastal tourism development, EIA and
establishment of protected areas. The policy working group will liaise closely with CCAD and its legal
office to ensure that policy objectives under the MBRS are raised to the highest levels for consideration
within the System for Central American Integration (SICA), and to establish performance benchmarks for
policy harmonization during the near, medium and long term. These benchmarks will form the basis for
the design of policy actions during Phases 2 and 3 of the Program.
Following the first year, TWGs will meet annually at the end of each calendar year, scheduled to coincide
with the RSC's meeting, in order to assess program progress related to each group's technical interest
area and provide input to the annual planning process for the ensuing year's activities. These groups will
also communicate on a continuous basis via Internet, telephone, fax and/or informally during training
events and seminars throughout the year to coordinate their respective National Committee's support for
regional Program implementation.
Ø Component Execution Entities. The PCU, with RSC approval and consistent with Bank procurement
policies and guidelines, will select a series of qualified national and international governmental and
non-governmental organizations and consultants to carry out proposed Program activities. Selection
of these entities will be based on their unique geographic position in proximity to Program outreach
areas and/or technical areas of expertise to implement such activities under a competitive process.
The PCU will sign and manage cooperative agreements and/or contracts with these entities and
supervise their execution. Specific activities to be carried out by these entities are described under the
respective Program components and terms of the MBRS Program Implementation Manual (PIM).
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
28. Much of PY1 will be devoted to establishing the necessary institutional arrangements to ensure
efficient Program implementation. Facilitated by the Project Implementation Manual (PIM), these
arrangements include: (a) staffing and equipping the PCU; and (b) forming the Program's RSC, TAC and
TWGs. A major milestone for the PCU will be to prepare an interim work plan to be submitted to the
RSC at the mid-point of PY1. Prior to that, the PCU Coordinator and staff will be working under
previously prepared TORs submitted and approved by the RSC as part of the PIM. Much of the remainder
of PY1 will be devoted to planning and design of specific components and their respective activities and
completing contracting arrangements with the various executing entities.
29. Under the MPA component, following the establishment of the TWG, MPA baseline assessments
will be phased in over the first three Program years beginning with an initial six assessments proposed for
PY1. These will "drive" the schedule of the subsequent steps of plan development and implementation,
which have been sequenced over PY2 - PY4. MPA monitoring activities will commence approximately
one year after the completion of the baseline and continued to the end of the Program's first phase.
Training activities will begin in PY1 but will be mostly concentrated in PY2 and PY3.
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30. Under the Regional EIS component, the design of the EIS, establishment of national data nodes,
and purchase of equipment are projected for PY1. These activities will be followed by the establishment
of the meta-database and production of the atlas in PY2 and PY4, respectively. Under the environmental
monitoring sub-component, the completion of the initial assessment of baseline conditions and
monitoring program design are scheduled for the end of PY1. Equipment purchase and deployment and
the initiation of field monitoring will commence in PY 2.
31. Under the Sustainable Fisheries Management sub-component, the initial assessment of
aggregations of fish populations is projected for the end of PY1, followed by a 3 year monitoring program
beginning in PY 2 and continuing through PY4. The design and purchase of equipment related to the
fishery data management system will also be completed in PY1 though training will not commence until
PY2. Most of the remaining activities under this sub-component are scheduled to commence in PY2 and
some will continue until the end of the Program's first phase.
32. Under the Tourism sub-component, the initiation of the action forum and the certification
program activities will commence in PY1 and continue through the life of the first phase. The publication
of the exemplary practices catalogue and support for the exemplary practices study tour is scheduled for
PY2 and PY3, respectively.
33. Finally, under the Public Awareness and Environmental Education component, the establishment
of the clearing house, design of the public awareness campaign, and publication of materials are projected
for PY1. The implementation of the campaign, distribution of materials, and most the workshops and
conferences are scheduled for PY2-PY5.
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Central America Commission on Environment and Development
Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System
Annex 3
Incremental Costs and Global Environmental Benefits
Overview
1. The global objectives of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System Project are to enhance protection
of ecologically unique and vulnerable marine ecosystems of the second longest barrier reef in the world
and to assist the countries of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras to strengthen and coordinate
national policies, regulations, and institutional arrangements for marine ecosystem conservation and
sustainable use of this global public good. The Project's specific objectives are to: (a) strengthen existing
and create new marine protected areas; (b) develop and implement a standardized data management
system of ecosystem monitoring and facilitate the dissemination of its outputs throughout the region; (c)
promote measures that will serve to reduce non-sustainable patterns of economic exploitation of the
MBRS, focusing initially on the fisheries and tourism sectors; (d) increase local and national capacity for
environmental management through education, information sharing and training; and (e) facilitate the
strengthening and coordinating of national policies, regulations, and institutional arrangements for marine
ecosystem conservation and sustainable use.
2. The GEF Alternative intends to achieve these objectives at a total incremental cost of US$10.1
million through the implementation of components entailing improved planning, management, and
monitoring of marine protected areas; strengthening technical capacity of protected areas staff; creation
and implementation of a distributed, Web-based environmental information system; establishment of a
synoptic monitoring system; promotion of sustainable tourism and sustainable fisheries management in
coastal communities; development of an environmental awareness campaign; support for formal and
informal education; and Project management.
Context: Threats and Root Causes
3. Coral reefs support the most diverse forms of life on earth. The framework built by corals and
algae supports a fantastic variety of flora and fauna, including invertebrates, such as hard and soft corals,
mollusks, sponges, anemones, sea whips, tube worms, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, clams, starfish, sea
urchins and tunicates. Megafauna inhabiting this underwater rain forest include over 4000 species of fish,
marine reptiles, and an array of marine mammals that migrate through their waters. The MBRS, extending
from Mexico to Honduras in the Western Caribbean, is the second longest barrier reef in the world,
serving as a habitat for tremendous marine biodiversity. The MBRS is unique in the Western Hemisphere
on account of its size, its array of reef types, and the luxuriance of corals that it contains. Unusual
geophysical features include the complex maze of patch reefs and faroes in a relatively deep shelf lagoon;
the great diversity of reef types in a small geographical area; and the large offshore mangrove cays that
have a marine origin. In southern Belize, the mangrove cays of Port Honduras-Payne Creek and the
Sarstoon-Temash system along the border with Guatemala constitute the largest stand of mangroves in all
of Belize and the Caribbean coast of Guatemala. They provide nutrients and critical habitat in the juvenile
stages for much of the invertebrate and vertebrate fauna that inhabit the southern portion of the MBRS in
the Gulf of Honduras. The MBRS is also unique in featuring three oceanic atolls, of which Glovers Atoll
is considered to be the best example of an atoll in the Caribbean basin.
4. Associated with the MBRS ecosystem are extensive areas of relatively pristine coastal wetlands,
lagoons, seagrass beds and mangrove forests that provide critical habitat for a number of threatened
species and many species of birds. The species diversity of plants within the Glovers Atoll alone has been
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found to be higher, by a factor of two, than that of other Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico reef island groups.
The MBRS stabilizes and protects coastal landscapes, maintains coastal water quality, sustains species of
commercial importance, serving as breeding and feeding grounds for fish and invertebrates, and offers
employment alternatives and incomes to approximately one million people living in coastal zones facing
the reefs. In view of its exceptional character, a number of sites in the MBRS have been designated as
World Heritage sites. Five of these lie within the Belize Barrier Reef.
5. Despite its renown as an important habitat for coastal and marine biodiversity, the MBRS is under
severe threat. Particular threatened species include: N. American manatee; Loggerhead Turtle; Green
Turtle; Hawksbill Turtle; Olive Ridley Turtle; black corals; queen conch; and spotted spiny lobster and
Nassau Grouper in parts of their range. A Threat and Root Cause Analysis (TRCA) carried out during
Project preparation indicated that the principal threats to the MBRS include:
(a) Coastal/Island Development and Unsustainable Tourism, which includes urban, hotel and resort
development and related infrastructure, together with all the direct and indirect impacts that these
bring to bear on the MBRS (e.g., pollution/contamination, nutrification, sedimentation, physical
reef damage, impacts to estuary and lagoons and mangrove destruction, beach erosion, habitat
change, etc.).
Box 1. Existing Threats and Root Causes:
Coastal/Island Development and Unsustainable Tourism
The City of Chetumal discharges 200 cubic meters of untreated sewage into Chetumal Bay each day. Volumes
of raw or poorly treated sewage of similar or greater magnitude are discharged from urban centers directly into
coastal waters of the MBRS coast from Belize City, Puerto Cortes, Tela, La Ceiba and Trujillo. Excess nutrients
can result in blue-green algal blooms that smother coral reefs. Repeated fish kills in the vicinity of Belize City
are attributed to effluent from an industrial galvanizing plant. Similarly, ever-increasing cruise ship and live
aboard tourism, which is predicted to add an additional 20 ships and 2,000,000 passengers to the Caribbean in
the year 2000, can likewise produce serious impacts if not regulated. Pulses of high numbers of tourists can
overtax public services, reduce local food stocks, and generate vast amounts of solid and liquid wastes that
must be accommodated by municipalities in the MBRS. If these ships visit offshore island and coral reef sites,
waste management problems may become acute, and inexperienced and/or unsupervised divers and snorklers
may lead to coral breakage, predation and uncontrolled fishing.
The intermediate causes of threats from inappropriate coastal development and unsustainable tourism are
linked primarily to the inability, or lack of will, to enforce compliance of existing laws and regulations regarding
environmental impact assessment and land-use zoning. In some cases, regulations and land-use plans are
non-existent. There is a notable lack of land-use/integrated coastal management plans and zoning related to
basic environmental and engineering principles. Another intermediate cause is failure to control settlement and
inappropriate land use in marginal areas not environmentally fit for habitation, especially national and municipal
properties, including mangroves, beaches, wetlands and near lagoons. Behind these intermediate causes
stands a series of structural root causes, including a lack of awareness of the impacts of development actions
in the coastal environment at all levels, from local resource users up to national government policy makers.
Likewise, weak land tenure policies favor large landowners and restrict access of the poor to land needed, in
most cases, for subsistence agriculture. This is further complicated by poverty in rural areas due to lack of
employment opportunities, the failing natural resource base, and lack of basic social services. As these
conditions worsen, the rural poor set out in search of other opportunities, with an increasing number heading to
coastal areas.
(b) Inappropriate Inland Resource/Land Use and Industrial Development, encompassing a broad
range of agricultural, urban and industrial development in inland watersheds that drain into
coastal areas; contamination of wetlands, lagoons and estuaries, whether directly or indirectly
impacting the MBRS (e.g., sedimentation, pollution/contamination, nutrification, habitat and
species/abundance changes, mass kills of organisms, etc.).
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Box 2. Existing Threats and Root Causes:
Inappropriate Inland Resource/Land Use and Industrial Development
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) represent the two greatest pollutant
loads entering the Wider Caribbean Region and MBRS, with TSS loads from rivers being one order of
magnitude higher than loads from industrial and urban/domestic sources discharged directly into coastal
waters. It is estimated that approximately 90 percent of all pesticides applied in the region do not reach their
targeted species, much of this lost to runoff into streams and eventually manifested in marine biota in coastal
waters. Likewise, approximately 2,500 gallons of liquid wastes are discharged from sugar refining and rum
distilling operations on the New River in Belize, contributing large organic loads and spent lubricants to the
Chetumal Bay. Of the 380 industries registered in the Sula Valley, the most industrialized area adjacent to the
MBRS and drained primarily by the Río Chamelecón, 150 are reported to have environmentally problematic
effluents.
The intermediate and root causes of the threats associated with inappropriate resources and land use and
industrial development in areas inland from the coasts can be distributed into two principal groups: (a) lack of
land-use and watershed management plans to guide environmentally-sound development, compounded by
limited regulations and local capacity to assess environmental impacts of development projects, especially
industrial enterprises and transport infrastructure, and subsidies favoring industrial development without
investments in environmental protection; and (b) lack of secure access to land, basic human services and
technical assistance to facilitate practice of appropriate land and resource-use techniques, leaving the rural
poor to migrate to upland watersheds and other areas incapable of supporting agricultural uses.
(c) Overfishing and Aquaculture Development, including industrial, artisanal, subsistence and
recreational fishing, and aquaculture in coastal areas and the real and potential impacts of species
and abundance change, local overfishing of selected species (e.g., grouper, jack, mackerel,
snapper and snook); and poaching of selected species (e.g., manatee and sea turtles); habitat
change/symbiosis imbalances; reduced subsistence and revenues from fisheries.
Box 3. Existing Threats and Root Causes: Overfishing and Aquaculture Development
Based on the results of FAO's 1994 Survey of the Wider Caribbean, 70 percent of the pelagic stocks and 60
percent of the demersal stocks were considered over-exploited. The over-dimensioned fishing fleets, especially
in Honduras where the number of industrial ships was 360 in 1996, places great fishing pressure on the
primary commercial species, especially as the ships now use more advanced navigation and fish-finding
equipment and some pull as many as four trawling nets.9 Species under the greatest pressure are lobster,
conch, shrimp and certain species of finfish (esp. grouper and large grazers), for which overall harvests have
been reduced by 60-75 percent based on catch-per-unit-effort since 1979 in Honduras and Belize, with similar
reductions noted in the rest of the MBRS. Utilization of illegal equipment and fishing methods, including use of
SCUBA for lobster and conch fishing, has led to excessive local depredation and reduction in stocks of key
commercial species.
Intermediate causes of the threats associated with overfishing can be found in large part in the lack of
compliance with existing national fisheries regulations and standards upheld in international conventions and
treaties. This can be attributed in part to lack of awareness of the impacts of overfishing and of the content of
the law by many artisanal fishers, and the zeal to increase catch and revenue of over-dimensioned industrial
fleets. The insufficient number and capability of government staff responsible for enforcement of fisheries
regulations is another intermediate cause. Furthermore, lack of valid data concerning abundance, reproduction
habits, and landings/harvest of species of fishes, molluscs and crustaceans, especially those under pressure,
restricts development of management plans and complicates enforcement of regulations. Regarding
9 The Honduras fleet consists of 128 shrimp trawlers, 181 lobster boats, 14 conch fishing boats
and 37 finfish boats.
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inappropriate aquaculture, intermediate causes are primarily those resulting in poor siting, construction and
operation of ponds, due to the lack of capacity of local professionals to execute EIAs and recommend
appropriate mitigating measures. Likewise, there have been few regulations promulgated to ensure
environmentally sound operation of aquaculture operations. For all threats associated with overfishing and
inappropriate aquaculture, the most important root cause is the lack of integrated fisheries policies and
management plans at the national level, and the MBRS region as a whole.
(d) Inappropriate Port, Shipping and Navigation Practices, including intentional and accidental
contamination of waters, reefs and beaches, physical reef damage, impacts to aquatic species and
fisheries (including mass kills), degradation of the tourism value of reefs and related coastal
environments, and related topics.
Box 4. Existing Threats and Root Causes:
Inappropriate Port, Shipping and Navigation Practices
More than 90 percent of commerce in the region is transported by oceangoing ships, making ports and
navigation of high economic development value, but also a focal point for real and potential threats to the
ecological health of the MBRS. Oil terminals in the area involve the transport of millions of gallons of petroleum
and derivatives through the MBRS region each month. Port and jetty construction and dredging associated with
channel and harbor maintenance results in increased sedimentation in seagrass beds and nearby coral reefs,
stressing and potentially smothering them. Redeposition of sediments may result in erosion of beaches and
accretion in navigation channels, estuaries and coastal lagoons, and may change flows in local currents and
flushing of bays and estuaries. Changes in coastal morphology may reduce defenses against storms and
actually instigate more damage from storm surge and flooding.
Inappropriate waste management practices on ships and in ports can result in nutrification and/or chemical
contamination of estuaries, bays, wetlands, reefs and sea-grass beds. Most ports have limited facilities to
receive solid and liquid wastes from ships, inducing many to dump their wastes directly into the sea. Wastes
dumped in inadequate landfills may make their way back to the coastal waters and beaches. Such spills can
cause fish kills as well as sublethal impacts. As solid and liquid wastes float ashore, they foul beaches,
represent human health hazards and reduce aesthetics important to the tourism industry.
Intermediate causes of threats include lack of awareness of the impacts of ports, deficient regulations and
limited local capacity to assess environmental impacts of port projects. This is compounded by the lack of
baseline information on coastal resources and currents. The lack of overall integrated coastal and port-specific
management plans, contingency plans for rapid responses to shipping emergencies and spills and equipment
to handle them also poses threats to both shipping and the environment. The lack of waste management
facilities in ports relegates ships to disposal at sea. Root causes include the lack of institutional capacity to
properly manage port operations and shipping, as authority is distributed among various agencies and too little
investment provided to maintain and/or upgrade port facilities and train port personnel.
(e) Natural Oceanographic and Climato-Meteorological Phenomena, with regard to the influence of
currents and winds, El Niño/La Niña events, increased frequency and amplitude of tropical
storms, global warming, earthquakes and tsunamis, and their potential cumulative effect. The
devastation attributed to Hurricane Mitch, following massive bleaching of coral reefs associated
with an intense El Niño episode in the summer of 1998, is one such example. Bleaching affected
all reefs in Belize, particularly in the lagoon area, where up to 90 percent mortality was detected.
Box 5. Existing Threats: Natural Oceanographic and Climato-Meteorological Phenomena
Oceanographic and climato-meteorological features are permanent phenomena in nature, however their
increased frequency and intensity, now thought to be associated with climate change, represent serious threats
to both human and biological coastal communities. Settlements and development infrastructure are exposed to
greater risk as a result of increased storm damage and flooding. More frequent and sustained increases in sea
surface temperatures like those associated with recent El Niño events, also puts coral reefs--already near or
at their critical thermal maxima--at much greater risk. The MBRS's increasing exposure to anthropogenic
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stress may lower the resilience of its communities to such "natural disturbance." Bleaching, reduced
calcification rates and increased vulnerability to diseases among corals are all potential outcomes of major
shifts in the periodicity and amplitude of atmospheric and oceanographic phenomena. Continuous monitoring
of these phenomena and of physical and biological indicators of coral reef health, with be essential to
assessing the long-term vulnerability of the MBRS to system-wide changes in oceanographic and atmospheric
conditions that exceed historic levels of variation in these states.
6. The TRCA indicated that two transboundary subregions, the Chetumal Bay in the border region
of Mexico and Belize and the Gulf of Honduras shared by Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras are the
principal foci of the majority of known and/or potential threats and their impacts to the ecological health
of the MBRS, with most of the intermediate and root causes of the threats occurring therein.
Unfortunately, not enough is known about the ecology of the reefs nor their recovery potential to
adequately assess the long-term impact of these forms of stress on the viability of the ecosystem nor the
costs to human populations of the potential losses associated with them.
7. The broad development goals of the four participating countries focus on economic growth,
improving the effectiveness of the public sector, poverty alleviation and improved natural resource
management. The Project supports these goals through promoting sustainable use of natural resources and
generation of sustained benefit flows from coastal and marine resources to poor, rural communities, as
well as training of government officials in improved methods for planning and management of resources.
Baseline Scenario
8. Scope. On June 5, 1997, the Presidents of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras and the Prime
Minister of Belize signed the "Declaration of Tulum" in which they acknowledged the global biological,
economic and cultural importance of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in relation to the region's future, the
seriousness of the threats facing this unique system, and the urgent need to initiate actions to counter these
threats. The four nations' leaders committed themselves to initiate a process of active collaboration
between the four countries to prepare and implement an Action Plan for the conservation of the MBRS.
9. In June 1997, the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD),
representing the three Central American countries bordering the MBRS, and which includes Mexico as an
observer, approached the World Bank requesting support for the design of strategies and projects at the
regional and national levels for conservation and sustainable use of the MBRS. With financial support
from the Global Environment Facility and technical support from the World Bank, IUCN, and WWF, the
four countries drafted an Action Plan for the management of the MBRS. The Action Plan includes the
following major elements: (a) integrated land use planning; (b) research/monitoring, education and
information dissemination; (c) establishment of marine protected areas; (d) promotion of sustainable
tourism efforts; (e) maintenance of water quality and pollution prevention; (f) capacity building:
institutional strengthening, participatory management and financial sustainability; (g) harmonization and
implementation of robust legal frameworks; (h) fulfillment of international agreements; and (i) regional
coordination in the implementation of the Action Plan. The Action Plan provides the basis for a
comprehensive program of regional and national level activities aimed at safeguarding the integrity and
productivity of the MBRS and ensuring the social and environmental sustainability of benefits derived
from it now and in the future.
10. line with the 1999 Action Plan, concerns over increasing threats to biodiversity in particular have
prompted the four participating governments to carry out work on National Biodiversity and Actions
Plans (BSAPs) with assistance from UNDP/GEF. These BSAPs have identified challenges to the
conservation and wise use of biological resources, including the effectiveness of laws and institutions.
Priority areas for work include identification of unsustainable natural resource use and the impacts of
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such practices on national and regional ecosystems and species threatened with extinction. Solutions to
address such problems include among others more effective enforcement of existing laws and
regulations, strengthening of existing protected areas and creation of new protected areas where necessary
and resources permit, improved land management and broader participation of responsible governmental
and nongovernmental organizations in natural resource management.
11. mplishing the above-mentioned development priorities and in particular those related to the
Action Plan in the four participating countries will require upgraded capacity and quality of government
institutions addressing coastal and marine resource management, policy harmonization, and programs
targeted towards sustainable income generation, particularly for the rural poor. The following discussion
of the Baseline Scenario activities is divided as follows: (a) activities financed strictly by government
resources; (b) activities financed by multilateral institutions10; (c) activities financed by bilateral donors;
and (d) activities financed by nongovernmental organizations.
12. Nationally financed activities. Activities at the national level in the four participating countries
relating to policing of coastal and marine resources; enforcement of environmental laws; promulgation of
policies regarding fisheries laws and water quality; physical sampling and monitoring of water quality
related to nutrient loads and coastal and marine pollution; as well as participation in regional working
groups relating to coral reef monitoring, fisheries management (e.g., CARICOM Fisheries Resource
Assessment and Management Program), or other public sector activities directly related to coastal and
marine resources management in the MBRS region total approximately US$4.5 million over the next five
years, including: Government of Mexico, US$1.5 million; Government of Belize, US$1.5 million;
Government of Guatemala, US$0.5 million; and Government of Honduras, US$1.0 million.
13. Internationally financed activities: Regional. GEF-financed activities in the four participating
countries are extensive. With assistance from the Global Environment Facility, the United Nations
Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme, and bilateral donors, the
Central American Commission on Environment and Development is executing the regional program to
consolidate the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC). Additionally, the Inter-American
Development Bank has begun discussions with the Governments of Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras
with respect to a project to control transboundary pollution in the Gulf of Honduras.
14. Internationally financed activities: Mexico. The Government of Mexico is presently preparing a
Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC) Project to address terrestrial biodiversity concerns and to forge
critical links between terrestrial and marine corridors through the protection of biological corridors
linking natural habitats, increase environmental education and awareness, and improve land use in
watersheds draining into the Caribbean Sea. One of the proposed corridors links Calakmul Biosphere
Reserve in Chiapas with Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, a priority protected area along the coast of
Quintana Roo.
15. Internationally financed activities: Honduras. The Mexico MBC project is complemented by a
national initiative in Honduras to conserve biodiversity in protected areas. The World
Bank/UNDP/GEF/Government of Honduras: Biodiversity in Priority Areas Project is working to protect
the integrity of natural systems in priority protected areas; along Honduras' north coast and southernmost
10. Activities financed by the Global Environmental Facility are mentioned in this analysis to indicate the full extent
of activities underway in the region; nonetheless, they are not considered as part of financing of the Baseline
Scenario. Furthermore, the four participating countries are in the final stages of Enabling Activities for Biodiversity
with the support from the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Development Programme. Under the
Baseline Scenario, it is expected that the four countries will complete national Biodiversity Strategies and Action
Plans, assessing the status of biological resources and identifying options for managing important biodiversity.
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region of the MBRS, the project is supporting protected areas management in four protected areas: Punta
Sal, Punta Izopo, Cuero y Salado, and Pico Bonito.
16. The Government of Honduras/Inter-American Development Bank Bay Islands Project aims to
promote sustainable development in the Bay Islands of Honduras, a part of the MBRS, through
strengthening the capacity of local institutions responsible for natural resources management, establishing
a large Marine Protected Area surrounding the Bay Islands, improving environmental quality through
waste management and water quality monitoring, and supporting environmental education and outreach.
The estimated contribution to the Baseline Scenario for project activities totals US$24 million.
17. Baseline activities within the Government of Honduras/World Bank Social Investment Fund and
the Government of Honduras/Inter-American Development Bank Secondary Cities Project will promote
improved resource management, improved access to social services (e.g., water and sanitation) and
income generation for the poor in secondary cities along the Caribbean coast of Honduras (e.g., La Ceiba,
Tela, Trujillo). As part of significantly larger projects, the estimated contribution to the Baseline Scenario
for activities in the above-mentioned areas totals US$7.5 million.
18. The proposed Government of Honduras/World Bank Sustainable Tourism Project is designed to
help Honduras lay the foundation for sustainable growth in the tourism sector over the next three years
by: (a) developing a national strategy for sustainable tourism along the North Coast, which includes
zoning and land use planning for development of sub-regional tourism development plans; (b)
strengthening capacity in coastal municipalities to discharge their responsibilities in the area of
environmental assessment and planning and managing the development of their coastal and marine
resources for tourism and other economic activities; (c) designing and delivering training programs in
good practice and international codes of conduct in the tourism industry, tailored to the needs of
nongovernmental organizations, small business enterprises and commercial tourism operators, as well as
developing a voluntary environmental rating and certification program for private sector businesses,
tourism destinations and private nature reserves; and (d) promoting and testing innovative public-private
partnerships in line with principles of environmentally and socially sustainable tourism in coastal
communities throughout the project area. The latter will encourage the participation of indigenous and
other economically disadvantaged groups as key beneficiaries under the project. The estimated
contribution to the Baseline Scenario for project activities totals US$4 million.
19. Internationally financed activities: Belize. In Belize, the second phase of the Government of
Belize/UNDP/GEF Conservation of the Belize Barrier Reef Complex Project is focusing on national
priorities, including improving management of fisheries, marine environment and tourism sectors through
zoning and land use planning; consolidation of designated Marine Protected Areas; development of
environmental policies; establishment of environmental monitoring systems; promotion of sustainable
tourism and introduction of cost recovery mechanisms for marine conservation and management. While
there are synergies between the national effort and the proposed MBRS Regional Project, the latter will
focus almost exclusively on transboundary issues. Three mid-sized projects are serving to support
terrestrial biodiversity conservation in the northern, central, and southern portions of Belize. One of these,
involving the protected area at Sarstoon-Temash, will provide the basis for linking improved natural
resource management in agricultural productive activities with conservation efforts by indigenous
communities. The MSP focus on these terrestrial habitats will provide the opportunity to improve
management of the coastal interface in this highly sensitive transboundary area. Finally, several
communities have received grants through the UNDP/GEF Small Grants program to protect coastal and
marine resources (e.g., Laughing Bird Caye National Park Project; Slackchwe Habitat Enhancement
Project).
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20. The Government of Belize/Inter-American Development Bank Tourism Development Project
aims to increase employment opportunities, foreign exchange earnings, and government revenues in a
manner that is environmentally and culturally sustainable. The project will develop and conserve major
Mayan archaeological sites; improve access to key tourist areas; protect the barrier reef by seeking
solutions to growing problems with water supply and sewage treatment on Caye Caulker; increase the
quantity and quality of basic tourism services; and improve the effectiveness of key institutions in the
tourism sector through institutional strengthening. The estimated contribution to the Baseline Scenario for
project activities totals US$1.8 million.
21. Additional national-level activities in the region financed with support from international
financial institutions or bilateral assistance include:
(a) USAID-financed activities supporting community-based management of coastal and marine
resources and capacity building of local NGOs include the Mexico Coastal Program in Quintana
Roo (US$2.0 million) and the Regional Environment Program for Central America:
PROARCA/COSTAS, implemented with support from WWF, The Nature Conservancy, and the
University of Rhode Island Center for Coastal Resources (US$3.5 million). Within the MBRS
region, the latter supports capacity building and empowerment of local communities in the
development of strategies for the sustainable use of coastal resources focusing on pilot areas in
Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.
(b) Smaller bilateral initiatives include: EU financing of a CZM plan in Belize, including
establishment of a Coastal Advisory Committee (US$0.7 million); sustainable fisheries
development in the Caribbean Basin, supported by the CARICOM nations, through the Caribbean
Fisheries Resource Assessment and Management Project (CFRAMP) (US$5 million).
22. NGO Financed Activities: Activities financed by international nongovernmental organizations
include the WWF Mesoamerican Reef System Ecoregion Project. As part of its Global 200 Ecoregions
Campaign, WWF is in the process of launching a new effort for the Mesoamerican Caribbean Reef Eco-
Region, which plans to focus on a biological assessment of the broader marine ecosystem and to
determine priority interventions for treating root causes of resource degradation from a biodiversity
conservation perspective. These activities are being developed in close collaboration and as co-financing
for the proposed GEF Project. WWF co-financed activities include: mobilizing a constituency and tools
for conservation at the regional ecosystem level; mapping key habitats, ecosystems and biogeographic
features of the ecoregion to identify hotspots and priorities for conservation; protecting key sites and
wildlife populations; shaping regional development to support ecosystem conservation; and establishing
long-term conditions and strengthening human resource capacity needed to sustain conservation. The
estimated contribution to baseline scenario for WWF project activities totals $3 million.
23. There are numerous ongoing international and regional programs providing technical assistance
in coastal resources assessment, monitoring and capacity building. These include the Caribbean Coastal
Marine Productivity Programme (CARICOMP) and the UNEP-coordinated Caribbean Environment
Programme (CEP). The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, a program of the International Coral
Reef Initiative, is operating in the Caribbean through several sub-nodes. Nascent monitoring efforts along
the coast of Central America have been initiated by government, academic and NGO institutions. These
could be significantly enhanced, however, by the GEF supported Project under the monitoring and EIS
component as a GCRMN sub-node for the Western Caribbean. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission/ Sub-commission for the Caribbean is coordinating support to countries in the Wider
Caribbean Region to ratify and adopt actions under the protocols of the Cartagena Convention and
supports scientific research, training and monitoring of oceanographic, fisheries and biological diversity
parameters.
Annex 3
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24. Finally, the Nature Conservancy, FOCADES (the Environment Fund of Central America), RODA
(Red de Organizaciones de Derecho Ambiental, Guatemala), and IUCN's Wetlands program are
sponsoring an Ecoregional Study of Marine Biodiversity in an effort to set priorities for marine
conservation. The Wildlife Conservation Society is financing marine environmental education,
awareness, and dissemination as well as maintaining a research facility on Glovers Reef atoll in Belize.
The Canadian College Partnership Program is working with the University College of Belize to develop
capacity for watershed and water quality monitoring. The Mellon Foundation together with The Nature
Conservancy is financing oceanographic and hydrological research to determine water circulation and
material dispersion in the Gulf of Honduras.
25. Smaller, complementary initiatives which promote conservation, policy reform, public awareness
and community participation in the management of coastal and marine resources in the four MBRS
countries include activities carried out by: Amigos de Sian Ka'an (Southern Quintana Roo Integrated
Coastal Zone Management Project; Mexico); Amigos de Isla Contoy A.C. (Mexico); Asociados Náuticos
y Subacuáticos de Isla Mujeres A.C. (Mexico); communities surrounding Bacalar Chico National
Park/Marine Reserve; Belize Audubon Society with The Summit Foundation (Belize); Friends of
Laughing Bird Caye (Belize); FUNDAECO (Belize); Toledo Institute for Environment and Development
(Belize); La Alianza Trinacional del Golfo de Honduras (Guatemala); the Bay Islands Conservation
Association (Honduras); Fundación Calentura Guaymoreto (Honduras); Fundación Cuero Salado
(Honduras); Fundación Parque Nacional Pico Bonito (Honduras); Fundación Parque Lanatia, Punta Sal y
Texigua (Honduras), and Coral Reef Fund for Cayos Cochinos (Honduras). The total cost of activities
financed by national and international nongovernmental organizations identified above is approximately
US$10 million over the next five years.
26. Costs. The cost of Baseline Scenario investments in the four participating countries totals US$63
million. Of these resources, approximately US$32.3 million is directed towards environmental protection
in coastal and marine areas; US$5.6 million for the establishment and/or strengthening of marine
protected areas; US$3.5 million for environmental information management; US$16.4 million for
sustainable use activities; US$5.0 million for environmental education and public awareness of coastal-
and marine-related issues; and $0.2 million for periodic regional consultations and limited coordination
within the framework of the Declaration of Tulum.
27. Benefits. Implementation of the Baseline Scenario will result in increased environmental
protection in select areas, improved wastewater treatment and concomitant improvement in water quality,
introduction of safeguards in select municipalities to protect important resources from over-development,
increased capacity of public sector entities and nongovernmental organizations to manage coastal and
marine resources, increased access by local communities for sustainable generation of incomes, and
increased awareness of threats to coastal and marine ecosystems in the four participating countries. The
Baseline Scenario does not include any program or financial support to promote management of the
MBRS as a system to address transboundary issues.
GEF Alternative
28. Scope. There are many potential synergies between various national efforts identified in the
Baseline Scenario and this proposed regional effort. The GEF Alternative will build on the Baseline
Scenario specifically by: strengthening existing and creating new marine reserves in transboundary areas
which contain representative examples of coastal and/or marine ecosystems; developing and
implementing a regional MBRS monitoring and environmental information system involving
standardized protocols for collecting, analyzing and accessing data among the four participating
countries; identifying and disseminating international best practice in sustainable tourism and shared
fisheries management and promoting its adoption among the four countries to reduce non-sustainable
Annex 3
Page 10 of 13
patterns of economic exploitation of environmental resources within the MBRS; increasing local and
national capacity for environmental management through education, information sharing and training; and
enhancing regional cooperation in the management of a regional public good by creating an enabling
environment for the harmonization of national policies and regulations related to the management of
coastal and marine resources and the institutional arrangements to ensure coordination across the four
countries in implementation of agreed measures for conservation and sustainable use of this
transboundary marine ecosystem.
29. With respect to the Marine Protected Areas component, site selection criteria for incremental
financing was based on the significance of the protected area with respect to contributing to MBRS
ecosystem characteristics, diversity and processes. The majority of the MPAs are located in the two
transboundary areas of the MBRS. In the transboundary areas themselves, there are several MPAs that are
separated by national boundaries and managed as separate units. Two of these bi-national MPA
complexes, situated in the Mexico-Belize and Belize-Guatemala transboundary areas respectively, will be
assisted through the Project with the additional objective of promoting a regional approach to their
management. Selection of the remaining MPAs, in addition to the aforementioned criteria, was made with
the intent to ensure a spatially dispersed pattern of protected areas loosely connecting the Project's two
transboundary areas.
30. Through the Regional Environmental Information System (REIS) component, the GEF
Alternative will provide the basic framework to guide the collection, processing, distribution and
utilization of data which will promote improved management of the MBRS, and supply incremental
resources to individuals and organizations carrying out data collection. The REIS will support a reliable
database that can help to inform management decisions. For instance, ecological linkages between reefs,
other marine environments and coastal watersheds are mediated, partially or entirely, by water flow.
However, despite the importance of water currents in transporting nutrients, pollutants, and reproductive
products across ecosystem and national boundaries, there is a dearth of data on the region's current
regime and its influence on the status and processes of MBRS reefs and other critical ecosystems. Nor is
there sufficient information related to the complex patterns of reproduction, larval dispersal, and
recruitment of corals, fish, and other important reef components; patterns which depend on the complex
interaction of water flow and larval behavior. These critical data needs will be supported through the
MBRS Project.
31. Furthermore, the GEF Alternative will support pilot activities, increase institutional capacity
through regional training activities, and interpret and disseminate information on status and trends in the
health of the MBRS to guide policymaking. Through greater awareness of downstream impacts of
development activities on the health of the MBRS, tools and mechanisms to support good practice, and
alternatives livelihood options based on sound use, the Project will help create incentives for stakeholders
to shift toward more sustainable use of MBRS resources. The Threat and Root Cause Analysis conducted
during Project preparation indicated a lack of public awareness of the significance of the MBRS and the
issues that need to be addressed to ensure its sustainability. A critical element to developing the political
will and policies required to manage the MBRS will be building the necessary public support to catalyze
change. The GEF Alternative will increase environmental awareness among a variety of stakeholders and
promote the development of human capacity to change practices that are detrimental to the MBRS.
Finally, the GEF Alternative will support regional coordination through a Project management structure
that includes a Regional Steering Committee made up of representatives of CCAD, the multi-stakeholder
National Barrier Reef Committees in each country and ex-officio members of donor institutions; a
Technical Advisory Group to support them; and Regional Technical Working Groups that will design and
oversee implementation of agreed interventions on the ground to protect the ecological integrity of the
MBRS.
Annex 3
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32. Costs. The total cost of the GEF Alternative is estimated at US$77.3 million, detailed as follows:
(a) increased environmental management and protection - US$32.3million (GEF financing: US$0.0
million); (b) consolidation of a representative system of Marine Protected Areas through support for
planning, management and biodiversity monitoring US$10.5 (GEF financing: US$2.5 million); (c)
development of a Regional Environmental Information System US$8.0 million (GEF financing: US$3.0
million); (d) promotion of sustainable uses of the MBRS US$18.0 million (GEF financing: US$1.5
million); (e) expansion of environmental education programs and increased public awareness US$6.5
million (GEF financing - US$1.3 million); and (e) regional coordination and management US$2.0
million (GEF financing - US$1.8 million).
33. Benefits. Implementation of the GEF Alternative would enhance protection of vulnerable and
unique marine ecosystems of the second longest barrier reef in the world and assist the four participating
countries to strengthen and coordinate national policies, regulations, and institutional arrangements for
marine ecosystem conservation and sustainable use. Benefits generated from this comprehensive
approach would include those classified as "national"--increased sustainability of natural resource use,
greater stability in long term revenues from enhanced natural capital, and increased public awareness of
environment and natural resource issues--as well as those considered "global" in nature. Global benefits
include the conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity; protection of the ecological integrity of
critical marine ecosystems; a regional system of marine/coastal protected areas which guarantees
representation of all ecosystems present in the region, as well as functionality and stability of the MBRS;
and outreach to and involvement of local communities and local governments in managing natural
resources.
Incremental Costs
34. The difference between the cost of the Baseline Scenario (US$63.0 million) and the cost of the
GEF Alternative (US$77.3 million) is estimated at US$14.3 million. This represents the incremental cost
for achieving global environmental benefits through developing integrated management plans for the
sustainable use of coastal and marine ecosystems and the diverse resources, goods and services they
provide; strengthening local and national capacity for environmental management through education,
information sharing and training; standardizing ecosystem monitoring and facilitating its execution and
dissemination of results throughout the region; strengthening institutions and programs for maintenance
of water quality and prevention of contamination, particularly in transboundary situations; and
establishing transnational coordination and cooperation mechanisms for harmonization of policies related
to the conservation and sustainable use of the MBRS. A GEF grant of US$10.1 million is proposed at this
time; an additional US$4.2 million has been committed by participating governments, non-governmental
organizations and local communities in support for the Project.
35. Process of Agreement: Cost sharing among participating countries, the GEF, and other
stakeholders has been a topic of analysis and discussion throughout the preparation process. The current
financing plan and proposed incremental cost support from GEF was reviewed and agreed at the most
recent inter-governmental workshop for MBRS project preparation in Tulum (April 2000).
Annex 3
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Incremental Cost Matrix
Component
Cost
US$
Domestic Benefit
Global Benefit
Sector
Category
Million
A. Environmental
Baseline
32.3
Increased environmental
Management and
protection in select areas.
Protection
Improved water quality and
wastewater treatment/sanitation
in coastal communities. Reduced
water pollution in coastal areas,
allowing for increased uses of
coastal and marine resources.
Increased public sector capacity
to manage natural resource base.
With GEF
32.3
Same as above.
Alternative
Incremental
0
B. Planning,
Baseline
5.6
On-going management of coastal
Some MPAs exist but they are not sufficient
Management, and
and marine protected areas.
to conserve coastal and marine biodiversity,
Monitoring of
Limited support for co-
particularly in transboundary areas.
Representative
management of MPAs.
MPAs
With GEF
10.5
Representative system of Marine Protected
Alternative
Areas (MPAs) supported with management
plans and basic infrastructure. Increased
management capacity for MPAs. Increased
support for co-management of MPAs,
allowing meaningful contribution from civil
society. Increased transboundary
cooperation in policy, protection, and
management of MPAs.
Incremental
4.9
Note: Participating countries and stakeholders will provide an additional US$2.4
million to this component.
C. Regional
Baseline
3.5
Biophysical monitoring within
Monitoring
select marine and coastal areas
Program and
of participating countries.
Environmental
Information
System
With GEF
8
Establishment of coordinated information
Alternative
system to organize and manage data in
support of improved decision-making.
Increased collection and analysis of
information vital for conserving coastal and
marine biodiversity, including monitoring of
coral reef ecosystem health and factors
affecting it. Increased pollution monitoring,
including transboundary aspects of point
and non-point source pollution.
Incremental
4.5
Note: Participating countries and stakeholders will provide an additional US$1.5
million to this component.
D. Promotion of
Baseline
16.4
Support for activities targeted at
Sustainable Uses
promoting sustainable coastal
of the MBRS
and marine tourism in select
areas. Increased opportunity for
income generation for coastal
communities. Increased planning
and management capacity at
local level for sustainable coastal
and marine resource
management. Increased
generation of resources derived
from sustainable management
within tourism sector.
Annex 3
Page 13 of 13
Component
Cost
US$
Domestic Benefit
Global Benefit
Sector
Category
Million
With GEF
18.0
Increased opportunities for income
Alternative
generation and equitable benefit sharing
based upon sustainable uses of coastal and
marine resources. Best practice guidelines
for marine ecotourism identified and
promoted. Establishment of a joint
commission on regional fisheries
management. Increased local involvement
in transnational management of fisheries
resources.
Incremental
1.6
Note: Participating countries will provide an additional US$0.1 million to this
component.
E. Environmental
Baseline
5.0
Increased awareness of
Education and
environmental issues. Increased
Increased Public
capacity and empowerment of
Awareness
local communities regarding
management of local resources.
With GEF
6.5
Increased public awareness of issues
Alternative
related to coastal and marine ecosystem
conservation and management. Meaningful
participation of local stakeholders and
participatory schemes for sustainable
natural resource management.
Incremental
1.5
Note: Participating countries and stakeholders will provide an additional US$0.2
million to this component.
F. Program
Baseline
0.2
Periodic regional consultations
Management
and coordination within the
framework of the Tulum
Declaration.
With GEF
2.0
Mechanism and institutional framework
Alternative
established for regional coordination.
Increased coordination of public and private
sector activities aimed at managing marine
and coastal areas and globally significant
biodiversity, particularly in transboundary
areas.
Effective management of investments
aimed at long-term conservation and
sustainable use of globally significant
biodiversity.
Incremental
1.8
Totals
Baseline
63.0
With GEF
77.3
Alternative
Total
14.3
Participating countries and stakeholders will provide US$4.2 million in additional
Increment
financing.
GEF
10.1
Increment
Annex 4
Page 1 of 7
Central America Commission on Environment and Development
Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System
Annex 4
A. STAP Reviewer's Comments
Review of the Draft GEF Project Appraisal Document for the Conservation and
Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System
The project is important, ambitious, very necessary and subject to external risks arising outside
the immediate scope and control of the project design or operations.
Revisions to the project design in the past year have clarified the context in respect of other
activities in the area. They have also addressed issues of communication and coordination
particularly in the context of the workshop convened in June 1999 at the request of CCAD to
draft an Action Pan for the MBRS.
I consider that there is evidence of high level commitment to coordination within and beyond the
immediate components of the project and that this commitment should reduce the external risk to
an acceptable level.
A project of this nature is essential to attempts to secure the future maintenance and wellbeing of
the reefs and associated ecosystems of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Region. The work done to
develop the project to this stage has involved substantial development of trust and recognition of
transboundary issues which have to be addressed collaboratively.
I consider that it is important that the project proceed because it is important to maintain
momentum to build on the basis of shared recognition of problems and acceptance of the need to
find solutions.
Comments on project specifics are provided separately below.
RA Kenchington
7 June 2000
Annex 4
Page 2 of 7
Review Project Specifics
Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS)
(a) Key issues
(i) Scientific and technical soundness of the project
The project is scientifically and technically sound.
(ii) Identification of the global environmental benefits and/or drawbacks of
the project
The project has immense global environments. The MBRS is an important but endangered
ecosystem which is likely to deteriorate seriously over coming decades if measures such as those
contained in the proposal are not put in place.
How the project fits within the context of the goals of GEF, as well as its operational strategies,
programme priorities, GEF Council guidance and the provisions of the relevant conventions
The project fits clearly within the biodiversity and oceans goals of the GEF. It is a priority area
and has strong links with CBD, CITES and LOS.
(iii) Regional context
This is a regional project with highest level support of the participating countries Belize,
Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. The MBRS is a system of global importance and is a
significant part of the heritage, biodiversity and natural resource base of coastal communities of
Mesoamerica.
(iv) Replicability of the project (added value for the global environment
beyond the project itself)
The project is an example of the approach being fostered by the International Coral Reef
Initiative of addressing the conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs and related
ecosystems at the regional scale. Success in this project will provide important working
examples for the global community.
(v) Sustainability of the project
The aim of the project is to build a sustainable basis for conservation and resource use. There is
highest level commitment of the governments. The project has elements of risk in that it will
involve the development and implementation of sustainable multisectoral management at the
local, national and regional level. The design recognises and seeks to address that risk through a
number of community, consultative and educational measures.
In the case of targeted research projects, it will be necessary to address the issue of the extent to
which the project will contribute to the improved definition and implementation of GEF's
strategies and policies, thus paving the way for more effective international, technical
cooperation, assistance and investment projects.
Annex 4
Page 3 of 7
The project as a whole addresses fundamental issues in definition and implementation of GEF
strategies and the achievement of international goals for conservation and sustainable resource
use at the ecosystem and political regional scale. The risk has been mentioned above. The long
term viability of the strategies will depend on achieving success stories which can demonstrate
the benefits and so reduce the risk of failure or disinclination to address sustainability.
(b) Secondary issues
(i) Linkages to other focal areas
(ii) Linkages to other programmes and action plans at regional or sub-regional
levels
The project has a large number of linkages to national, aid funded and NGO programs in all four
countries. These are detailed in Annex 6 (Threat and Root Cause Analysis) Matrix 3.
(iii) Other beneficial or damaging environmental effects
The project if successful will lead to an understanding and acceptance in the local and national
financial communities of the high social and economic costs of environmental failure and of
attempts to restore damaged environments. If this is the case there should be increased resistance
to attempts to pursue developments which promise short term bounty but do not address and
fully integrate the short, medium and long term social and environmental costs.
(iv) Degree of involvement of stakeholders in the project
The development of the project design has involved extensive work with stakeholders in the
community, professional agencies and governments of the four countries. The design includes a
number of mechanisms intended to maintain and further develop this approach.
(v) Capacity-building aspects
This is directly addressed in the project design with a sound range of training targets for staff
involved as well as training trainers, community educators and teachers to provide the basis for
ongoing capacity building.
Innovativeness of the project
The project is ambitious and innovative in that it is dealing at the ecosystem scale with a shared
natural heritage and resource base in a situation with four regional governments of nations at
differing stages of economic development.
(c) Specific Comments on MBRS PAD
B. Strategic Context key performance indicators
I suggest that something be added to promote public recognition also of the importance of the
fundamental but vulnerable natural economic resource for the people of the region
Annex 4
Page 4 of 7
(i) Component 2. Regional EIS
A related point but if the EIS is to address the processes which influence reef integrity it should
clearly be seen to comprehend information on levels of use, opportunities and social and
economic benefits from uses. If the EIS doesn't itself have such information it will need
guaranteed access links to get it. The concern is to ensure that the MBRS is seen as a core part of
social and economic life and not as a quasi cultural or aesthetic property which is the concern of
science and foreign environmentalists.
(ii) Other comments
P 14. Benefits and target population third dot point. It is important to address the local
populations currently dependent etc but as things develop it will also be important to look at the
larger scales of national and regional costs and benefits. The locals are unlikely to get into high-
volume low-impact tourism, indeed they may be disadvantaged or displaced by it but the overall
benefits at the national level and in terms of foreign earnings and at the national and international
level in terms of conservation outcomes. The trick is to ensure that the interests or stake of the
locals are taken into account in the overall cost benefit of any changed usage pattern.
P 15. reference to other projects - Be sure to coordinate with UNEP and other partners in the
identification of demonstration sites to be supported under the Caribbean regional program of the
International Coral Reef Network (ICRAN)'s Strategic Framework. There are clear opportunities
for synergy between the two projects here in terms of MPA management training, monitoring
and information exchange.
P 17 Indications of borrower commitment, para 3. The signatory status of the countries with
respect to IMO conventions would be clearer in a table where all could see. This may generate
some valuable peer pressure on those project participant countries which have not yet ratified the
treaties.
P 21 Sustainability. Para 1 Could usefully reflect the usefulness of transboundary economic
analysis and regional solidarity where the countries trade with the same buyers (eg cruise ship operators)
and may be tempted or induced into trading environmental compliance standards for short term economic
returns.
Annex 5, Matrix 3 (Current and Planned Regional Projects/Programs Relevant to the MBRS
I found this very helpful. It certainly indicates the complexity and the scope of coordination.
Annex 5, Matrix 2 (Main Transboundary Threats and Actions Proposed)
Cruise shipping may also be worth mentioning as a transboundary threat. The experience of the last 2
years has shown us that the companies have yet to demonstrate that they can set and maintain acceptable
environmental standards. Indeed it seems to be "smart business" to pressure to achieve exemptions from
environmental standards and charges! That may not play well in Miami but given court cases in New
York we should pressure them to meet standards or ship out!
(iii) Information Deficiencies and Gaps Affecting the Threat and Root Cause
Analysis
Annex 4
Page 5 of 7
Ecological. In addition to the Reef check etc there is a case for monitoring recruitments of fish and corals
which are highly variable from year to year and are probably an important factor in resilience.
Tourism. Also useful to monitor levels of visitor expectation, visitor satisfaction and the direct impacts of
tourism.
RA Kenchington
7 June 2000
Annex 4
Page 6 of 7
B. Response to the STAP Reviewer's Comments
The project team has reviewed the STAP reviewer's comments and found them to be very
supportive of the project overall. Suggested revisions to the design of specific activities and
project performance indicators will be incorporated during the final stages of project preparation
into the final project document. This will be part of a larger effort to sharpen the expected
project outcomes in terms of performance benchmarks and indicators of progress toward
achieving objectives on the ground. Based on these results, not only will project success be
measured, but the replicability of specific outcomes determined for scaling up within and outside
the region.
Response to Specific Comments:
1. Regional EIS (Component 2) and Stakeholder Benefits. The final design of the EIS will be
developed by the regional technical working groups in a series of workshops, facilitated by
technical specialists in Coral Reef EIS. There is now a large body of literature on the types of
monitoring and information indicators that need to be included in EIS, to assess socio-economic
aspects relating to the sustainability of Coral Reef Ecosystems. These are directly related to the
earlier point of ensuring that the public is aware of the economic importance and benefits derived
from the MBRS, as well as the impacts that use activities may have on the viability of the
system. These types of indicators will be discussed in the regional workshops to develop the
data sets that will be included in the MBRS Regional Monitoring and Information System. The
overall intent is to develop a user-friendly information system that is of use not only to scientists,
but to inform decision making and create a solid constituency in support of measure to conserve
an outstanding marine resource.
2.. Coordination with ICRAN. There is an ongoing exchange of information between the
MBRS Project Team and the partners (e.g., UNEP, WCMC, UNF) developing the International
Coral Reef Action Framework (ICRAN). A review of the draft ICRAN Strategic Framework by
the TTL indicated where synergies may exist between the MBRS project and the proposed
Caribbean Regional Program of ICRAN. These include the selection of demonstration sites in
the Western Caribbean, MPA management training, monitoring and information dissemination.
This dialogue will continue through the Bank's active partnership in ICRI (International Coral
Reef Initiative) and ongoing exchanges at the technical level on activities under its sponsorship.
3. References to Cruise Shipping and the need to adopt uniform standards in the region
related to Port State Control, waste management, waste reception are other commitments under
MARPOL may be taken up on an issue by issue basis through the Policy Working Group, as well
as the Sustainable Tourism Working Group, through dissemination of codes of conduct and
design of a regional environmental certification scheme for sustainable tourism enterprises.
However, it is likely that many of these issues will be more readily addressed under a
complementary regional initiative to control Maritime and Marine Pollution in the Gulf of
Honduras, by the IDB with assistance from the GEF.
Annex 4
Page 7 of 7
4. Monitoring Tourism Impacts could be integrated into activities under the Sustainable Use
Component related to carrying capacity assessments for tourism and criteria for the design of
environmental certification programs in this sector.
Annex 5
Page 1 of 14
Central America Commission on Environment and Development
Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System
ANNEX 5
THREAT AND ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS
Matrix 1: Main Threats to the Ecological Health of the MBRS and their Root Causes and Actions Proposed to Address Them
Threat
Proposed Actions
National Initiatives
Regional Initiatives
A. Coastal/Island Development and Unsustainable Tourism
1. Urbanization at Inappropriate Sites in a. Participatory development and implementation of land-use plans and
i. Technical assistance and training in the preparation and enforcement
Coastal Areas without Adequate
zoning based on economic, social, cultural and environmental
of land-use and zoning plans; promote the use of habitat mapping
Environmental Engineering and
parameters, preferably at the subregional level; including the
among parameters used to determine zoning, land use and biodiversity
Management Practices
establishment and active co-management of reserves.
conservation through establishment of system of coastal and marine
protected areas (MPAs).
b. Development of sector-specific guidelines for preparation of EIAs and ii. Publication and dissemination of practical guides for the preparation
standards and codes for land development and structures in coastal areas. of sector-specific EIAs and building/construction codes for coastal
areas.
c. Development of local (municipal, developer, NGO) capacity to prepare iii. Technical assistance and training of GOs and NGOs in the
EIAs and enforce and monitor mitigation compliance.
preparation of sector-specific EIAs, practical mitigation and
enforcement strategies.
d. Development of inventories of coastal resources and use/user conflicts iv. Co-implementation with local GOs and NGOs of a regional initiative
(including land use, water resources, geomorphology, ecosystem
for development of coastal resources inventories, using uniform
composition/condition, and point sources of contamination,
parameters of analysis and presentation, and taking advantage of
sedimentation and impact), and monitoring of selected indicators of
regional economies of scale for purchase and analysis of data (imagery,
condition and intactness (esp. water quality).
research). Publication of a "Status of the MBRS" with national annexes.
e. Assistance to national and local GOs in reforming their governance
v. Utilize regional and international political lobby and assistance
model to streamline and decentralize planning and normative procedures, (SICA-CCAD, WB, IDB, UNDP, UNEP, etc.) to facilitate GO and
promote integrated coastal management models, and actively enforce
private sector officials' incorporation of the environmental costs of land
zoning and protected areas regulations.
and resources development into national and local government
accounts, including permanent environmental monitoring programs.
f. Lift subsidies favoring coastal and urban development, and charge the
vi. Support continuing initiatives to consolidate and expand the Meso-
real costs for water, energy, sanitation and transport, including their
American Biological Corridor and its marine-coastal extensions in each
environmental and social costs.
country.
Annex 5
Page 2 of 14
Threat
Proposed Actions
National Initiatives
Regional Initiatives
2. Uncontrolled, Poorly-Planned Tourism a. [See A.1.a, b, c, d, e & f above]
i. [See A.1.i, ii, iii, iv, v & vi above]
Development in Coastal Areas and
b. Develop participatory community-based strategies for tourism
ii. Assistance to facilitate environmental awareness and use of clean
Offshore Islands
development, avoiding dependence on the "Club Med Model".
technology and total-quality manufacturing processes as promoted
under ISO 9000 and 14000 initiatives, Green Globe and others;
dissemination of practical guides and seminars for the tourism sector;
disseminate guidelines for sustainable tourism development, using the
Sian Ka'an/USAID and CEP/CEN project materials as a basis.
c. Implement vocational rehabilitation training programs to transform
iii. Facilitate regional training-of-trainers courses to local NGOs,
farmers, fishers and laborers into tourism/sportfishing/ecotourism guides universities and educators, in vocational rehabilitation to support the
and related fields to generate the local economy.
tourism industry.
d. Determine carrying capacities at specific tourist/dive/fishing sites, and iv. Facilitate local workshops with GO, NGO, tour operators,
for islands, protected areas and reef areas as a whole; form a committee
community members using uniform methodologies for the region for
of resource users, tourist operators, conservationists and responsible GO determining carrying capacities for different types tourism activities in
authority and, based on best judgement and--considering environmental, different settings. Disseminate guides and technical materials as listed
social and economic factors--propose the numbers and types
in USAID/URI's "Selected Guidelines, Handbooks and Tools for Coral
(professional divers, cruise-ship tourists, backpackers, day-trippers, over-
Reef Management".
nighters, etc.) that should occupy a site/area for how long, in what season
and how accompanied.
e. Promulgate diving and pleasure boating regulations, placing
v. Provide uniform guidelines for the preparation of diver/pleasure-
responsibility of awareness training on tour/dive operators and
boater guides so that local regulations and rules can be developed for all
divemasters.
destinations in the MBRS.
f. Institute the use of a portion of tourist/airport taxes, divers' tags,
vi. Disseminate uniform guidelines for the development of self-
concessions, admission fees fro MPAs and similar mechanisms, returning financing mechanisms for community-managed reserves (lagoons,
all revenue to the locations where they were collected to foster self-
natural areas, reefs and islands).
financing conservation programs and protected areas management.
vii. Promote the Galapagos Tourism Model, which combines a research
facility and museum with tourism (also practiced at Anthony's Key
Resort/Marine Sciences Center in Sandy Bay, Roatan).
3. Uncontrolled Operation of Cruise
a. Develop a cruise-ship/live-aboard tourism policy and regulations, that i. Facilitate assistance and demonstrations/models for the development
Ships and Live-Aboards
promote the use of local services and personnel, and provide awareness
of cruise-ship/live-aboard tourism, including policies, regulations and
and skills training as required.
proposals for support infrastructure. Use the experience of the Belize
Tourism Board as a starting point.
b. Develop options for reception of cruise-ship wastes at local ports,
ii. Utilize regional and international political lobby and assistance
including a tipping/disposal fee to finance environmentally-sound
(SICA-CCAD, WB, IDB, IOCARIBE, UNEP/CEP, UNDP, UNEP,
disposal facilities.
etc.) to facilitate adoption and/or ratification and enforcement by the
c. [See A.2.d above]
four countries, of international conventions related to the management
of wastes from ships.
Annex 5
Page 3 of 14
Threat
Proposed Actions
National Initiatives
Regional Initiatives
4. Industrialization in Coastal Areas
a. [See A.1.a, b, c, d, e & f above]
i. [See A.1.i, ii, iii, iv, v & vi above]
without Adequate Environmental
b. Ratify and enforce regional and international conventions relating to
ii. Utilize regional and international political lobby and assistance
Engineering and Management Practices disposal of wastes into the sea and coastal areas.
(SICA-CCAD, WB, IDB, IOCARIBE, UNEP/CEP, UNDP, UNEP,
etc.) to facilitate adoption and/or ratification and enforcement by the
four countries, of international conventions related to control of
discharges of wastes into the sea and coastal areas.
c. Develop an inventory of industries in areas where
iii. Assistance to facilitate environmental awareness and use of clean
contamination is known or suspected, recording aspects of the nature,
technology and total-quality manufacturing processes as promoted
volume, form, locations and frequency of waste disposal; facilitate
under ISO 9000 and 14000 initiatives; dissemination of practical guides
improvement of current licensing/permitting systems for operation of
and seminars by industrial sector.
industrial processes based in part on this inventory, environmental
auditing and monitoring of selected parameters (esp. water quality). "Hot
spots" should be indicated for more research, frequent monitoring and
control.
5. Unplanned, Uncontrolled Small Scale
a. [See A.1.a, b, c, d, e & f above]
i. [See A.1.i, ii, iii, iv, v & vi above]
and Industrial Agricultural Development b. Intensify programs for settlement/resettlement of landless and poor,
ii. Provide financing and assistance for settlement of the landless and
in Coastal Areas
and promote equitable sale, transfer and titling of lands, and provide
poor in areas based on strict integrated land-use planning, good
technical assistance for appropriate land and natural resource use,
environmental management and social equity and economic
including sustainable agriculture to support the tourism industry.
opportunity; and assistance for improved land and resource use systems.
c. Develop an inventory of point and non-point sources known or
iii. [See A.4.iii above]
suspected of contamination, recording aspects of the nature, volume,
form, locations and frequency of waste disposal; facilitate improvement
of current control and/or licensing/permitting systems for discharges (or
runoff) of agricultural operations based in part on this inventory and
monitoring of selected parameters (esp. water quality). "Hot spots"
should be indicated for more research, frequent monitoring and control
6. Petroleum Exploration and
a. [See A.1.a, b, c, d & f above]
i. [See A.1.i, ii, iii, iv, v & vi and A.4.iii above]
Development in Fragile Areas and/or
b. Develop an inventory of all oil exploration/exploitation sites/areas;
ii. Utilize regional and international political lobby and assistance
without Adequate Environmental
develop contingency plans and response capability for the containment
(SICA-CCAD, WB, IDB, IOCARIBE, UNEP/CEP, UNDP, UNEP,
Engineering and Management Practices and control of oil spills and related accidents. Ratify and/or enforce
etc.) to facilitate adoption and/or ratification and enforcement by the
regional and international conventions relating to cleanup of oil spills in four countries, of international conventions related to control of oill
the sea and obtain necessary equipment for same.
spills in the Wider Caribbean (MARPOL, Cartagena Convention).
Annex 5
Page 4 of 14
Threat
Proposed Actions
National Initiatives
Regional Initiatives
B. Inappropriate Inland Resource and Land Use and Industrial Development
1. Conversion of Fragile Lands to
a. Participatory development and implementation of watershed
i. Technical assistance and training in the preparation and enforcement
Agricultural Uses in Upland Watersheds management plans and zoning based on economic, social, cultural and
of watershed management and zoning plans; promote the use of habitat
and Riparian Areas
environmental parameters, preferably at the subregional level; including mapping among parameters used to determine zoning for land use and
the establishment and active co-management of reserves.
biodiversity conservation through establishment of system of protected
areas.
b. [See A.5.b above]
ii. [See A.5.ii above]
c. Develop updated inventories of natural resources, current land uses
iii. [See A.1.v & vi above]
and socioeconomic parameters (including land/resource tenure) in
watersheds as a basis for preparation of watershed management plans and
programs.
d. Provide assistance to national and local GOs in reforming their
e. Convene seminars with GO officials from countries in the region to
governance model to streamline and decentralize planning and normative present and discuss integrated land-use/natural resources planning, with
procedures, and integrated enforcement of zoning and protected areas
emphasis on decentralization and local empowerment.
regulations.
e. Lift subsidies favoring lowland extensive cattle ranching and logging
in upland watersheds, and charge the real costs for water and energy
services derived from watersheds, including their environmental and
social costs.
2. Inland Industrial Development
a. Participatory development and implementation of land-use plans and
i. Technical assistance and training in the preparation and enforcement
without Adequate Environmental
industrial zoning based on economic, social, cultural and environmental
of land-use and zoning plans.
Engineering and Management Practices parameters, preferably at the subregional level.
b. Development of sector-specific guidelines for preparation of EIAs and ii. Publication and dissemination of practical guides for the preparation
standards and codes for land development and industrial processes.
of sector-specific EIAs and building/construction codes for relevant
sectors.
c. Development of local (municipal, developer, NGO) capacity to prepare iii. Technical assistance and training of GOs and NGOs in the
EIAs and enforce and monitor mitigation compliance; promote voluntary preparation of sector-specific EIAs, practical mitigation and
compliance with environmental regulations (ISO 14000).
enforcement strategies.
d. Development of inventories of water resources, ecosystem
iv. [See A.4.iii above]
composition/condition, and point sources of contamination and impact,
v. Utilize regional and international political lobby and assistance
as a basis for improvement of current systems of permits for industrial
(SICA-CCAD, WB, IDB, UNDP, UNEP, bilaterals, etc.) to facilitate
processes, and to facilitate monitoring of selected environmental
GO and private sector officials' incorporation of the environmental
indicators (esp. water quality).
costs of industrial development into national and local government
accounts, including permanent environmental monitoring programs.
Annex 5
Page 5 of 14
Threat
Proposed Actions
National Initiatives
Regional Initiatives
3. Building of Transport Infrastructure
a. [See B.1.d and B.2.a and c]
i. [See B.2.i, ii and iii above]
(Roads, Airports) without Adequate
b. Development of sector-specific guidelines for preparation of EIAs and ii. Utilize regional and international political lobby and assistance
Environmental Engineering and
standards and codes for construction.
(SICA-CCAD, WB, IDB, UNDP, UNEP, etc.) to facilitate GO and
Contingencies for Socioeconomic Growth c. Development of inventories of land and water resources, ecosystem
private sector officials' incorporation of the environmental costs of
and Environmental
composition/condition and socioeconomic parameters as a basis for land-
transport development into national and local government accounts,
use plans and routing of transport corridors, and to facilitate monitoring
including permanent environmental monitoring programs.
of selected environmental indicators (esp. WQ)
C. Overfishing and Inappropriate Aquaculture Development
1. Unsustainable Industrial, Artisanal
a. Modernize fisheries laws and regulations considering new realities of
i. Facilitate uniform fisheries policies and regulations (closed season,
and Sport Fisheries Practices
equipment (fishfinders, GPS, etc.), declining stocks, saturation of fishing size/catch limits, no-take T&E species, equipment restrictions, etc.)
fleet, and alternative resource utilization (sportfishing, tourism).
throughout the region, based on regional conditions and fisheries in the
MBRS. Propose a system of incentives to industrial fishers to reduce
their fleets and fishing activities, and propose economic alternatives to
current fisheries practices; propose a uniform system for recording
fisheries harvests/landings and develop a database for assessing trends
for sustainable fisheries and conservation purposes.
b. Provision of needed equipment, trained personnel and judicial process ii. Develop and/or expand use of modern monitoring equipment
to enforce fisheries regulations, especially closed seasons and areas, size (imagery, telemetered buoys for meteorological and oceanographic
limits, quotas on volume, and equipment restrictions; develop an accurate data) for locating spawning aggregations, nutrient upwellings, and other
and permanent program for monitoring industrial and artisanal fisheries
parameters useful in assessing productivity and needs for conservation.
harvest/landings that include fishing locations.
c. Reduce the number of industrial fishing boat permits (esp. Honduras
iii. Provide regional seminars and practical on-site training of GO and
and Mexico) through attrition and the use of incentives; strengthen
NGO staffs in aspects of vigilance and enforcement, research and
restrictions on trawling in known seagrass and reef areas, and sites of
monitoring, both to promote sustainable yields and conservation.
seasonal spawning aggregations of species at risk.
d. Promote technical and awareness training to industrial and artisanal
iv. Promote the formation on binational (Belize/Mexico) and trinational
fishers to improve sustained yields; facilitate vocational rehabilitation of (Belize/Guatemala/Honduras) fishers' associations as fora for resolution
artisanal fishers to sportfishing, diving and coastal/aquatic-ecology
of conflicts among artisanal and industrial fishers in transboundary
guides; protect the rights of artisanal fishers (esp. indigenous groups) to
waters and training in best practices; distribute educational & public
the resources that they have traditionally exploited.
awareness & best practices media to fisheries cooperatives & industrial
interests; support establishment and management of a binational MPAs
between Belize and Mexico (Xcalak-Baccalar Chico) and trinational
system of coastal and MPAs in the Gulf of Honduras.
e. Promote aquaculture for replenishment of lagoons and estuaries with
v. Promote the MBRS Section of the Meso-American Biological
species at risk or of economic importance.
Corridor in order to ensure linkages of reef, lagoon and estuary
ecosystems along the entire coast, especially for recruitment of larvae
Annex 5
Page 6 of 14
Threat
Proposed Actions
National Initiatives
Regional Initiatives
f. Consolidate systems of MPAs as a strategy to increase stocks of T&E
ecosystems along the entire coast, especially for recruitment of larvae
and other species under stress (Hol Chan Marine Reserve experience);
and fry for reef organisms, as well as to conserve the tourism resource.
include sites of spawning aggregations within the system of marine
Support the establishment and management of MPAs with linkages to
protected areas.
regional and international organizations promoting the SPAW Protocol.
Promote signature of the SPAW Protocol by MBRS countries.
2. Inappropriate Development and
a. Restrict aquaculture operations to sites designated for same under
i. Facilitate training-of-trainers for sustainable aquaculture in MBRS
Operation of Aquaculture for Shrimp,
adequately prepared land-use plans for integrated coastal zone
countries, especially in aspects of siting, construction and contingency
Tilapia and other Species
management [See A.1.a, b, c & d above].
planning.
b. Develop clear guidelines and regulations for operation of aquaculture
ii. Promote aquaculture operations as a regional strategy for
operations, including preparation of contingency plans in case of
replenishment of stocks in local lagoons and estuaries--nurseries for reef
hurricanes, flooding and accidents; monitoring compliance with these
and open water fishes.
regulations.
c. Restrict or prohibit collection of larvae and fry from coastal areas
(lagoons, estuaries, beaches) for use in aguaculture operations.
3. Uncontrolled Bio-prospecting
a. Development of regulations and permits, with specified collection
i. Assistance to develop a uniform bio-prospecting policy and standard
areas and monitoring of concessions.
regulations, both to facilitate bio-prospecting and to ensure maintenance
of composition of reefs, protection of species species of interest from
depredation, and patent rights.
D. Inappropriate Port Management, Shipping and Navigation Practices
1. Construction of Ports, Jetties, Piers,
a. [See A.1.a, b, c, d, e & f]
i. [See A.1.i, ii, iii, iv, v & vi]
Oil Terminals and Dredging of Channels
without Adequate Environmental
Engineering and Construction Practices
2. Port and Shipping Operations without b. Develop an inventory of all types of cargo and ships that normally
i. Utilize regional and international political lobby and assistance
Adequate Navigational and
come into ports or sail through area and determine the levels of risk
(SICA-CCAD, WB, IDB, IOCARIBE, UNEP/CEP, UNDP, UNEP,
Environmental Management Practices
associated with these in terms of environmental damage, likely impacts
etc.) to facilitate adoption and/or ratification and enforcement by the
and probable areas affected; develop contingency plans and response
four countries, of international conventions related to safe navigation,
capability for the containment and control of oil spills, founderings,
ports operations, control of wastes from ships, control of oil spills, etc.
groundings, collisions and related accidents; and obtain equipment and
in the Wider Caribbean (MARPOL, Cartagena Convention, etc.).
training for applying the plan.
c. Ratify and/or enforce regional and international conventions relating to ii. Provide financing, technical assistance and training to facilitate
control of wastes from ships, safe stowage, transboundary movement of
compliance with international conventions and treaties among nations
hazardous materials, cleanup of oil spills in the sea, etc.; update relevant of the MBRS to pool resources for mutual enforcement of shipping and
legislation and regulations to reflect these; and obtain necessary
pollution control regulations and conventions (national and
equipment for same.
international), and response to contingencies (accidents, collisions,
spills, etc.).
Annex 5
Page 7 of 14
Threat
Proposed Actions
National Initiatives
Regional Initiatives
d. Modernize all navigational aides, communication equipment,
spills, etc.).
bathymetric and navigation charts, etc. to facilitate improved and safer
shipping; prepare a port management plan comprising all aspects of
navigation, transfer of cargo, waste disposal policies and contingency
plans.
e. Develop options to receive ship wastes at local ports; tipping/ disposal
fees to finance environmentally-sound disposal facilities.
Annex 5
Page 8 of 14
Threat
Proposed Actions
National Initiatives
Regional Initiatives
E. Natural Oceanographic and Climato-Meteorological Phenomena[The following recommendations are to facilitate better understanding of these naturally-occurring phenomena which can
exacerbate negative environmental impacts of anthropogenic uses within the MBRS]
1. Predominating and Seasonal Currents a. Improve and fund monitoring of currents and winds in MBRS
i. Facilitate development of a regional coastal zone monitoring system
and Winds
countries' respective territorial waters, as part of an overall integrated
with uniform parameters, data collection & analytical methods,
coastal zone monitoring program; other parameters to include in this
networked throughout the MBRS, with links to international
program are: water quality (temperature, salinity, pH, transparency, TSS, organizations already active in these activities (CARICOMP, NOAA,
DO, nutrients, hydrocarbons, E. coli, and testing for other parameters,
IOC/IOCARIBE, WMO, FAO, CPACC, ITSU, U.S. Hurricane Forecast
such as pesticides or heavy metals, linked to natural and anthropogenic
Center, etc.)--including standardization of parameters and methods for coral
phenomena present in the region), ecological indicators (bio-
reef (composition, condition/growth characteristics, bleaching, diseases), &
accumulators, predators, keystone/indicator species of diversity, coral
water quality monitoring for the MBRS region. Provide financial and technical
disease dynamics
assistance to achieve regional efficiencies of scale for permanent monitoring
programs, including provision of equipment, training and technical assistance.
2. Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
a. Enact necessary land-use planning/zoning legislation for coastal areas
i. Facilitate preparation of regional guidelines for
and islands, and strictly enforce regulations on land clearing and removal land-use planning and disaster preparedness, sector-specific
of vegetation on shorelines, estuaries, mangroves and lagoons. Enforce
contingency plans (industry, tourism, aquaculture, ports, etc.), and
compliance with siting and building standards for structures along the
provide technical assistance for their preparation at the national and
coast, and prohibit occupation of low-lying areas prone to flooding.
subregional (transboundary) levels.
Publish and distribute regulations and guidelines to all citizens via mass
media, in order to raise their awareness of the need for such regulations
and their obligations.
b. Recuperate/rehabilitate shorelines and critical coastal environments
(mangroves, beaches, headlands, dunes) as storm defenses.
c. Prepare/update emergency evacuation and contingency plans for
tropical storms and hurricanes (disaster preparedness), including proper
storage/protection and/or relocation of hazardous and toxic substances.
3. El Niño/La Niña Events
a. Monitor the impacts of these events to reef ecosystems (especially
i. [See E.1.i]
bleaching), correlating the distribution and levels of bleaching with
parameters of water quality, currents and winds [See also E.1.a].
b. [See E.2.a, b & c]
ii. [See E.2.i]
4. Diseases in Coral and other Organisms a. Monitor the incidence and distribution of coral diseases and diseases in i. [See E.1.i]
in Coastal and Reef Ecosystems
other organisms and their correlation to dynamics of water quality,
currents and winds [See also E.1.a and E.3.a]
5. Climate Change/Global Warming
a. [See E.1.a and E.2.a, b & c and E.3.a]
i. [See E.1.i and E.2.i]
6. Earthquakes and Tsunamis
a. [See E.1.a and E.2.a, b & c and E.3.a]
i. [See E.1.i and E.2.i]
Annex 5
Page 9 of 14
Matrix 2: Principal Transboundary Issues
Nature of Threat and Location of Impacts
Origin of the Threats
1. Organic-nutrient contamination from coastal and
a. Agricultural runoff from large-scale sugarcane farms in the Rio Hondo and New River
inland drainages, especially affecting estuarine and
watersheds (Belize and Mexico)
coastal lagoon ecosystems from Bahia de Chetumal to
b. Organic waste disposal from two sugar refineries (one each in Mexico and Belize) in the Rio
Belize City; and fringing, patch and selected barrier reef
Hondo and New River watersheds
ecosystems from Xcalak-Bacalar Chico to Hick's Cayes
c. Untreated sanitary waste disposal from Chetumal, Quintana Roo and Corozal, Belize, and
in Belize.
seepage from septic systems on Ambergris Caye
2. Sedimentation, organic and chemical contamination of
a. Agricultural runoff from coastal drainages & watersheds of Stann Creek, Placencia, Monkey
the Gulf of Honduras, especially affecting ecosystems of
River, Rio Grande, Rio Moho & Rio Sarstoon of Belize.
coastal estuaries, lagoon, seagrass bed and selected patch
b. Agricultural runoff from coastal drainages & watersheds of Rio Sarstun, Lago Izabal/Rio Dulce
reefs.
& agricultural and industrial drainages from Rio Motagua watershed of Guatemala
c. Agricultural runoff from coastal drainages & tributaries to Rio Motagua & agricultural &
industrial drainages from Rio Chamelecon & Rio Ulua watersheds of Honduras
d. Contamination from port operations and urban centers in Puerto Barrios/Puerto Castilla
(Guatemala) & Puerto Cortes (Honduras)
3. Uncontrolled utilization/depredation of reef and
a. Cross-border tourism by boat (live-aboards, divers, sport fishers) in BelizeMexico, and
fisheries resources in the MBRS
BelizeGuatemalaHonduras
4. Uncontrolled fishing/depredation of fisheries
a. Cross-border industrial and artisanal fishing in Belize by Guatemalans, Hondurans and
resources in the MBRS, especially for lobster, conch,
Mexicans; GuatemalaHonduras; and by some Belizeans in Mexico.
selected finfishes, turtles and manatee; and damage to
physical damage to reefs and seagrass beds
5. Contamination of territorial and international waters,
a. Illegal dumping of liquid, solid & hazardous wastes from ships, & shipping accidents in the
beaches, reefs, seagrass beds, estuaries and tidal
MBRS, including: (i) dumping of sanitary and food wastes, oily bilge water and solid wastes from
wetlands with organic, chemical and/or solid wastes.
ships; (ii) dumping of municipal or industrial wastes fro disposal purposes; and (iii) collisions,
groundings and founderings of ships with rupture of fuel tanks and loss of lubricants, and/or spill of
hazardous cargo (petroleum and derivatives, fertilizer, pesticides/other chemicals, sugar, palm oil;
and lack of contingency plans/response capability in region
6. MBRS contamination from many origins as result of
7. Lack of regional & national disaster preparedness & contingency plans/capability for
tropical storms & hurricanes
emergencies and response
Annex 5
Page 10 of 14
Matrix 3: Current and Planned Regional Projects/Programs with Relevance to the Conservation and Sustainable Use of the
MBRS
Project/Program Title &
Outreach/Project
National Focal
Funding
Project
Objectives, Components, Activities
Executing Agency
Area
Points/
Level (US$) Start/ End
Counterparts
Dates
Regional Environmental Program
All Central American
National and Local
25
1996-
Three principal programs: (i) Central American Protected Areas System,
for Central
Nations
GOs, NGOs &
million(COS
2000(2nd
which supports consolidation of CAPAS, especially the Meso-American
America/PROARCA(USAID/CCA
Community
TAS share is
Faseprobabl
Biological Corridor, through assistance in: improved management of PAs
and bufferzone management, public conservation awareness, improved
D)
Groups(WWF, TNC,
5.9 million
e)
national and cross-country legal frameworks, green products for export,
Univ. Rhode Island,
from USAID
alternative financing mechanisms, technical capacity building and
International Resources
& 2.2 million
information dissemination for national orgs. and the CCAD; (ii) Coastal
Group)
from TNC,
Zone Management/COSTAS, which promotes integrated and sustainable
WWF &
management of coastal resources (fisheries, tourism, conservation of
URI)
protected areas), focusing especially on empowerment of local entities for
stewarship of resources, in four transboundary priority sites of the Gulf of
Honduras (Belize/Guatemala/Honduras), Miskito Coast
(Honduras/Nicaragua), Gulf of Fonseca (El
Salvador/Honduras/Nicaragua) and Gandoca/Bocas del Toro (Costa
Rica/Panama),with the use of mini-grants to NGOs, conflict resolution,
and training in aspects of strengthening governance and policies in coastal
management and in protected areas (Punta Manabique and Port of
Honduras) with emphasis on the Meso-American Barrier Reef Initiative;
and (iii) Environmental Protection and Legislation/LEPPI, which supports
developing environmental awareness and strengthening of national and
regional policy frameworks (EIA, land-use planning) and local and
national institutions to address pollution problems.
Conservation of the Meso-
Meso-American
GOs, NGOs, resource-
1998
The MACR Ecoregion forms part of WWF's Global 200 Program,
American Caribbean Reef
Barrier Reef
user groups
(ongoing)
oriented to the conservation of 200 terrestrial, freshwater and marine
Ecoregion (WWF)
System(Mexico to
ecoregions where WWF believes that conservation efforts should be
focused. WWF, in collaboration with GOs, NGOs and resources-user
Honduras)
groups (stakeholders in fisheries, tourism) is carrying out a biological
assessment to develop a knowledge base for conservation planning,
including analysis of threats and opportunities to facilitate a conservation
strategy and collaborative actions aimed at sustainable use and
conservation efforts. To date WWF has sponsored a workshop to identify
threats to the ecoregion and their root causes and has begun assembling
data on ohyscal and biological parameters. A second workshop will be
convened to assess the results of the assessments to set conservation
priorities and propose action plans.
Annex 5
Page 11 of 14
Project/Program Title &
Outreach/Project
National Focal
Funding
Project
Objectives, Components, Activities
Executing Agency
Area
Points/
Level (US$) Start/ End
Counterparts
Dates
Tri-national Alliance for the
Coastal, open water,
NGOs, Community
Currently
1996
TRIGOH seeks to develop integrated conservation and sustainable
Conservation of the Gulf of
island and reef areas
Groups, GOs, resource-
funded with a
(ongoing)
development projects with stakeholders in the region, including a tri-
Honduras/TRIGOHBelize (TIDE,
of the Gulf of
use cooperatives &
small grant
national system of coastal and marine reserves, tri-national activities in
fisheries, manatee protection, ecotourism and other economic alternatives
BELPO, BTIA), Guatemala
Honduras (Belize,
associations
(PROARCA)
for local resource users and residents, port contingency planning, research
(Defensores de la Naturaleza,
Guatemala &
; proposed a 2
and monitoring. Has proposed a two-year project Integrated Coastal
FUNDARY, FUNDAECO,
Honduras)
million
Management for the Gulf of Honduras, with emphasis on cooperative
IDEADS), Honduras (Fundacion
project to
management of fisheries, control of water quality, and protection of
Fasquelle, PROLANSATE)
IDB
marine diversity.
Project for the Fisheries
Central America,
Belize (Fisheries Dept),
13.4 million
Phase I
Promotes fisheries and aquaculture development under four sub-projects:
Development in Central
Atlantic and Pacific
Guatemala
finalized in
marine research and monitoring, aquaculture management, shrimp
America/PRADEPESCA(European
(DITEPESCA),
1995(Phase
fisheries management, and artisanal fisheries management.
Union)
Honduras
II?)
(DIGEPESCA)
Plan for Integrated Development of
Gulf of Honduras,
GOs, NGOs,
Proposal
Contains a series of smaller integrated conservation and development
the Gulf of Honduras (OAS/IICA)
(Binational between
Community Groups of
(since 1997)
projects for the lower watershed of the principal rivers draining into the
Guatemala &
Guatemala and
Gulf of Honduras in activities of: resource conservation in watersheds,
protected areas management, sustainable agroforestry, ecotourism, energy
Honduras)
Honduras
conservation, and integration of transport and port infrastructure with
social development.
Regulation of the Reserve in the
Border region among
GOs of Belize,
Proposal
Proposes activities in the following areas: natural resources/biodiversity
Border Region between Belize,
Belize, Guatemala and
Guatemala and Mexico
(since 1996)
management, scientific investigation, environmental education, recovery
Guatemala and Mexico
Mexico
of cultural values, ecotourism and institutional strengthening.
(OAS/IICA)
Program for Management of
Central America,
GOs, NGOs,
1997-2001
Objectives include: (i) identification of priority areas for management; (ii)
Wetlands and Coastal Zones(IUCN) Caribbean and Pacific
Community Groups
organizational strengthening; (iii) organizational networks development
Coasts
and information exchange; (iv) strategic planning; and (v) support for
implementing international conventions.
Conservation of Marine
Central America,
GOs, private-sector
1997-2001
Objectives include: (i) evaluation of the relation between tourism
Biodiversity: Integration of the
Caribbean and Pacific
tourism operators &
activities, including impacts, and coastal-marine ecosystems; (ii)
Tourism Sector with Coastal
Coasts
NGOs in participating
evaluation and valorization of local communities' participation in coastal
Protected Areas (IUCN/BMZ)
countries
tourism and conservation of protected areas; (iii) design and implement
strategies and guidelines for the conservation of biological diversity using
demonstration projects that link tourism with the protected areas
management and participation of local communities. The project seeks to
develop networks for conservation-based tourism, and is also being
implemented in East Africa to facilitate South-South cooperation.
Caribbean Coastal Marine
Caribbean Sea and
Belize (Fisheries Dept.) Now
1970s
Network of 20 marine labs, parks and reserves in 18 countries in a
Productivity
coastal areas of 18
primarily
(ongoing)
program to monitor coastal marine productivity in the Caribbean in
Program/CARICOMP(UNESCO
participating nations
funded by
mangroves, seagrass beds, benthic communities on coral reefs, fisheries
and in aspects of meteorological physical water quality. Has rich database,
and various British Institutions)
participating
but much data has not been recently analyzed.
institutions
Annex 5
Page 12 of 14
Project/Program Title &
Outreach/Project
National Focal
Funding
Project
Objectives, Components, Activities
Executing Agency
Area
Points/
Level (US$) Start/ End
Counterparts
Dates
Caribbean Fisheries Resource
Caribbean Region
GO Authorities in
3 million
1999-2007
Conservation & sustainable use of regional fish stocks. Includes
Assessment-CFRAMP (CIDA)
countries responsible
(Phase II); &
institutional strengthening, training, research on commercial species,
for fisheries
local GO
regional information systems, policy reform & technical assistance.
management
contributions
Strengthening of Fisheries and
Selected Caribbean
GOs responsible for
5 million
1998-2000
Provides technical & material assistance to researchers& resource
Biodiversity Management in
countries
fisheries management
(distributed
managers for improved management of aquatic living organisms, and
African, Caribbean and Pacific
among 45
increase awareness of the importance to conserve biological diversity
Countries (European Union)
countries in
World
Global Coral Reef Monitoring
Caribbean Region
Caribbean Sub-
1996
Links organizations and people to monitor biophysical, social, cultural and
Network/GCRMN(AIMS,
node(CARICOMP,
(ongoing)
economic aspects of coral reefs within regional networks); improvement
ICLARM, IOC, UNEP, WMO,
participating NGOs and
of capacity of organizations to monitor reefs in a continuos program to
IUCN, WCMC, URI)
resort operators in
discern trends and discriminate between natural, anthropogenic and
climatic changes; supports dissemination of results at local, regional and
MBRS Region, Univ.
global scales to coastal/reef management agencies via reports, website,
of Miami/ RSMAS,
databases. Acts as data-manager for updates on coral bleaching, disease,
Univ. of Rhode
damage caused by tropical storms, etc. around the World. Organizational
Island/CRC, Univ. of
and programmatic linkages with ReefBase database networks and Atlantic
Texas, Univ. of
Gulf Reef Assessment/AGRRA and Rapid Assessment of Management
Windsor)
Parameters (RAMP) monitoring initiative.
Caribbean Planning for Climate
Caribbean (11
GOs in participating
6.3 million
1997--2001
Provide technical guidance to countries to prepare contingencies for
Change/CPAAC (GEF/OAS)
countries)
countries responsible
(670,000 to
adverse effects of global climate change and sea level rise. Includes pilot
for coastal resources
each
projects, training and technology transfer. Has coastal resources inventory
management &
executing
and coral reef monitoring components.
monitoring
agency)
Establishment of the Meso-
Meso-American
Mexico
22.6 million
1999-2004
Supporting actions necessary to consolidate and further develop the Meso-
American Regional System of
Caribbean
(SEMARNAP/INE,
American Biological Corridor. Includes aspects of: land-use
Protected Areas, Buffer Zones and
State GO, NGOs),
planning/zoning; conservation and sustainable use of biological resources;
Biological Corridors
Belize (DoE, NGOs),
Management of protected areas, buffer zones and corridor connections.
(GEF/UNDP/CCAD/GTZ/DANID
Guatemala (CONAP,
A)
OCREN, NGOs),
Honduras
(AFE/COHDEFOR,
NGOs)
Regional Promotion of the
Central America
OGs, NGOs in
15 million
1997
Promotes intra-regional sustainable development in Central America in
Environment in Central America
participating countries
(under
(ongoing)
aspects of conservation of biodiversity, depletion of the ozone layer,
(IDBFOMIN/GEF/CCAD)
negotiation
protection of international waters and climate change.
additional 25
million)
Annex 5
Page 13 of 14
Project/Program Title &
Outreach/Project
National Focal
Funding
Project
Objectives, Components, Activities
Executing Agency
Area
Points/
Level (US$) Start/ End
Counterparts
Dates
Caribbean Environment
Mexico
1992
Established to support implementation of the accords set out in the
Programme(UNEP/RCU)(i)
(SEMARNAP/INE,
(ongoing)
Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine
Programme for Assessment and
EPOMEX), Belize
Environment of the Wider Caribbean (Cartagena Convention) and its
protocols(CEPPOL, SPAW, LBSMP). Programs provide support in areas
Management of Environmental
(CZMA&I), Guatemala
of: diagnostic analysis/research of resource conditions in coastal-marine
Pollution/AMEP; (ii) Programme
(CONAMA, INGUAT)
environments (including pollution detection and monitoring of coral
for Information Systems for the
reefs), strategic planning and project preparation, assistance in developing
Management of Marine and Coastal
environmentally-sound technologies for sewage control, environmentally-
Resources/ CEPNET (IDB/Wider
sound tourism, workshops and training. Has broad range of information
Caribbean Region Marine and
services, including an excellent website, publications and best-practices
Coastal Environmental Information
guides. CEN Program just concluded. Services seem to be underutilized by
Network);(iii) Regional Programme
MBRS countries.
on Specially Protected Areas and
Wildlife;(iv) Caribbean
Environmental Network/CEN
(USAID)
Gulf of Honduras Maritime
Gulf of Honduras
Belize (CZMA&I),
5 million+
Under
Proposes a transboundary diagnostic analysis of environmental problems
Transport Pollution Control Project
(Belize, Guatemala,
Guatemala
(proposed)
preparation
in project area to fill information gaps on key physical and resource use
(GEF/IDB; also potentially WB,
Honduras)
(CONAMA), Honduras
(GEF Block
issues (including navigation, port facilities, waste management,
UNDP or UNEP)
(SERNA),NGOs
B)
contingencies, etc.); improvement/reform of legal, policy and
regulatory/enforcement framework for control of maritime pollution
(TRIGOH), port and
(including compliance with international conventions); institutional
maritime transport
strengthening at local, national and regional levels; training and equipment
industry, DGA-
for improving national and transboundary collection of environmental
SICA/CCAD,
information (bathymetry, currents, sediment transport, WQ monitoring,
COCATRAM
and vulnerability mapping); public participation and environmental
awareness; economic mechanisms to encourage control of land- and sea-
based pollution; demonstration pilot projects for the major ports; and a
regional action plan for navigational safety and contingencies.
Assessment of Damage to North
North Coast of
Fundacion VIDA,
1.13 million
1999-2001
Diagnostic assessment of damages, sediment quantity, and sediment
Coast, Bay Islands Coral Reefs and
Honduras, Bay
PROARCA/Costas(oth
mobilization of coral reefs, and impacts of sediment and wind/wave
other Intertidal and Subtidal
Islands, Gulf of
ers to be determined?)
damage to mangrove, seagrass and estuary communities in the Gulf of
Systems (USGS)
Honduras
Honduras and Bay Islands. Assessment of accretion and erosion in mouths
of rivers draining into Gulf of Honduras and on Bay Islands. Assessment
of structural damage to shallow reefs due to wave action of Hurricane
Mitch, extent of coral bleaching, black band disease, etc. (objectives to be
reassessed in Sept. 1999).
World Meteorological Monitoring
Entire Region
GOs responsible for
Ongoing
Acts as clearinghouse for collection, analysis and reporting of
Program; World Climate Program;
meteorological
meteorological data taken in all participating countries, including
and Ibero-American Regional
monitoring in
monitoring of tropical cyclones and monsoons. Also provides technical
Climate Program (WMO)
participating countries
assistance, training and some support on instrumentation.
Annex 5
Page 14 of 14
Project/Program Title &
Outreach/Project
National Focal
Funding
Project
Objectives, Components, Activities
Executing Agency
Area
Points/
Level (US$) Start/ End
Counterparts
Dates
North American Aquatic and
Entire Region
GOs responsible for
Ongoing
Provides assistance and carries our research and monitoring, mapping and
Atmospheric Administration
administration of water
(several
imaging of natural processes and phenomena including: weather/climate;
(NOAA)
resources, rivers,
projects)
oceanography, currents, tides, water quality (physiological/biological) and
temperature; monitoring and tracking of storms (hurricanes, tropical
oceans and
storms, El Niño, La Niña, monsoons, drought). Maintains extensive maps,
meteorological
images and databases.
monitoring
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Entire Region
GOs responsible fro
1982(ongoin
Responsible for the promotion, development and coordination of the
Commission--Subcommission for
marine-coastal
g)
IOC's marine scientific research programs, ocean services and related
the
resources research and
activities, including training, education and mutual assistance.
Caribbean/IOCARIBE(UNESCO)
management done in
Programs/projects include, among others: (i) Regional Component of
Ocean Processes and Climate Change; (ii) Fishery Oceanography of
collaboration with
Highly Migratory and Straddling Species; (iii) Tropical Demersal
NOAA, CARICOMP,
Recruitment Program; (iv) Coral Reff Monitoring and Research,
OAS, CPACC, FAO,
Cooperation with AGRRA and CARICOMP; (v) Large Marine
UNEP, GEF, IWC,
Ecosystems-Caribbean; (vi) Ecotourism Reseach; (vii) Coast Beach
ITSU, U.S. Hurricane
Dynamics; (viii) Bathymetric Chart of the Caribbean Sea: (ix) Caribbean
Forecast Center
Environmental Pollution Project-CEPPOL; (x) Cooperation with
Contingency Plans for Oil Spills; (xi) Hurricane Effects & Mitigation on
Coastal Zones in the IOCARIBE Region; (xii) Regional Component for
the Global Ocean Observing System-GOOS; (xiii) Regional Component
for the Global Sea Level Observing System-GLOSS; and (xiv) Caribbean
Tsunami Warning System.
Post-Mitch Reconstruction (Various
Honduras, Guatemala
National and local GOs
500 million
1999-
Based on the Consultative Group Meeting in Stockholm in May of 1999,
Bi- and Multi-lateral agencies)
and NGOs
2020(most
numerous project in integrated coastal resources management, watershed
projects still
management, disaster preparedness, land-use planning and zoning,
in planning
protected areas management and environmental damage assessment and
monitoring have been proposed and will be funded by IDB, World Bank,
stages)
UNDP, UNEP, USAID, CIDA, European Union, Spanish, Dutch,
Swedish, Japanese and other Governments, including a Regional
Environmental and Disaster Mitigation Project (IDB).
World Bank User
M:\RAMON\WP7-2000\WB\Regional Barrier Reef\00-0724 MBRS WP Brief Final1.doc
7/26/00 2:42 PM
Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Meso-American Barrier Reef System:
Threat and Root Cause Analysis
Map 1. Locations of Threats to the Ecological Health of the MBRS
Contoy I.
Legend:
PS
FS
Coastal/Island Development and Unsustainable Tourism
TD Mujeres I.
Pto. Juárez
PT
Urbanisation at Inappropriate Sites in Coastal Areas without Adequate Environmental
UC
UC
Cancún
Engineering and Management
TD
TD Uncontrolled, Poorly-Planned Tourism Development in Coastal Areas and Offshore Islands
UC PT
Pto. Moréjos
PS
CS Uncontrolled Operation of Cruise Ships and Live-Aboards
UC
Playa de Carmen
TD
CS
Industrialisation in Coastal Areas without Adequate Environmental Engineering and
IC
Palmul
PT
Management Practices
TR
C o zumel
Cozumel I.
Y U C A T A N P E N I N S U L A
FS
Unplanned, Uncontrolled Small Scale & Industrial Agricultural Development in Coastal Areas
AC
UC Chacalá
Petroleum Exploration and Development in Fragile Areas and/or without Adequate
OL
Tulúm
Environmental Engineering and Management Practices
Inappropriate Inland Resource and Land Use and Industrial Development
S. Pedro
Pta. Solimán
Vigia C h ic o
Pta. Allén
DF Conversion of Fragile Lands to Agricultural Uses in Upland Watersheds and Riparian Areas
Pta. pájaros
PUNTA PAJAROS
Inland Industrial Development without Adequate Environmental Engineering and
IN Management Practices
M E X I C O
FS
Pta. Herrero
Building of Transport Infrastructure (Roads, Airports) without Adequate Environmental
TR Engineering and Contingencies for Socio-economic Growth and Environmental Management
Overfishing and Inappropriate Aquaculture Development
TR
FS Unsustainable Industrial, Artisanal and Sport Fisheries Practices
Majahual
PT
Inappropriate Development and Operation of Aquaculture for Shrimp, Tilapia and other
AQ
UC
Species
Banco Chinchorro
AC Chetumal
PT
IC
BP?
BP? Uncontrolled Bio-Prospecting (locations unknown)
C o rozal
FS
FS
o
UC OL Sarteneja
d
X c a la k
no
H
io
IN
Bo c a Ba c a l a o C h i c o
Inappropriate Port Management, Shipping and Navigation Practices
OL
R DF Orange Walk
Ambergris Cay
UC PS
S. Pedro
PT
Constructon/Maintenance of Ports, Jetties, Piers, Oil Terminals and Dredging of Channels
PT
.
without Adequate Environmental Engineering and Construction Practices
R
TD
we
TD
N
Port and Shipping Operations without Adequate Navigational and Environmental
PS
UC
Management Practices
.
PS
Be lize C ity
Turneffe Is.
lize R
e
TD
B
IC CS
Predominating currents
CS
IN
FS Lighthouse Reef
Predominating winds
DF
BP?
BELMOPAN
IN
C A R I B B E A N S E A
A
Dangriga
DF AC PT PS FS
L
B E L I Z E
UC
G lover Reef
AQ
OL CS OL
A
AC CS
Guanaja I
TR
PT
Placencia
M
TDCSFS BP?
UC
DF
PS
FS
DF
Roatan I.
Monkey
Is.
PS
PT
E
River
FS
yil a
o
p
PS
CS
Utila I.
PT
T
UC
Za
Cayo
Pto. Castilla
TD
s C FS
FS
Pta . G o rd a
FS
PS
o
PS
PS
CS chinos
Punta
G ULF OF HONDURAS
A
FS
Pto.
FS
PS
PS
Amatique
PT
PT
AC
Pa tuca
Omoa
Pta. Izopo
C o rtés
Ba y
TD
La C e iba
FS
AC
UC
OL
FS PT
Ba y
U
DF
TR
UC
TD
IC
AQ
ID
TB
AQ
DF
TELA
ICAC UC
Livingston
G
AC
IC
TR
UC PT
C u y a m e l
TR
AC
DF
Rio Aguán
Pto. Barrios
DF
DF
Laguna
IN
DF
de Caratasca
S. Pedro
L. IzabalOL
C O RDILLERA
NO MBRE
DE
DIO S
n
DF
elecó
DF
ham
Rio Ulua
Rio C
Rio Motagua
H O N D U R A S
Sc a le: 1: 1,370 000
N I C A R A G U A
0
10
20
30
40
50 Km
Source: WORLD AERONAUTIC AL C HART (1: 1,000 000)
FAO-TC ID 1/2000-10/FL:MESO AMERA3.C D R
Map 2. Location of Priority Protected Areas
Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Meso-American Barrier Reef System:
Threat and Root Cause Analysis
Priority Protected Areas
Santuario del M anati
Banco
Legend:
Chinchorro
Priority Protected Areas
M
M Mexico
M
M E X I C O
B Belize
Chetumal
G Guatemla
Corozal
H Honduras
Xcalak
Carozal
M
Bay
B
Bacalar Chico
B
USA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
GULF OF MEXICO
CUBA
BELIZE
CARIBBEAN SEA
CITY
Area of
Turneffe Islands
MEXICO
JAMAICA
Map
BELIZE
B E L I Z E
GUATEMALA
HONDURAS
R
O
ATLANTIC
NICARAGUA
EL SALVAD
OCEAN
Dangriga
PACIFIC OCEAN
COSTA RICA
B
Glover's
C a r i b b e a n
South
Reef
B
Water
Caye
S e a
B
Gladden
Port
Spit
Honduras
Bay Islands
Sapodilla
H
B
Cays
Turtle Harbor I
Punta Gorda
B
Utila
Sarstún-
Temash
Punta de M anabique
Omoa-
B
G
Baracoa
G
Pto. Cortés
Sarstún
H
Tela
La Ceiba
Puerto Barrios
0
50
100 Km
G U A T E M A L A
H O N D U R A S
0
25
50 Miles
TCI4/00-77/MESOAMER-2A3.CDR