| Natural Protected Areas |
|
Biosphere Reserves of the State of Sonora, Mexico On June 10, 2011 we celebrate 18 years of the Decree that created the BioSphere Reserves of the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta and of the Pinacate and Grand Altar Desert. Conserving these ecosystems has not been easy and many people has devoted their entire lives to the efforts to keep this piece of land in balance, so let's celebrate! Collaborative Conservation Management Plan for Natural Protected Area: the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta For a printable version of the following article, click here.
Advisory Sub-Council of Puerto Peñasco within the Advisory Council of the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve What is the Advisory Sub-council of Peñasco about? The Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve is one of the largest coastal-marine Natural Protected Areas in Mexico. It encompasses portions of two states: Baja California and Sonora. It forms part of the Colorado River Basin. Additionally it is found in of the most arid and extreme regions of North America as well as one of the most diverse and productive, and it is highly vulnerable to human impact in the Northern Gulf of California, or “Upper Gulf.” Due to these conditions this region is of special relevance for its hydrologic conditions, biological processes such as migration, breeding and raising of young by marine and coastal species, and existence of an important number of species confined to this region (endemism). This area was decreed a Reserve on June 10th 1993 in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. In 1996 a management program was presented. The formation of an advisory council is recognized as part of the administration and implementation of said program serving to establish the infrastructure to achieve cooperation among all stakeholders: government, social sector, academic and civic institutions. In 1996 once the Reserve Management Program was presented, SEMARNAP integrated into the administration of the Reserve. Two years later the Advisory Council was established. Since 1998 regular meetings have convened in different communities in the Reserve (Puerto Peñasco, Mexicali, San Felipe, Golfo de Santa Clara) during which themes have been developed relating to fisheries, aquaculture, tourist activities, management program, inspection and supervision among others. Since its first meetings three sub-committees were established: Fisheries, Ejidal Issues and Economic Alternatives. The sub-committee which has met most often is that of Fisheries, it being the most relevant economic activity of the users of the Reserve. Despite these efforts, the great expanse of the Reserve has made it difficult for the members of the Advisory Council to be as active as is needed; additionally the principal communities of the Reserve have different structures and dynamics which require different responses for each region. Because of this, the Management of the Upper Gulf Biosphere Reserve has reactivated the Advisory Council, and now divided it into three Advisory Sub-councils: 1)
Puerto Peñasco, Sonora The objective of making regional sub-councils within the Advisory Council´s structure is to integrate the sectors with direct and indirect locally-relevant interests in the management and administration of the Reserve. The Sub Council Advisory Board for Puerto Peñasco (SCAPP) has recently organized (phase 1 of the project) and members of the newly formed Board will receive training (phase 2) from September through November, 2011. More information on these developments, including a summary of training sessions and topics, is available by clicking here.
In the case of Golfo de Santa Clara and San Felipe the community will decide the components of their sub-councils. Each sector should choose a representative and substitute who will commit to maintaining all components of said sector informed and involved in the relevant activities which require of the reserves Advisory Sub-council. Check back from time to time to this page for progress on this project.
|
