Mahahual marks 9 years of marine reserve conservation

Mahahual Celebrates Ninth Anniversary of Mexican Caribbean Biosphere Reserve

The community of Mahahual commemorated the ninth anniversary of the decree that established the Mexican Caribbean Biosphere Reserve, a Protected Natural Area created to safeguard the richness of the Mesoamerican Reef System, whose marine corridor extends off the coast of this locality. The day included informational talks, conservation activities, and community gatherings organized by the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas and environmental associations.

During the event, specialists emphasized that Protected Natural Areas are essential for protecting ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, such as wetlands, mangroves, seagrass beds, and reefs. These spaces guarantee fundamental environmental services: provision of clean water, carbon capture, climate regulation, and safe habitats for flora and fauna species.

Specialists and environmental associations conducted workshops and talks on marine biodiversity. They also promote research, education, and sustainable tourism activities, which benefit communities living in their area of influence. Therefore, social participation is considered a pillar in their conservation.

The decree that established the Mexican Caribbean Biosphere Reserve was published on December 7, 2016, in the Official Gazette of the Federation, during the COP13 Biodiversity conference held in Mexico. The reserve encompasses five marine ecoregions: Southern Gulf of Mexico Platform, Mesoamerican Caribbean Platform, Mesoamerican Caribbean Slope, Yucatán Basin, and Cayman Mountain Range. Its extension includes areas of Isla Mujeres, Benito Juárez, Puerto Morelos, Solidaridad, Cozumel, Tulum, Bacalar, and Othón P. Blanco, with a total area of 5,754 hectares.

The actions included fauna monitoring and beach cleanups in key areas of the Mexican Caribbean. The Mexican Caribbean is characterized by diverse habitats: in the terrestrial environment there are tropical forests, such as medium subperennial forest, medium subdeciduous forest, and low forests; in the coastal environment there are coastal dunes, sandy beaches, and coastal lagoons with vegetation such as floodplain grasslands, petenes, and manglares.

It hosts 50% of the Mesoamerican Reef System, making this the first and only transboundary barrier reef in the world.

The community reinforced its commitment to protecting the Mesoamerican Reef System. Víctor Rosales, from the Aak Mahahual Project, detailed that this anniversary was accompanied by activities focused on active conservation. He explained that beach cleanups were conducted, patrols in turtle nesting areas, and biological monitoring using camera traps targeting priority species listed in NOM-059 of Semarnat, such as jaguar, tapir, ocelot, puma, and birds like the pheasant.

Additionally, training sessions were provided to the community group, and environmental education sessions were conducted for children and youth. Workshops on sea turtles, bird watching activities with binoculars, and visits to community centers and schools were offered to share information that helps strengthen knowledge and awareness about the natural environment.

Rosales noted that these actions seek to promote greater commitment to caring for the protected area and its zone of influence.

The celebration of the ninth anniversary became a space to reflect on conservation progress and to reaffirm the shared responsibility of maintaining healthy ecosystems.