$3M for Quintana Roo’s Protected Natural Areas

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Fund for the Latin American Reef System (MAR Fund) is currently financing six active conservation projects for ecosystems in protected natural areas across Quintana Roo, with a total investment of approximately three million dollars. Each project receives around half a million dollars in funding.

The conservation initiatives are located in several key areas, including the Chacmuchuch-Manatí corridor in the north of the state; Cozumel; Xcacel and Xcacelito; the Caribbean Mexican Biosphere Reserve; Isla Contoy; and Puerto Morelos.

María José González, the executive director of the 20-year-old fund, stated that the supported projects aim to improve the management of protected areas while simultaneously promoting the participation of local communities. The initiatives focus on fisheries, coral reefs, mangroves, and small-scale Blue Economy projects.

One project, the Chacmuchuch-Manatí coastal marine corridor, is being conducted in conjunction with the Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Natural Areas of Quintana Roo (Ibanqroo). This environmental initiative for ecological tourism has an investment of 500,000 dollars over two years.

“One of our projects is focused on protected natural areas, which is around 500,000 dollars for two years, and the other window is for coral restoration, 300,000 and something dollars for 18 months,” González said. “But in projects like the one in Cozumel aimed at reefs, the amounts can vary from 300,000 to 700,000 dollars depending on the project or each activity.”

Regarding Blue Economy support, the fund is assisting a company that reuses sargassum. It is also conducting community work with various very small-scale entrepreneurs to help them organize and register for this type of activity.

González explained that the fund protects 31 areas across four countries—Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras—to increase community activity, provide equipment, and offer training to make the management of these conservation sites more efficient.

“It is an honor to work in Quintana Roo,” the director stated. “The work that the people do here in the field of conservation and protection is inspiring.”