Community-based management of a mangrove reserve with the Association of Artisanal Fishermen, Shellfish and Allied Costa Rica- Costa Rica Island (Ecuador)

 

 

The community/organization and local perspectives on conservation and stewardship

 

As an Association we have protected and managed 460 hectares of mangrove area since the year 2000. Since that year our association members have been guardians of these areas, and we have focused mainly on the sustainable collection of shells, such as oyster. We have colleagues who also collect crab, and white fish. Shellfish harvesting is done during the day and white fishing is done at night. The island of Costa Rica is a rural coastal community belonging to the Santa Rosa canton. Fishing is carried out by both men and women.

 

Conservation was one of the central ideals of our leaders who founded this organization. This ideal is part of the history of our organization that was formed in the 70s and 80s when shrimp production just surfaced, and has remined a central priority of the association. 

 

Stewardship experience: Social mobilization for mangrove protection and reforestation

 

The issue being addressed:

Following the introduction of shrimp farming in the area, the activity has resulted in the destruction of roughly 70% of the mangrove swamp area in our archipelago. These mangrove areas had been converted into shrimp ponds, which had consequences on local water quality. People went out to protest against this but nothing was achieved initially because they only came out to claim as communes, which were not recognized as legal organizations.

 

The activities: 

Starting in 1998, when I was 17 years old, the idea was born of “why not now go out and claim what little we already have as an organization” and that is how the fishermen began to formalize themselves as a legal organization. This is how we went out to defend our rights and stop the mangroves from being cut down, because it provides a source of work essential for bringing bread for our families. 

 

Physical Activity: Mangrove restoration is being carried out on beaches although now almost everything is reforested. As for species, there used to be hatcheries to promote species regeneration. These are currently not active, but locals plan to resume this activity.

Managing fisheries: Implementing local management controls and fishery monitoring.

Managing aquatic areas: We make a rotating monthly calendar to reduce fishing pressure in certain areas, to ensure that species in these areas are able to regenerate and that the fishery remains productive. Additionally, the community conserves marine species through a self-imposed 40-day ban. It runs from February 15 to March 25. This time of year was chosen since most of our products are exported to Peru, and at that time prices are very low. The community thinks that instead of selling their products at reduced prices, it is better to allow the areas to rest, then they can sell the product at a better price while ensuring the area is not overfished. This ban has been in place since 2019.

Monitoring: There are dedicated personnel who monitor the concessions every day. They are in charge of checking when collection takes place, and ensuring that the species harvested are the correct size for sale.

Communications/ outreach/ other supporting activities: Our organization is part of a UOPAO, which is a union of artisanal fishing organizations of El Oro (Ecuador). The union is in charge of coordinating with the authorities that correspond to each issue being faced. For example, if there is an issue of security at sea, they coordinate with the navy, if it is logging, they coordinate with the Ministry of the Environment. Our association pays $10 a month to the UOPAO for them to represent us.

 

The benefits/impacts including sustainability/environmental effects

The mangrove reforestation efforts have been quite successful, and this has helped support species regeneration and in addressing water quality concerns. Implementing closed seasons has also been found to help reduce overfishing so the sector remains sustainable.

Recognition of the association as a legal organization has allowed the local community to reclaim their right to manage the local mangrove concessions. This has contributed to increased capacity of the Isla Costa Rica community, and has brought local people together with a unified goal of protecting the mangroves which in turn protects their livelihoods. Conservation remains a central long-term ideal of the association.

 

The success and significance of the activities

Once the institution was legally recognized, the idea of mangrove ​​concessions was born, so that once that mangrove area was granted it would be untouchable as it became a reserve area. The Isla Costa Rica community was the first to have custody of mangrove concessions in El Oro, and the second in the country.

 

 

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Fishery Facts

(Below are the applicable categories of fisheries, environment, species, gear type and livelihood role.)

 

Fishery characteristics:

• Marine capture fishery (e.g. nearshore/coastal/reef-based/deep sea)
• Multi-species 

The environment where fishing takes place: 

• Coastal – Nearshore / Estuarine
• Habitat – Mangrove

Main species targeted:

• Marine – Small pelagics (finfish) – e.g. reef fishes/herring/mackerel/sardines
• Molluscs (including bivalves & cephalopods e.g. octopus/clams)
• Crustaceans (e.g. shrimp/prawn/lobster)

Gear types/ methods used:

• Line
• Pot/trap
• Dive
• Beach harvest/gleaning (e.g. collection of shellfish/algae/mangrove crabs etc.)

Role of the fishery in local livelihoods:

• Main source of employment