Wetland Conservation in Northern Sonora, Mexico: Legal Tools and Active Communities

Abstract

During the global economic boom of the last decade (2000s), the shoreline of northern Sonora became one of the most rapidly growing coastal areas in Mexico, second only to the Caribbean. Many high impact development projects were proposed for the estuaries near Puerto Penasco between Bahia Adair and Bahia San Jorge. Because of the recognized value of these wetlands, a multi-layered suite of legal and management instruments were applied to guarantee long-term protection of these essential habitats. Natural Protected Areas, Federal Zone Concessions and Ramsar Site Designations have been implemented to protect different wetland sites in northern Sonora, Mexico. Development projects are required to present Environmental Impact Studies for approval, and need vigilance to assure maintenance of coastal integrity. These different instruments are being brought to life in a biological corridor near Puerto Penasco, Sonora by active participation of local communities and civil society organizations. The coastal inhabitants of these wetlands have united in processes to zone their use, develop low impact economic activities (resource monitoring, ecotourism and handcrafts), and participate in training and education programs, which also involves the youth. A Ramsar wetland network was formed to link wetland users with each other. Environmental contests and campaigns have engaged the region's youth in working with their communities to solve environmental problems. Fishers are participating in management initiatives for individual species and a vision for ecosystem-based management is growing. The impact of these programs points to an emerging wetland conservation ethic that may prove as important for long-term protection as the other instruments used. We present this process as a model for social participation in management of natural resources that can be used with a variety of user groups and legal tools.