The Mesoamerican Reef System (MAR) is the most critical reef in the western hemisphere, extending over 1,000 km along Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras coasts. The health of the MAR is critically threatened by overfishing, algal blooms on corals, water pollution, and global warming.
Despite regulatory efforts in the marine-coastal zones of the Yucatan Peninsula, fishery production of some commercially and ecologically valuable species continues to decline significantly. According to the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative (HRI) the Reef Health Index (RHI) in Quintana Roo has remained "Regular" (2.8) due to the steady decline of commercial fish (939 g/100 m²) and high values of fleshy macroalgae (18%). Although coral cover slightly increased (1%), this sampling was conducted before the white syndrome outbreak (HRI, 2020).
In response to the above, the AKK is an intersectoral initiative for sustainable fishing management and marine conservation in the Yucatan Peninsula. It works on the design and establishment of FRZ.
FRZ are no-fishing zones that allow marine species to reproduce and recover, which contributes to conserving marine biodiversity and improving the well-being of the communities that depend on these resources.
The lines of work that guide the actions of the AKK are:
- Design and establishment of FRZ.
- Monitoring of the legal framework, control, and surveillance of FRZ.
- Socioeconomic development of coastal communities.
- Training and sensitization for fisheries management and marine conservation.