Promoting Research, Education

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Challenges Facing an MPA Management Authority in
the Context of a Rapidly Developing Tourism
Industry

• Promoting Research, Education Conservation
• James Foley Director of Research Development
  ROATAN MARINE PARK www.roatanmarinepark.com

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Roatan Location
MESO-AMERICAN BARRIER REEF
Map from Humann, 1996
Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Roatan Location Foley J R 2008
Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Roatan Location Foley J R 2008
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MPA timeline in Roatan

• 1988 - Community united and proposed creation of
  a managed marine reserve.
• 1993 - Sandy Bay West End Marine Park (SBWEMP)
  officially designated by Municipality.

Sandy Bay West End Marine Park
Lawson Rock
Key Hole Bay
IKONOS Multispectral image (bands 3.2.1 RGB) a
4m spatial resolution. CALMIT Program U. of
Nebraska. Image acquisition date 10 March 2000.
www.roatanmarinepark.com
Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK History of Roatan Marine Park
Foley J R 2008
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Birth of RMP Phase I - Patrols
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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK History of Roatan Marine Park
Foley J R 2008
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RMP beginnings
Results followed quickly
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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Initial Management Strategies
Foley J R 2008
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Phase II - Infrastructure
Funding Sources
Protected area management in Honduras is not
government-funded.
Increased funding allowed RMP to develop
conservation-based management approach.
RMP maintains all dive moorings in the Marine
Park.Maintenance of mooring sign
infrastructure is a full time challenge!
50 dive moorings15 Yacht moorings10 Fishing
moorings3 Major channels
Voluntary User Fee Bracelets
Merchandise
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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Initial Management Strategies
Foley J R 2008
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Milestones for the RMP
Bringing reef to class and class to reef
First ever recycling program on Roatan

• Assisted in formation of
• Fishermans Alliance
• Water Taxi Association

Environmental Inspections
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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Achievements Foley J R 2008
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Raising Public Awareness
Signs
Brochures
Posters
Website
Public Presentations
Magazine Articles, Videos
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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Public Awareness Foley J R 2008
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Milestones for the RMP
Inspired others to create MPAs
Acquisition of Honduran Non-Governmental
Organisation status
Camp Bay Marine Park
St Helene Patrol Program
Calabash Bight Marine Park
Roatan Marine Park
Roatan Marine Park Southside Chapter
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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Achievements Foley J R 2008
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• Initial management strategies of the Roatan
  Marine Park have been important steps
• But are these enough to balance conservation and
  economic development objectives?

www.roatanmarinepark.com
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Research to Date

• One ongoing coral cover decline study (Keck
  1996-Present)

3. Tuks Treasure
2. Pillar Coral
1. Fish Den
Roatan Marine Park
IKONOS Multispectral image (bands 3.2.1 RGB) a
4m spatial resolution. CALMIT Program U. of
Nebraska. Image acquisition date 10 March 2000.

• coral cover monitored at regular intervals
  over 10 years.
• Two sites inside RMP, one outside, using photo
  transects.

www.roatanmarinepark.com
Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Research to Date Foley J R 2008
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Coral cover decline
Photos Keck 2003-2008 (Roatan Institute of
Marine Science) Ongoing study (reproduced with
permission from J. Keck)
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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Research to Date Foley J R 2008
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Changes in percent coral cover
30-34
Mean coral cover (SE)
17-19
Keck (2003-2008) Ongoing study at Roatan
Institute of Marine Science (reproduced with
permission from J. Keck)
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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Research to Date Foley J R 2008
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Roatan is changing fast
Roatan is struggling to come to terms with its
rapidly emerging new identity
The Roatan Marine Park faces many new challenges
as a result of

• A rapidly developing tourism industry

• Increasing population demographic shift

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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Evolving Pressures Foley J R
2008
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Side effects of tourism
Waste Water
Development
Endangered Species Trade
Garbage
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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Side Effects of Tourism Foley J R
2008
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Obstacles

• Poor level of government support, at times even
  undermining our efforts!
• Poor compliance in all sectors Lack of respect
  for any rules.
• Inadequate legal system not designed to cope
  with new types of pressures.

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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Obstacles Foley J R 2008
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Additional Obstacles
http//info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi2007/pdf/c
98.pdf
Climate Change
Corruption Poor Governance
http//info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi2007/pdf/c
98.pdf
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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Obstacles to Success Foley J R
2008
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A need to branch out
Conservation
Education
Research
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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Preparing for Future Management
Strategies Foley J R 2008
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Future goals

• Zoning foster cooperation between the
  community, the managers and the government.
• Build partnerships with local communities
  businesses, government, universities.
• Promote community participation community-based
  management.
• Diversification of profitable alternative
  livelihood options.
• Increase cooperation with cruise ship companies
  education fund generation

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Challenges to Marine Park Management ROATAN
MARINE PARK Preparing for Future Management
Strategies Foley J R 2008
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Thank you for listening. Any questions?
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