77
CHAPTER 12 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
12.1 Introduction
Chapter ten discussed how perceptions and uses of natural resources are highly differentiated among community members based on their socioeconomic status. The
different perceptions between socioeconomic sectors will also result in variations in the levels of understanding and acceptance of ICM interventions. Thus, there cannot
be simply one program to effectively institute sustainable resource use practices. A multiplicity of factors needs to be addressed to adapt project activities to local
conditions. This chapter will highlight some of the key coastal resource management issues in Mahahual and recommend ICM strategies based primarily on the analyses of
previous chapters and the incorporation of numerous suggestions made by key informants for ICM projects.
Observations, key informant interviews, and analysis of the surveys indicate that many residents of Mahahual are caught at the crossroads between seeking
economic opportunity and looking to preserve the quality of life and integrity of resources that initially attracted them to Mahahual. Almost all of the respondents and
key informants indicated that they would like to see tourism develop in Mahahual. However, concerns were expressed that excessive or ill-planned development could
lead to pollution, beach access problems, reinforcement of economic and social stratification, and social problems such as crime and prostitution that would disrupt the
tranquillity and natural beauty of Mahahual. Evidence of their concerns has already materialized as portions of the beach have been fenced off and privatized.
12.2 Perceived Needs and Key Management Issues
This section will identify critical management issues as determined through observation, key informant recommendations, and analysis of perceptions of coastal
resources. Olsen, Lowry, and Tobey 1999 claim “nothing is more critical to the success of a given generation of [coastal management] than the selection of the issues
- both the problems and the opportunities – that a coastal management initiative will address.” The main need of the community in Mahahual, as expressed by several key
informants, is infrastructure development such as electricity, piped water, improved roads, and solid waste management. Other informants discussed the importance of
education a secondary school has since been established, cooperation among community members, organizational development, and shifting the economic base
away from the declining fishery. The following section outlines issues that were identified by key informants, observation, andor analysis of socioeconomic data.
12.2.1 Environmental issues
a Resource use contributing to environmental degradation, including fishing practices that cause significant damage to coral reefs
b Tourism practices that damage coral reefs c Increased tourism development resulting in environmental degradation
d Lack of an effective solid waste management program
78
e Water quality issues such as groundwater contamination f Perceptions of local residents suggested that they are generally amenable to
ICM initiatives: i Many residents perceive that resources are becoming degraded
ii There is a general understanding that there are connections between
human activities and the condition of natural resources, particularly by the wealthy and educated
12.2.2 Social issues
a Beach access could be limited by tourism development b Land tenure issues such as fear of geographical displacement by tourism
c Residents will need capacity building to accommodate the shift toward tourism as an economic base, since many have had no previous tourism
experience particularly the long-term residents d Fear that tourism development may increase social and economic stratification
and increase social problems e Wealthy and educated residents have perceptions about coastal resource that
indicate they are more likely to understand and engage in ICM initiatives. f In general, poorer respondents are more dependent upon coastal resources
particularly fisheries. g Current lack of adequate employment opportunities
h Inadequate educational opportunities
12.2.3 Institutional issues
a An expressed lack of functioning community organizations. b Potential and real sea tenure conflicts between free fishermen and cooperative
members c Insufficient compliance regarding environmental regulations resulting from
laws that are difficult to comply with e.g., expensive and difficult to understand and ineffective vigilance by community residents and
government agencies. The following section briefly discusses the need and context of interventions
which address the issues outlined above.
79
12.3 Suggested Interventions: An Opportunity for Integrated Coastal Management in Mahahual