Contacts with the USAID Mission and Embassy

Alternative Management of the Cockle Fishery Significant advances were made with the co-management of the cockle fishery in the last half of 2008. Sampling of the cockle population was conducted 23 months since establishment of the no-take zones. Results showed a significant increase in cockle numbers inside and outside the no-take zones. Signage of the no-take zones was replaced and maintained. Additionally, considerable community outreach and capacity building was conducted to ensure the community is willing and able to continue this work when the SUCCESS Program ends. Most importantly, outreach and awareness-raising was conducted to other coastal communities, government agencies and other researchers in the area. A key event was the “Exchange of Experiences in Diverse Ecosystems for the Management and Protection of the Black Cockle in Pacific Nicaragua”. This event was attended by 104 representatives from the various stakeholder groups. The objective was to bring stakeholders together to resolve common issues related to cockle gathering—e.g., the legalization of co-management, the recent revocation of cockle selling licenses, other food security issues, and extension of the co-management efforts. Several advances were made during this conference. This includes: 1 a commitment from the government to work with the local Committees for Community Power CCP to authorize and control cockle commercialization permits which were earlier revoked without legislative authority; 2 an agreement to work with the CCP to invite the Director of Fisheries to visit the community to discuss the management issues; 3 a decision to integrate the cockle gatherers into the “Zero Hunger” projects to resolve other community problems related to food security and the environment; 4 an agreement between UCA and UNAH to collaborate as universities on cockle research, management, food safety and community organization; 5 the decision to begin work with the cockle collectors to position Aserradores as a tourist destination similar to the cockle collecting community of Poneloya, representatives of which attended the event. Communications and Outreach • Publications: one article on synergies between economic development and coastal management is in draft. • Presentations: Nine presentations were made on various topics including water quality and cockle sanitation, co-management, importance of mangroves, and eco-tourism at national and international events Meetings and visits: UCA has been in discussion with the European Union EU to expand and continue the SUCCESS work in Nicaragua. This included the recent EU agreement to fund work related to good practices and food safety for various products, community organization for cockle gatherers and construction of a collection and packaging center for cockles at Aserradores. Work with LORRNICA continues to provide food and clothing to poor children in the target communities. A visiting student who was included in the cockle population sampling was able to subsequently obtain a grant from the San Mateo Church for food and clothing. Also, UCA and the church are now developing a joint project for cockle management, mangrove protection and tourism for Aserradores. Work continues with the Aquaculture and Fisheries CRSP to continue work on water quality and shellfish sanitation. Biologist Erick Sandoval participated in a CRSP-sponsored international conference in Mexico and presented the joint shellfish sanitation work. Meetings were also held with the mayor’s office in El Viejo to 23