Conservation Agreement for the Protection of Sea Lion in San Jorge Island, Mexico

In 2012, I secured funds to led a community initiative to establish an agreement to protect a sea lion (Zalophus Californianus) habitat in San Jorge Island in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico. The project aimed to determine the feasibility of implementing a marine protected area (MPA) surrounding the island.

The project involved stakeholder mapping and conversations with fishermen from five coastal communities who fished around the island and often interacted with the sea lions habitat. Conversations gave us the opportunity to discuss with fishermen, raise awareness about the importance of key marine species and to assess their level of commitment. Discussions helped me and my team understand how sensitive conservation issues are in communities economically devastated by past fishing restrictions implemented without their consensus.

At the recommendation of the Centro de Investigación de Alimentación y Desarrollo (CIAD, AC), we decided to downsize the project and work with just one of the communities. We were able to commit a group of fishermen from Ejido Campodónico to attend a series of training workshops for the biological monitoring of sea lions led by CIAD, AC. In return for the collaboration agreement, fishermen receive incentives, including a salary and access to leadership workshops. Together with them, we mapped information about their fisheries that they eventually used to leverage their position in decision-making processes with other stakeholders.

Fishermen from Campodónico feel proud to have a certification that accredits them as biological monitors for sea lions. They have traveled and shared their experiences with other fishermen in the region, which makes them feel respected. The one-year project was funded by the Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza and The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. We partnered with the Mexican Commission for Natural Protected Areas (CONANP).