Implementing a Coastal Marine Spatial Planning and Management Process

When I served as Assistant Director for the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans (CEDO, Inc.) in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, I participated in implementing a coastal marine spatial planning and management process. 

The bottom-up process, set up in a biological–fisheries corridor in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico, advocated for traditional community interests to be the core of the decision-making procedure. The process brought together members of six fishing communities, including fishermen, authorities, youth, and other stakeholders, to discuss and design their future. Previous spatial planning processes in the region were incomplete or not enforced. Also, changing socio-economical and political conditions did not help.         

The management model consisted of creating a multi-tiered system, including an Intercommunity Group, integrated by representatives from the six communities, a Technical Group, incorporated by environmental experts, and a Nuclear Group of authorities. The Technical Group worked integrating data and modeling management scenarios based on goals set up by the community. The Nuclear Group provided its expertise and advice on designing and advancing regulation. The Intercommunity Group worked hard, attending workshops and talks to create a unified vision for their ecosystem. 

Experts would present a management model to the communities, and community members would discuss and give feedback. There were several iterations of the process until all parties reach a consensus on the best management scenario for their activities. The three groups set up a transparent deliberation process that helped the formalization of management instruments and implementation.

The German Corporation for International Cooperation, GmbH (GIZ), funded the project through its Blue Solutions initiative. Other partners included WWF-Slim Foundation and EDF Mexico Foundation.