1. Summary
 There
is an urgent need to assure the ecological and economic sustainability
of marine biodiversity conservation. The project will be directed
at procuring and demonstrating the sustainability of marine biodiversity
conservation through the integration of coastal tourism development
with activities by the marine protected areas, using two specific
case studies.
Many marine protected areas (MPAs) are connected
with tourism activities, even though both are developed independently.
Coastal communities are often marginalized by tourism and the
MPAs. This has led to increased environmental degradation, a reduction
in resources and conflicts.
2. Project Goal
Contribute to ecologically and economically sustainable
marine and coastal biodiversity conservation through the integrated
development of coastal tourism and marine protected zones.
3. Principal Objetives
- Examine the relationship, including impacts,
between coastal ecosystems (terrestrial, wetlands, and marine)
that are important for integrated development of tourism and
MPAs
- Examine the role of local communities in
coastal tourism and the MPAs.
- Design and execute strategies and appropriate
guidelines for conservation of marine biodiversity, through
demonstrative activities that link the development of MPAs and
marine-coastal tourism, with participation by local communities.
- Facilitate participation between the two
regions (East Africa and Central America) in experiences generated
during project implementation, and take adva.ntage of lessons
that may have universal application
 The
project will evaluate the impact of marine-coastal tourism on
marine biodiversity and on coastal communities in the two regions
of Central America and East Africa. Results of this evaluation
will be taken into account in carrying out a comprehensive and
cooperative approach regarding tourism and protected area development
in one specific area in each region. Defined on-site activities
will be implemented by national experts, and if necessary, with
additional external experience. However, project performance will
be monitored closely by IUCN. Depending on experiences, strategies
and lines of work will be formulated for a comprehensive and cooperative
approach to the development of tourism and protected areas.
It is anticipated that the project will continue
marine biodiversity conservation, strengthening of regional and
international cooperation, and improvement of South-South collaboration.
This will demonstrate to the private sector its potential for
contributing to marine conservation. Experiences generated throughout
project implementation will have national, regional and global
application. Guidelines produced by the project will be applicable
in other regions.
|
