Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA) in the MAR
| A Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) is an area that requires special protection through the intervention of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), due to its recognized ecological, socioeconomic, or scientific importance, and which may be vulnerable to damage caused by maritime traffic. | The strategic importance of designating a PSSA in the MAR was reflected in the Tulum Declaration, signed by the governments of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize: “To jointly request that the International Maritime Organization declare the Mesoamerican Reef System a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area, with the aim of contributing to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the region.” |
In support of this initiative, since 2020, MAR Fund, through the Reef Rescue Initiative and in collaboration with key partners in the region, has conducted initial consultations to analyze the processes required by the IMO in order to propose the MAR region as a PSSA. To further support this work, the PROCARIBE+ project will contribute to ongoing efforts to develop a proposal for submission to the IMO. A project working group has been established to oversee the implementation of these activities. |