{"id":790,"date":"2017-07-20T19:22:06","date_gmt":"2017-07-21T01:22:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marfund.org\/en\/?page_id=790"},"modified":"2021-02-22T14:15:28","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T20:15:28","slug":"mar-connectivity-network","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/marfund.org\/en\/mar-connectivity-network\/","title":{"rendered":"MAR Connectivity Network"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”832″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_single_image image=”738″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our team builds on successful academic and management partnerships that spans five-years between CONANP (Comisi\u00f3n Nacional de \u00c1reas Naturales Protegidas), ECOSUR (El Colegio de la Frontera Sur), CINESTAV (Centro de Investigaci\u00f3n y Estudios Avanzados), NOAA Early Life History Unit at SEFSC, NOAA Physical Oceanography Department at AOML, and the University of Miami-RSMAS (Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science). As a result of this interdisciplinary work, we are obtaining preliminary research and management results including assessments of larval reef fish biodiversity, distribution and relevant coastal oceanographic dynamics.<\/p>\n

This includes fishes that are ecologically and socioeconomically important to the Mesoamerican reef system such as snappers, groupers, parrotfishes and hogfishes. Two broad questions drive this research:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. What is the level of larval dispersal and recruitment connectivity within and amongst the Mesoamerican reef, the Dry Tortugas, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s reserves?<\/li>\n
  2. Is there evidence of self-recruitment within these marine reserves? Reef fish populations are part of one of the most complex ecosystems in the marine environment.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    They are also the most heavily exploited part of the ecosystem and have been pushed to extremely low levels throughout the wider Caribbean. Despite the importance of these populations, relatively little is known about most stages of their life cycles or their interaction with small and mesoscale oceanographic patterns. Important information such as adult spawning behavior, location, and depth of spawning aggregations and recruitment is mostly unknown. Little is known about the status of these fish populations in the western Caribbean along the Meso-American reef system, though stocks there are generally considered to have suffered relatively less exploitation.<\/p>\n

    There are also significant gaps in our understanding of the complex circulation patterns along the western Caribbean\u2019s Yucatan coast where the Caribbean Current and the Loop Current connect and flow into the Gulf of Mexico (Figure). This area plays a potentially important but still unknown role in the route of subtropical gyre circulation which drives the biological production and transport of larvae throughout this region. This research project was designed to provide a baseline study of the fisheries oceanography of the western Caribbean during winter spawning and to provide a basis for future fisheries management decisions.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

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    In addition to multiple inshore surveys that targeted nursery habitats for juvenile and newly settled fishes, shipboard oceanographic surveys were also conducted to establish a baseline of ichthyoplankton abundance and distribution regionally along the reef. Some of the goals and results of this collaborative project include, 1) data applied directly to developing and updating local and regional management plans, and 2) technology\/training transfer for future capacity-building in the local communities and academic institutions, and 3) tools and deliverables for local governmental agencies, resource managers, and stakeholders.<\/p>\n

    The figures below depict sampling locations in relation to MPAs and preliminary results from our fisheries-oceanography cruise in 2006. Grouper (Serranidae) abundance is shown per station at different depths. Also attached is the map with the 14 initial priority MPAs for the MAR Fund.<\/p>\n

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    Because the MAR region has at least 63 coastal and marine protected areas that are part of the national MPA systems of the four countries, the decision to work with a smaller number of areas to integrate the initial network was made. The idea is to begin with a smaller group of priority conservation areas and to incorporate additional groups of areas progressively. To select the priority areas, MAR Fund facilitated a process that included the participation of different actors from the four countries. The methodology that was designed for this purpose was applied initially through four workshops to obtain the national priorities. These results were then analyzed at a regional workshop, in which the number one priorities for the region were defined.<\/p>\n

    The initial network of 14 areas includes the sites indicated in Table.<\/p>\n

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    MPA Capacity-Building and Mesoamerican Reef Connectivity Workshop For further information on connectivity in the MAR, please visit these links:.<\/p>\n

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    [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”410″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”First Regional Connectivity Workshop” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/12″][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_tta_accordion color=”orange” active_section=”10″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Presentations” tab_id=”PresentationsMAR”][vc_column_text]Metas y Resultados Samantha Whitcraft & Estrella Malca \/ NOAA<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Mejorar la capacidad regional mediante la creaci\u00f3n de una Coalici\u00f3n de Conectividad SAM de administradores y cient\u00edficos; proveer un mecanismo y un calendario para las comunicaciones\/colaboraciones entre los administradores, ECOSUR, Fondo SAM y NOAA-CIMAS-RSMAS.<\/p>\n

    <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Priorizaci\u00f3n de APMC del SAM Claudio Gonz\u00e1lez \/ MAR Fund<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Seleccionar participativamente una red de \u00e1reas protegidas marino costeras prioritarias dentro del contexto regional del Sistema Arrecifal Mesoamericano, para la inversi\u00f3n inicial.<\/p>\n

    <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Spawning Aggregations Research Eloy Sosa \/ ECOSUR<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Campo activo de investigaci\u00f3n. Antecedentes en 1910s, de nuevo cobr\u00f3 fuerza desde fines de los 1980s.<\/p>\n

    <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Larval Reef Fish Research Lourdes V\u00e1squez \/ ECOSUR<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Larval Reef Fish Research Lourdes V\u00e1squez \/ ECOSUR.<\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Oceanography Research Laura Carrillo \/ ECOSUR<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Oceanography Research Laura Carrillo \/ ECOSUR<\/p>\n

    <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Larval reef fish and fisheries oceanography research, Mesoamerican Reef \u2013 Overview Samantha Whitcraft & Estrella Malca \/ NOAA <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Larval reef fish and fisheries oceanography research, Mesoamerican Reef \u2013 Overview Samantha Whitcraft & Estrella Malca \/ NOAA<\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Case Study: Fisheries Oceanography in the USVI; management implications & applications Trika Gerard \/ NOAA <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Case Study: Fisheries Oceanography in the USVI; management implications & applications Trika Gerard \/ NOAA
    \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u00c1rea de Protecci\u00f3n de Flora y Fauna Yum Balam Rafael de la Parra \/CONANP<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u00c1rea de Protecci\u00f3n de Flora y Fauna Yum Balam Rafael de la Parra \/CONANP<\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Parque Nacional Isla Contoy Dr. Jaime Gonz\u00e1lez \/ CONANP<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Parque Nacional Isla Contoy Dr. Jaime Gonz\u00e1lez \/ CONANP<\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

    \n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Santuario del Manat\u00ed V\u00edctor Manuel Hern\u00e1ndez \/ SEDUMA<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Constituci\u00f3n Pol\u00edtica de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos.<\/p>\n

    <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel Ricardo G\u00f3mez Lozano \/ CONANP<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel Ricardo G\u00f3mez Lozano \/ CONANP<\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Reserva de Biosfera Banco Chinchorro \/ Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak Mar\u00eda del Carmen Garc\u00eda Rivas \/ CONANP<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Reserva de Biosfera Banco Chinchorro \/ Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak Mar\u00eda del Carmen Garc\u00eda Rivas \/ CONANP<\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Zoe Walker \/ SACD<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Zoe Walker \/ SACD<\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Southwater Caye Marine Reserve Juan Chub \/ Belize Fisheries Department <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Southwater Caye Marine Reserve Juan Chub \/ Belize Fisheries Department<\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Port Honduras Marine Reserve Marlon Williams \/ TIDE<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Port Honduras Marine Reserve Marlon Williams \/ TIDE<\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Refugio de Vida Silvestre Punta de Manabique Edelweiss Hildebrand \/ Fundaci\u00f3n Mario Dary <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Desarrollar un sistema de manejo integrado del ecosistema marino-costero de Punta de Manabique, que permita el mantenimiento de sus procesos ecol\u00f3gicos esenciales y la sostenibilidad en la producci\u00f3n de bienes y servicios derivados: manejo forestal, caza, pesca, tr\u00e1nsito, turismo y desarrollo comunitario.<\/p>\n

    <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Roatan Marine Park Jenny Myton \/ Roat\u00e1n Marine Park <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Roatan Marine Park Jenny Myton \/ Roat\u00e1n Marine Park<\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Sandy Bay West End Marine Reserve Jenny Myton \/ Roat\u00e1n Marine Park <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sandy Bay West End Marine Reserve.<\/p>\n

    <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Green Reef Environmental Institute Valent\u00edn Rosada<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Green Reef is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of Belize’s barrier reef complex and the associated marine environment in order to maintain the integrity of the ecosystems for the benefit of all humans.<\/p>\n

    <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Comunidad y Bidoversidad A.C. Constanza Ribot <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Comunidad y Bidoversidad A.C. Constanza Ribot<\/p>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Agenda” tab_id=”1500592255493-73d274ee-b0ba”][vc_column_text]Agenda<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Este es un taler para promover una mayor comprensi\u00f3n de la conectividad biof\u00edsica a lo largo del Sistema Arecifal Mesoamericano (SAM) y su rol potencial en la gesti\u00f3n a escala de ecosistemas de las \u00e1reas protegidas a trav\u00e9s del intercambio de experiencias e ideas entre la administraci\u00f3n y el personal cient\u00edfico para identifcar metas convergentes\/comunes a largo plazo (ver documentaci\u00f3n de apoyo adjunta:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Mapas de oceanograf\u00eda para pesquer\u00edas de NOA-ELH\/ECOSUR y<\/li>\n
    2. Mapa de AMPs prioritarias del Fondo SAM).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

      [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Participant List” tab_id=”1500592310412-052ae4e9-350d”][vc_column_text]Participant List<\/strong><\/p>\n

      <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

      [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Press Release” tab_id=”1500592361441-c1e2f881-9259″][vc_column_text]Press Release<\/strong><\/p>\n

      M\u00e1s de 40 expertos de M\u00e9xico, Belice, Honduras, Guatemala y Estados Unidos se reunieron del 17 al 19 de mayo del presente en el \u201cTaller de Capacitaci\u00f3n Regional sobre \u00c1reas Marinas Protegidas: Conectividad en el Arecife Mesoamericano\u201d celebrado en el Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) unidad Chetumal.<\/p>\n

      <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

      [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”410″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”Second Regional Connectivity Workshop” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/12″][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_tta_accordion color=”blue” active_section=”10″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Introduction” tab_id=”IntroductionSecond”][vc_column_text]Second Regional Connectivity Workshop<\/strong><\/p>\n

      2nd Regional WORKSHOP:<\/strong> MPA Capacity-Building and Mesoamerican Reef Connectivity<\/p>\n

      Participants<\/strong>: regional natural resource managers, staff and stakeholders that work with\/in the prioritized MAR MPAs.<\/p>\n

      Purpose:<\/strong> This is the 2nd Regional workshop to promote a better understanding of the bio-physical connectivity along the Mesoamerican reef (MAR) and its potential role in ecosystem-scale management of associated protected areas. This workshop is intended to be a practical, hands-on approach in connectivity research and data acquisition.<\/p>\n

      Where: <\/strong><\/p>\n

      Day 1: El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.<\/p>\n

      Day 2: Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico. When: March 13 -14, 2012<\/p>\n

      Goals:<\/strong>
      \nThe workshop goals are a result of the three priorities established by local managers in the 2010 workshop held in ECOSUR, Chetumal, Q. Roo:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Workshop goal: provide hands-on training by experts and exchange experiences in connectivity research in the Mesoamerican region in recruitment, invasive species (lionfish) and transport patterns.<\/li>\n
      2. Management goal: support capacity building in the MAR region by training of local managers and the \u201ctraining of trainers\u201d in connectivity issues and invasive species (lionfish) with parallel protocols.<\/li>\n
      3. Connectivity Research goal: to obtain comparable baseline information on a regional basis, our goal is to carry out at least one simultaneous network-wide activity utilizing the training acquired in this workshop, by combining the biological and oceanographic components in the network of MPAs (at least one MPA per country).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        During the workshop, a proposal will be developed by participants (managers, NGOs and academic partners) that they can coordinate, execute and analyze, with the following components:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. simultaneous collections of recruitment (fish) using settlement traps and<\/li>\n
        2. combination of the biological data with continuous sea temperature measurements by deployment of data loggers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Agenda” tab_id=”1500593390952-ec34d5b5-c1e3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

          Agenda<\/strong><\/h2>\n
          \n

          Day 1<\/h3>\n

          9:00 – 9:15 Welcome & Introduction: workshop goals and expected results (ECOSUR\/NOAA-UM\/MAR Fund)<\/p>\n

          9:15 – 10:30 Mesoamerica reef connectivity research & regional updates from MPA representatives (Government, academic or NGOs): overview presentations by members of the Network on research, management and connectivity related work in the region. (Each presentation will have 15 minutes).<\/p>\n

          10:30 \u2013 10:45 Coffee break<\/p>\n

          10:45 \u2013 13:00 Cont. Mesoamerica reef connectivity research & regional updates from MPA representatives (Government, academic or NGOs): overview presentations by members of the Network on research, management and connectivity related work in the region. (Each presentation will have 15 minutes).<\/p>\n

          13:00 \u2013 14:00 Lunch<\/p>\n

          14:00 – 16:30 Parallel Sessions<\/p>\n

          14:00 \u2013 15:15<\/p>\n

          Group 1<\/h3>\n

          Demonstrative deployment of biological gear, microscope activities, how to prepare the database of larval observations. Led by Lourdes Vasquez-Yeomans and Estrella Malca.<\/p>\n

          Group 2<\/h3>\n

          Introduction to data formats and instrumentation deployment (programming) using the web developed database for the MRS connectivity group. Examples: oceanographic equipment, experimental set up and deployment. Led by Laura Carrillo, PhD. 15:15 – 16:30 Group 2. Demonstrative deployment of biological gear, microscope activities, how to prepare the database of larval observations. Led by Lourdes Vasquez-Yeomans and Estrella Malca. Group 1. Introduction to data formats and instrumentation deployment (programming) using the web developed database for the MAR connectivity group. Examples: oceanographic equipment, experimental set up and deployment. Led by Laura Carrillo, PhD.<\/p>\n

          16:30 – 16:45 Coffee break<\/p>\n

          16:45 – 17:45 Invasive species in the Mesoamerican Reef:Lionfish module, Part 1. Led by Eloy Sosa with collaboration from R. Gomez (CONANP)<\/p>\n

          16:45 \u2013 17:15 Introduction (E. Sosa) – 30 mins<\/p>\n

          17:15 \u2013 17:45 Overview of actions against lionfish (R. G\u00f3mez) \u2013 30 mins<\/p>\n

          \n

          Day 2<\/h2>\n

          06:00 – 7:30 Transportation to Xcalak, a fishing village within the Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak (PNAX). Breakfast will be inside the bus, during the trip.<\/p>\n

          7:30 – 9:00 Field activity to collect deployed gear (biological and oceanographic). This includes: Activities on juvenile\/larval fish recruitment: biological collecting, equipment set up and discussion. Led by Lourdes Vasquez-Yeomans and Estrella Malca. Field activity on coastal oceanography: oceanographic equipment, experimental set up and deployment. Led by Laura Carrillo, PhD.<\/p>\n

          9:00 – 10:00 Lionfish collection. Activity coordinated by PNAX staff (J. G\u00f3mez).<\/p>\n

          10:00 \u2013 10:20 Coffee break<\/p>\n

          10:20 – 12:30 Invasive species in the Mesoamerican Reef:Lionfish module, Part 2. Led by Eloy Sosa, R- Gomez (CONANP), N. Hernandez (PNAC), J. G\u00f3mez (PNAX), E. Caamal (PNIC) and O. Alvarez (CONANP)<\/p>\n

          10:20 – 10:40 Measuring key data on lionfish abundance (N. Hern\u00e1ndez & E. Sosa) \u2013 20 min<\/p>\n

          10:40 – 10:55 Methods for evaluating abundance (E. Sosa & E. Caamal) – 15 min<\/p>\n

          10:55 – 11:10 Fisher participation in control programs, Puerto Morelos case-study (O. Alvarez) \u2013 15 min<\/p>\n

          11:10- 11:25 Public participation in control programs, Xcalak case-study (J. G\u00f3mez) -15 min<\/p>\n

          11:25 – 12:00 Discussion and concluding remarks (R. G\u00f3mez and E. Sosa). 35 min<\/p>\n

          12:00 -13:00 Lunch<\/p>\n

          13:00-14:30 Data analysis of collections\/ sample analysis<\/p>\n

          13:00 – 13:45 Biological data \u2013 45 min<\/p>\n

          13:45 – 14:30 Oceanographic data – 45 min<\/p>\n

          14:30 – 16:30 Project development by participants led by workshop organizers Coordinate and establish objectives, tasks, time frame, expected results, end date, communication protocol for simultaneous deployment of the Connectivity Network in the MAR region.<\/p>\n

          16:30 – 16:45 Coffee break<\/p>\n

          16:45 – 17:30 Workshop wrap up & conclusions (Summaries and lessons learned\/discussions)<\/p>\n

          17:30 – 19:00 Transportation to Chetumal[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Participation List” tab_id=”1500589232123-892e969e-c9af”][vc_column_text]Participant List<\/strong><\/p>\n

          <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

          [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Summary Results 2012″ tab_id=”1500593877723-881ab72d-4d5d”][vc_column_text]Summary Results 2012 <\/strong><\/p>\n

          As planned, this 2nd Regional Workshop took place on March 13 and 14, 2012, in the installations of ECOSUR, in Chetumal, with the second day dedicated to field activities in Xcalak National Park.<\/p>\n

          <\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

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