What would happen if one of the richest reef in the Guatemalan Caribbean was declared protected area? That is the proposal of the project of Law 6499, that seeks to incorporate the Arrecife Corona Caimán to the Protected Area Manabique tipin Izabal.
The initiative has aroused the interest of environmentalists, authorities and coastal communities, not only for its potential to conserve marine biodiversity, but also for the legal and social challenges involved in its implementation.
Why is this area so important? What do the actors involved think?
Here we explain the key points to understand the debate.
Why do you want to protect the crown reef Caimán?
The Congress of the Republic analyzes the project of Law 6499which proposes reforms to Manabique Punta Refuge To incorporate the Arrecife Corona Caimán to said protected area, located in the department of Izabal.
This proposal seeks to expand the legal coverage of marine conservation to strengthen the protection of the reef Corona Caimán, one of the healthiest and biodiverse marine ecosystems of Guatemala.
According to him Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) and the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP)the crown reef Caimán represents a marine ecosystem of high ecological value.
It is considered a biodiversity refuge and a key area for sustainable fishing productivity.
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The institutions explained that protecting this reef would allow to guarantee the environmental services that it provides, preserve its natural value and contribute to the well -being of coastal communities, many of which depend on artisanal fishing. However, technical and legal support is still in process.
In a joint statement, Marn and Conap pointed out that, although they value the intention of conserving the reef, in his opinion The bill does not yet meet the requirements established in the Protected Areas Law.
This includes the need for A comprehensive technical study approved by CONAPas well as the favorable opinion of other instances of the executive body and the necessary social support.
The environmental authorities stressed that any new declaration must take into account environmental, social, cultural and economic factors, as well as the possible impacts for nearby communities.
Context: Concerns about fishing and maritime limits
Deputy Karina Paz, promoter of the initiative, said that the central objective is to guarantee the protection of a vital “super reef” for the Marine Biodiversity and for the Mesoamerican reef system itself.
“The CORONA CAIMÁN RECALIFE is key to marine life in the Caribe Guatemalteco. Its conservation is not only urgent, it is essential “he said.
However, he acknowledged that the advance of the initiative faces a geopolitical challenge: the indefinition of the maritime limit between Guatemala and Belize.
“The Differendo with Belize is a real obstacle”he explained.
The deputy stressed that the project seeks to stop activities that already occur in the nucleus zonelike the illegal fishing by foreign vessels, and promote a more sustainable fishing For national communities.
“The goal is to protect this area, to guarantee its marine abundance and, from that, allow fishermen in the region to pass from artisanal fishing to a sustainable industrialist,” he said.
He also considered that part of the rejection is based on misinformation or confusion with other regulations in force, like him Ministerial Agreement 85-2020which established A ban in the area since 2019.
“This proposal is not related to conflicts such as transmayers or conflict with Belizean fishermen. It is important not to mix issues. What we want is to avoid that in a short time we have nothing to protect: empty seas completely contaminated,” he emphasized.
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What do fishermen report?
In parallel to the legislative debate, expressions of concern from artisanal fishermen in the area have emerged.
The group of fishermen from San Francisco del Mar, in Izabalhe has requested the review of the 85-2020 Agreement, which imposed A ban on more than 20 thousand hectares marines to preserve species such as the Caimán Crown and reef areas.
They claim that the measure was implemented without consulting them and that it has seriously affected their livelihood, since it limits access to its traditional fishing areas.
In addition, they have denounced constant conflicts with Belize fishermen, who enter Guatemalan waters, take away networks and threaten them. This, they say, maintains a constant climate of tensions in the area without feeling support from the authorities.
They claim to have lost more than a thousand fishing networks, each valued in More than Q3 thousand. They also point out having invested more than Q200 thousand in efforts and meetings With authorities without obtaining concrete solutions.
Paz, who has followed up on topics in the area, explained that part of the conflict derives from the lack of an official delimitation between Guatemala and Belize in maritime sectors, especially from the Sarstún River to the tip of Manabique.
In some cases, he added, the lack of definition has hindered the performance of the national authorities before incidents with foreign vessels.
“There is no clear limit in the sea, and that is why incidents between fishermen are presented. What bothers the communities is when transmayos are confiscated or stopped, but they are issues that also depend on the pending ruling in the international court on the limits with Belize”, He explained, without directly linking these facts with the bill 6499.
And how does this relate to the bill?
Although fishermen’s concerns are linked to previous regulations and conflicts, confusion between these complaints and the content of the Bill 6499.
Both authorities and the promoter deputy have clarified that the legislative initiative is independent of the current ministerial agreements and does not seek to restrict rights without dialogue or technical studies.
At the moment, the future of the Corona Caimán Arrecife depends on the necessary studies and the dialogue with the communities are strengthened.
In summary
- He Bill 6499 seeks to incorporate the Arrecife Corona Caimán to the protected area Manabique tip.
- Marn and Conap recognize the ecological value of the reef, but point out that the project You must still meet legal and technical requirements.
- The social context includes concerns for previous regulations (such as Agreement 85-2020) and maritime conflicts that affect artisanal fishing.
- There is no open opposition to the bill, but its advance requires technical and social dialogue.
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