Progressing Toward Comanagement Through Participatory Research

Abstract

Comanagement, while widely recognized as an important tool for sustainable resource management, is not easily achieved without a process of trial and error. This article reports on participatory research as a means to progress toward comanagement, using a case study of coastal resource management in San Felipe, Yucatán, México. Research methods included geographical information system (GIS) mapping, surveys, interviews, and a community workshop. The results show strong interest from various community groups in the protection of important habitats and in the management of the coastal resources. Through this participatory research, community members, scientists, and government officials entered into a dialogue, suggesting potential for a future comanagement regime.

Keywords:

• coastal resources
• comanagement
• community perspectives
• marine reserve
• participatory research

This article is based on the research funded by the International Development and Research Centre of Canada, in collaboration with CARICOM, Laval University and the International Ocean Institute; CINVESTAV, Unidad Mérida, México; the Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA. The authors thank Dr. Ricardo Torres for his collaboration and contribution to the project, as well as Eliseo Ortiz, Jorge Acosta, Karin Alvarez, Carlos Arceo, and Roberto Vallejo for their assistance. We appreciate the constructive comments from all anonymous reviewers, and we thank Dr. Maurice Lynch, VIMS Emeritus Professor, and Dr. Silvia Salas, CINVESTAV, for their suggestions on the earlier draft, and Lisa Liguori for her editorial assistance. Finally, we truly appreciate the superb collaboration and warm welcome from the people of San Felipe

Notes

Note. Adapted from Chuenpagdee, Fraga, and Euan (2002). 1 = most severe, 7 = least severe.

^a Denotes significant correlation at p = .05.

Note. This table is a summarized result of the workshop, where participants worked together in a small, randomly arranged group to prioritize the resources and activities, and to identify factors and obstacles for success.