(Toledo Association for Sustainable Tourism and Empowerment)

(SCMR)

(Co-Managers of the Sapodillas Cays Marine Reserve)

An Exercise in Co-management

   The organization TASTE (Toledo Association for Sustainable Tourism and Empowerment) is the co-management partner with the Department of Fisheries for the Sapodilla Cays Marine Reserve  ("SCMR").  A Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") was signed in February 2001.

   A workshop in co-management was facilitated by Dr. Bob Pomeroy and Dr. Patrick McConney, both of CAMMP/CORECOMP and CCA in August 2001.  Within the body of this workshop the exact definition and outlook for this co-management partnership were clearly outlined.  The following diagram is a matrix of shared responsibility and time.

   TASTE and the Department of Fisheries were asked to clearly indicate where on the curve we thought we were in 'responsibility for management.'  Both agreed that the current (August 2001) position was at about 15% for TASTE and 85% for Fisheries.  The outlook was also plotted (at a point 3 ½ years down the road when TASTE would have to pick up all salaries (expenses in the management of SCMR).

   Both TASTE and Fisheries were content with this expression since it seemed realistic.  TASTE is not currently a well-endowed organization but brings many  skills to the table.  A program of capacitating and training for TASTE/SCMR  will fill the gaps in management necessary for a more responsible partnership.  TASTE will build its abilities in fundraising, project writing, and management in the same time frame.

   Fisheries for its part, is willing to give more responsibility to TASTE for management as skills and capacity are acquired.  This model of co-management is one practiced in the USA and elsewhere.  The co-management model we are more accustomed to is that of the well established environmental NGO as the co-management partner.  In these cases full or nearly full responsibility is given right up front, since the NGO partner has a track record.

   Well established NGO's have one disadvantage, they are very concerned with institutional stability. 

   A community based NGO formed from among members of the local community who care, is an asset not to be thrown away quickly.  Such organizations are not well-endowed and must struggle for credibility and recognition.  The co-management program outlined gives them appropriate growing space.

   Congratulations to the Department of Fisheries for having the foresight to support this program.  We in TASTE would encourage groups like ours to also clarify their responsibility/ time matrices with their partners.  We would like to be in touch with other groups like ours to share experiences.