Roxana Margarita Lopez Martinez
El Salvador has an extension of 21,000 km2, and a high population density with 285 inhabitants/km2, also thanks to its geographical position, geological history and topography, it has a considerable wealth of terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems (MARN/UNDP/GEF 2003). However, El Salvador presents clear signs of environmental deterioration that put the survival of its population at risk (MARN 2003). The deep-rooted culture of fires causing soil degradation and a decrease in forest cover, the constant repetition by fishermen about the decrease in fishing, and the evident erosion and sedimentation in coastal areas that caused the instruction of the sea in communities are just a few examples of these threats.
The System of Protected Natural Areas of El Salvador, created in 1998, through article 78 of the Environmental Law, is organized into 15 conservation areas, which include 109 protected natural areas, of which one is marine (MARN, 2003; MARN 2016). With only one marine protected area, our country may still be immersed in a culture with its back to the sea, or perhaps we are still in a pilot phase regarding the management of these areas.
This essay raises the different aspects by which marine protected areas represent a challenge for the processes of management and conservation of natural resources that the Salvadoran coastal zones represent, beginning with the description of the current management of the first natural protected area in the country. and likewise: the only one. The objective of this essay is to describe the threats and challenges faced by the Los Cóbanos Complex Protected Natural Area” in order to carry out an integral management of its resources. For this purpose, I will first mention the current conditions of the area, as well as its main problems, then I will describe the area’s management strategies, and finally, I will provide some recommendations.
Los Cóbanos, a marine protected area officially declared by Executive Decree in 2008, includes a marine (20,763 ha), estuarine and terrestrial (576 ha) area with a total of 21,312 ha. Los Cóbanos is not only the first marine protected area established in the country, but also the largest in the SANP. It is the only place in the country where reef-forming corals, fan corals, a great variety of invertebrates, fish, cetaceans, among others, occur. The place is highly important for fishing due to the presence of species of fish, crustaceans and molluscs of nutritional importance (Arivillaga et al. 2009).
Being a site of particular scientific interest due to its biodiversity and ecological importance, research has been carried out with the participation of national and foreign scientists, in addition to those carried out by thesis students and consultants for studies of interest to the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARN). ), has also been the subject of sea turtle conservation projects implemented through the synergistic efforts of institutions such as the Foundation for the Protection of Los Cóbanos Reef (Fundarrecife) which is the co-manager of the area, the Initiative Fund for the Americas (FIAES ), Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative (ICAPO), Living Territories Association (ATVES) and MARN; these have counted on community involvement and environmental education activities that are limited to the duration of the projects.
Despite being one of the largest protected areas in the country and considering its extension and national importance, it has the presence of only three MARN park rangers and few volunteer programs and most importantly: the absence of an official management plan.
Another aspect that as Salvadorans we cannot ignore is the social problems triggered by the presence of gangs, which is undoubtedly a factor that limits work in the coastal zone, and from which Los Cóbanos is not exempt; Added to an unordered and educated tourism that lies in the fact that the majority of the Salvadoran population is unaware that we have a rocky coral reef, and the counterpart: when connoisseurs of biological and geological wealth show little responsibility and commitment to conservation carrying out excessive extraction activities.
Personally, I have identified an aspect that limits the improvement in management activities: the absence of training for updating and feedback for the adequate management and conservation processes, in addition to the existing disarticulation in the institutions and the limited citizen participation who do not demonstrate roots and belonging. of the place where they coexist, triggering a lack of control in the use of resources. Legal instruments support actions in favor of efficient and comprehensive management, however, their application is another stagnant aspect, which reminds us of the statement by Ostrom 2000a: When users openly discuss and agree on their own levels of use and their systems of sanctions, non-compliance with the agreements remains very low and results close to optimal are obtained.
The Law of Protected Natural Areas, whose competent authority is MARN, aims to regulate the establishment, administration, management and increase of Protected Natural Areas, in order to conserve biological diversity, ensure the functioning of essential ecological processes and guarantee the perpetuity of natural systems, through sustainable management for the benefit of the country’s inhabitants (MARN 2005); However, in my opinion, although there have been great steps in favor of conservation in Los Cóbanos, there are still many aspects to address, including effective evaluations of the management processes to guarantee that it is developed in an integral, collective manner and that the use of the resource be considered according to its limits. Likewise, defining the limits of the resource and those authorized to use them can be seen as the first step of collective organization. As long as these boundaries of the resource and/or those with the right to appropriate the resource remain undefined, no one knows what is being managed or who is managing the resource (Ostrom 2000b).
Finally, there is no doubt that the management and conservation of the marine coastal zones of El Salvador require inter-institutional participation, true will and community participation, however, the struggle lies in achieving a balance between these three axes.
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