PROGRAM AREAS - Conservation of the Mesoamerican Reef

Twelve-year Objectives (2003 – 2014)

OBJECTIVE 5: Ensure that a critical mass of hotel chains and cruise lines adopt eco-friendly policies and implement improved construction and service practices in the Mesoamerican Reef.
This objective seeks to foster innovative partnerships among NGOs, governments, the main hotel chains, cruise lines, and tour operators to promote better management practices. A successful alliance should guarantee the health and integrity of the Mesoamerican Reef while strengthening the local economies, the government’s ability to secure long-term returns from an otherwise fragile natural resource, and the tourism industry’s financial bottom line.

OBJECTIVE 6: Improve the management practices of key agro-industries in Belize and Northern Honduras.
This objective seeks to reduce soil runoff and agro-chemical effluents from selected agricultural commodities that directly affect the Mesoamerican Reef. In partnership with NGOs, universities, governments and other donors, we will identify the most damaging practices used by the export crop industry, and will engage the companies’ top leadership to help them implement better management practices.

OBJECTIVE 7: Improve the effectiveness and financial viability of the marine protected areas of Mexico, Belize and Honduras.
This objective seeks to support the most effective strategies that can address the long-term financial and technical needs of the entire system of marine protected areas in the Mesoamerican Reef. We will assess various mechanisms that could be used to capture tourism and other revenues more effectively. Strategies to be considered include fee-based revenue systems, tax incentives, concessions, and debt-for-nature swaps. This objective is closely linked to Objective 2, under the set of six-year objectives above.

Other critical issues that have a direct impact on the future of the Mesoamerican Reef and other important coral reef systems and coastal populations around the world – such as global warming and rising sea levels – are beyond the current purview of our grantmaking program. We are aware of the importance of tackling those overarching challenges, and we enthusiastically endorse efforts to address them.