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At Centro Ecol�gico Akumal, 2015 will mark the beginning of a new approach to dealing with the visible and marked decline in the ecosystem of the ocean and bay and the water quality of the Akumal area.
We have done our research, and we are embarking on action plans to deal with each area of concern. From the barrier reef, and the decline of fish populations and death of the coral itself, to the health of the bay and our resident turtles, to the underground river systems with polluted waters that come from areas that lack sewage treatment, and which feed into the ocean: these are the programs that will present solutions, put them into first gear, and provide ongoing action plans that will run in conjunction with the research. This way we can monitor our progress, report our results and then transfer them to the local community, like first beneficiaries for better coastal management of all of Akumal. And, in the end, it can be a model for other areas to follow.
This would not be possible without the hard work of our staff and volunteers, the funding of our generous donors, and the support and help from the community. It's a team effort, and we invite you to read on and be part of the solution.
Iv�n Peni�
Conservation Programs Coordinator
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 MEET OUR NEW DIRECTOR Hector A. Lizarraga-Cubedo
Hector Lizarraga has a proven record of active participation on local, state and national committees regarding environmental issues, with a focus on marine and fisheries, natural protected areas, biodiversity, coastal management, hydrological processes and environmental education among others.
For the last nine years Hector has worked for the state government of Quintana Roo as Director of Environment, as Director of Biodiversity and Protected Areas, as Director of Environmental Law Enforcement and, most recently, as Director of the Regional Fisheries Research Centre at Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, with the National Fisheries Institute.
I am fully committed to the protection of Quintana Roo's environment and am thankful for the opportunity to work at CEA alongside the experienced and talented team of scientists and staff. Akumal is unique for its people, its culture, its history and most importantly, its natural resources.
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A BIT ABOUT THE WATER QUALITY PROGRAM
CEA's Water Quality Program was reinitiated in mid-2014, laying the groundwork with preliminary research and a program framework. While we know WHAT is degrading the quality of the water (contamination), the key factor in developing this program is being able to do the field work to identify WHERE the contamination is coming from and HOW it is making its way to the sea, and then implement specific action plans to address the water quality issues in the region.
The overarching objective of this program is to reduce dramatically the waste water reaching the sea by working in watershed research and protection, and by promoting wastewater treatment technologies.
The required field work to support this objective includes:
- Monitoring and modelling the water quality in bays and coastal lagoons
- Working with public and government sectors to improve the infrastructure to manage and treat the waste water for Akumal
- Performing outreach activities (education in schools and collaboration with various associations and levels of government) to promote improved watershed management in urban areas and in the tourism industry.
UPCOMING
A meeting will be held in the coming month for stakeholders in the areas of the Akumal community that lack sewage treatment. The purpose is to discuss solutions, and to create a unified message and approach to presenting the details to the authorities. Further information and outcomes will be presented in the March/April edition of this newsletter.
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ADOPT-A-TURTLE CAMPAIGN (DECEMBER 2014)
THE RESULTS ARE IN
The December 2014 Adopt-A-Turtle Campaign was a success with 36 adoptions totalling $1720 (USD).
The funds donated will go directly to the Sea Turtle Protection Program for the 2015 nesting and hatching season.
HOW WILL THE FUNDS BE USED?
The Sea Turtle Protection Program has a running wish list of items that volunteers and staff use (and need) while patrolling the beaches and doing the monitoring work. Currently the wish list includes:
- Walkie Talkies (a set of four)
- Rechargable flashlights
- Rain jackets
- Materials for signs
THANK YOU!
With your generous donations, we will be able to purchase these items. More specific updates on the purchases will be available in the June/July edition of the newsletter.
Those of you that made adoptions this year will be pleasantly surprised with what we have in store for giving you updates on your adoption.
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ANNUAL RESULTS: A SNAPSHOT
Since 2006, CEA has been implementing a monitoring program in Akumal in order to generate sound information about the condition of the present ecosystems, to develop adequate strategies of coastal management, and to grow awareness with the local users.
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED SO FAR
The coral reefs in Akumal have undergone a considerable degradation through time, mainly as a result of the effects of anthropogenic activities (water pollution, coastal erosion, direct harm by massive tourism, overfishing) and global warming. Main results have shown that stony coral cover has diminished some 50% between 2006 and 2014, showing high disease and bleaching rates, meanwhile algae cover has increased its dominance on the reef-covering more than 60% of it nowadays. On the other hand, fish biomass of species with commercial importance has decreased about 40% since 2006 and seagrass abundance has also decreased considerably in the last six years, from around 30% cover to some 10%.
WHAT IS CEA DOING?
For better understanding, control and mitigation of the factors leading to the detriment of the coastal ecosystems in Akumal, CEA is developing and implementing strategies to continue studying and conserving the ecosystems under an integral scope. This includes:
- the reef and seagrass restoration program
- monitoring the effects of marine pollution over algae expansion
- monitoring of the effects of massive tourism over fish and sea turtle population behaviours
It is from the research and monitoring that allows CEA to obtain critical information and collate data to in turn create strategies for change and develop action plans to put into play.
These programs and activities aim to preserve their biologic integrity and the valuable ecological services they provide to the community.
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Education and awareness are the keys for change. This is our belief at CEA and the reason why we have dedicated programs and staff to provide environmental education to students of all ages, in and out of the classrooms.
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At the end of January, the Montessori School of Playa del Carmen came to Centro Ecol�gico Akumal to learn about sea turtles, corals, and the protection and conservation of our environment through a variety of activities designed for all learner types.
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CEA's biologist and environmental educator, Lidia Main Rosas, explains to students from the Montessori School of Playa del Carmen the simbiotic relationships with corals and fish.
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DID YOU KNOW
Lidia currently teaches environmental education and sustainability classes three times per week to five different classes at the Telesecondaria in Akumal pueblo.
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Volunteers are the heart and soul of CEA. Whether they are in the field monitoring and collecting data or inputting it for reports, their work plays a critical role in fulfilling our mission of conservation and protection through research, education and policy.
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Sarah conducting reef monitoring in Akumal.
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NAME: Sarah
HOME: Germany
PROGRAM: Coastal Ecosystems Program (Reef Monitoring Project)
When I found CEA, I was looking for an opportunity to volunteer overseas, preferably in a tropical country, so that I could flee the European winter. I am a marine biologist, so it was no question for me to get engaged in marine conservation. However, after having focused on marine microbiology and biogeochemistry in the last years, I thought learning something new would be cool too. I've also been a certified diver for a year, so joining the Coastal Ecosystems Program focusing on the the reef monitoring project was a perfect match for my skills and professional and personal interests.
SO FAR SO GOOD
It has been great, two weeks into the start of the program, we are learning a lot about the species of fishes and corals in the Akumal bay and the threats to the environment by different human actions. It is actually very sad to see with my own eyes, how many of the corals are already damaged and how crucial it is to protect the remaining. This is also what I like about CEA, because the organization works on different aspects, monitoring the reef and the water quality, bay management and environmental education, findings can be put into actions directly.
ANYTHING ELSE?
What else is there to say?! I am very happy to be here, meet new people, learn a lot, contribute to the monitoring project, enjoy diving and snorkeling in the bay as well as living in the Caribbean--I have paradise at my front door every day.
For the first three weeks of the reef monitoring project, students are required to learn coral, fish, algae, seagrass and other invertebrate species identification which follows the MBRS (Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System) criteria and guidelines. Working from one methodology ensures that all monitoring and data collected have been done so in an appropriate and accurate manner and adheres to set standardization.
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CREATING COMMUNITY
Created in 2013 by artist Kim Schultz, AIAR (Akumal International Artist Residency) gives professional working artists the chance to escape from the distractions at home and create a unique space for two-way inspiration and community building.
Community, as Schultz puts it, is multi-layered. First, it is the immediate artistic community-being together with like-minded individuals to support each other's passions and pursuits. Expanding from there you have the next layer with the communal living space at the CEA dormitories, which is a separate community itself. The artists are able to interact with CEA volunteers and gain exposure to different individuals with diverse cultures, backgrounds and professions. And then the third layer of community includes the people of Akumal.
Schultz explains, "This feeling of being part of a larger community is cultivated by hosting events and classes to interact with various residents and visitors of Akumal. Engaging in these art activities gives the community an opportunity to do something new and get inspired. But more often than not, the artists themselves gain even more inspiration from these events, particularly with the kids."
And for Schultz and the past artists, that is one of the things that always seems to surprise them-the inspiration that comes from the people and the sense of community.
"The artists are always impacted in some way. Whether that is in the conceptualization of a piece or the process of creating it ... all the layers of the community, the interactions and the reciprocity are part of this experience and it can be seen in the art," says Schultz.
"It's impossible to do this alone. The support of the community-from attending events, offering rides, donations of wine, director housing, even lending cake pans for a class-makes the residency possible. And for that, I am completely grateful."
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A UNIQUE COURSE--MIXING CULTURE AND CONSERVATION
The "Marine Conservation and Mayan Culture in the Mexican Caribbean," is part of Saint Mary's College's unique January term program that requires students from all different majors to participate in. The purpose of the January term (or Jan Term) at Saint Mary's is to expose students to different things, broaden their horizons and help them gain a more worldly, global perspective.
While in Akumal the students worked on three main research projects: conducting informational surveys with beach go-ers to discover such things as why people come to Akumal, how they learned about this place, and if they knew the guidelines for snorkeling with the turtles. The second project was looking at the numbers of turtles in the bay at different times of the day and how that was affected by factors such as the number of people in the water. The third project focused on sea turtle behavior: how their behavior was affected by humans, and the numbers and types of guidelines that were broken by people observing the turtles in Akumal Bay.
The course was designed by long-time visitor of Akumal, Dr. Sonya Schuh-Huerta, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology at Saint Mary's. When asked about why Akumal and why this program, Dr. Schuh-Huerta explained:
I've been visiting Akumal for the past 13 years and I truly fell in love with this place. I learned about CEA and the major challenges between trying to balance "ecotourism" and protecting the marine environment, along with the exponential increase in human development and tourism over the years. I wanted to bring 16 students with me to help contribute to CEA's mission, learn about this beautiful, fragile ecosystem, learn about another culture and environment, and also expose my students to scientific marine field research. We couldn't have been more proud of these students-how hard they worked, the excellent data that they collected, and how enthusiastic and involved they were.
This past January was the pilot project for this course. However, Dr. Schuh-Huerta is eager for Saint Mary's to approve this course in future terms. This course was unique in that it brought together and drew upon the strengths of diverse students from both science and non-science backgrounds and taught them about marine biology, conservation and how to conduct scientific studies. It is one of the few Jan Term courses where actual hands-on scientific research was conducted.
"I am thrilled with the prospect of continuing this course and this collaboration with CEA well into the future. The missions of CEA and of Saint Mary's are actually very similar-to make a positive impact in the world through education and research. It is a win-win for everybody and I know that together we truly can make a bigger difference," adds Dr. Schuh-Huerta.
Note: At time of writing, data was being crunched and reports were being finalized. Findings will be shared once collated and compiled.
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SHARK DAY AT CEA
FEBRUARY 19 // 3-6PM
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
3 P.M.
Dr. Mauricio Hoyos: "White Shark in Mexico"
Dr. Hoyos began his career as a shark nursery and reproductive biology expert, and has since dedicated his professional life to the behavior of sharks. He has helped found the Divulgation and Research of Sharks and Rays from Mexican Waters Group, and is currently a member of various shark conservation foundations, including Saving Our Sharks in Playa del Carmen.
4 P.M.
Documentary "M�xico Pel�gico" by Pelagic Life
M�xico Pel�gico invites audiences to engage with Mexico's rich and majestic oceanic treasures, to be inspired and awed to take up the mantle of respect and conservation through ecotourism.
5 P.M.
Underwater Photos Auction
Bid on some of the best underwater images taken by local photographers. All funds raised from the auction go to Saving Our Sharks to help with conservation, research and education efforts.
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Alberto Friscone-- diver, instructor, photographer, videographer and conservationist.
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PHOTO EXHIBIT BY ALBERTO FRISCIONE
Getting into Oceans
February 15-19 @ CEA
Come see some of the most breathtaking photos capturing the beauties of sea life from around Mexico.
Alberto Friscione began experimenting with underwater photography and video 24 years ago. As a photographer and videographer, Friscione has worked with the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. He has traveled and photographed the aquatic world throughout several Caribbean islands and Mexico, including the Mexican Caribbean. Alberto Friscione has also created a vast collection of his own marine life documentaries.
SHARK DAY is presented by Saving Our Sharks: an organization formed with the objective of researching, conserving and protecting bull sharks in Quintana Roo.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SAVING OUR SHARKS
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In the CEA atrium, there is a guestbook for visitors to sign. Here are some of our favorite comments from the past months.
Saving turtles and the sea is very important work. Thank you!
Laurie Ross, Madison Wisconsin, USA
We loved the turtles-amazing little creatures.
Rachel and Mark Costello, England
Beautiful place-please treasure it.
Ricardo Cruz, Mexico
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Whether you are looking for an internship or ways to incorporate responsible tourism activities into your travel plans, drop us a line. We would love to hear from you and see how we can work together. comunicacion@ceakumal.org
DONATE Your contribution supports CEA's conservation efforts.
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STAY CONNECTED
 
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