The Future of Akumal Bay
In light of PROFEPA's (Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection) recent suspension of commercial snorkeling activities in Akumal, the long-overdue question remains: How should Akumal Bay be managed, to most effectively conserve its natural resources as well as foster local economic development?
This longstanding question applies to many coastal communities across the world that rely heavily on their ecosystem services. In addition to developing policies to support the needs of a local community, an added challenge, particularly applicable to Akumal, is supporting the surge in commercial tourism activities. Harnessing the potential to effectively meet the needs of both, by engaging local businesses through eco-tourism, requires carefully designed regulation and policy to ensure minimal environmental impact and the delivery of high-quality visitor services.
The current management of commercial activities in Akumal operates under annual permits and guidelines. SEMARNAT (Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources) carries out the issuance of permits to commercial bodies and PROFEPA is the main enforcement body. Once permits are issued, operators are expected to abide by prescribed guidelines of best practice.
However, the fundamental problem, which is characteristic of environmental regulation as a whole, is the lack of enforcement capacity and compliance. With inconsistent ad hoc enforcement methods carried out by the Vigilancia Committee and no serious consequences for non-compliance with guidelines, there is no effective incentive structure for commercial operators to follow the guidelines and conditions of the permits.
In order to improve these management problems, several things must occur:
1. Collaboration
Must adopt an inclusive approach to policy making. Multi-stakeholder collaboration is crucial to ensure the success of the regulation and its ultimate compliance. Therefore, local organizations, commercial operators, academic community, scientists, and civil society must be consulted and involved in the design and development of regulation and a management system that best serves Akumal Bay. This includes drafting clear guidelines known by all relevant parties, to ensure consistent messages and frameworks.
2. Design
Through stakeholder consultations and an inclusive process, stronger conditions and methods of enforcement must be designed---for example, penalties for non-compliance, or a mechanism that rewards compliance and best practice.
3. Monitoring
To ensure transparency and accountability in commercial operations, reporting and information-disclosure mechanisms could be a requirement as part of the permits. Further, information disclosed must be accessible to the public, such as through an online database or regular publications. That way, the public may also serve as a quasi-regulatory body and it places pressure on operators to comply with established guidelines.
Regardless of what approach and management tools are utilized, serious concerted efforts must be made to ensure the effective management of Akumal Bay. It comes down to the political will of local government and collaboration with all involved.
Effective management is not only crucial for the health of natural resources and prosperity of local communities, but it benefits government the most.
Ensuring long-term sustainability secures a constant stream of funds and avoids the significant costs of ad hoc enforcements such as the recent commercial activity suspensions and the inevitable restoration and rehabilitation expenditures that will incur if unsustainable practices that overexploit resources continue. Therefore, it is in the best interest of all parties, to unite in the common purpose to work on a sustainable strategy for the future of Akumal Bay.
Mary Hahm is a recent MSc in Environment and Development graduate from London School of Economics, Mary is passionate about sustainable development and the interplay between economic growth and societal development. Committed to driving innovative environmental and social change, she hopes to employ her legal and international development background for the betterment of the environment and society.
