Debajo sigue la versión en español.

by Andrés M. Cisneros-Montemayor, Nereus Program Manager & Research Associate

Mexico recently released its budget for 2017, and among the top five largest cuts were environmental protection (down by 37%), culture (-30%), and education (-11%). Political rhetoric aside, these cuts reflect a continuing view of these issues as minor, long-term, or otherwise less important or pressing. The problem is, these views also directly contradict a growing recognition in international policy of the importance of the environment, culture and education, in and of themselves, but also as part of an interdependent suite of human development goals.

The global economy has faced difficult challenges during the past decade. The Great Recession of the late 2000s was followed by an economic shock as new technologies contributed to a glut of oil supply and a subsequent drop in prices. These conditions have particularly impacted states dependent on oil exports, such as Mexico, so it is understandable that national budgets must be adjusted accordingly. Nevertheless, this should prompt an increased awareness of renewable resource industries, such as fisheries and forestry, and large investments in education at all levels such that technological development and alternative livelihood creation can help the economy adapt to the new realities of petroleum markets and the ongoing impacts of climate change.

In terms of the marine environment in particular, Mexico already faces some major challenges. According to the Ocean Health Index, which independently evaluates the state of marine ecosystems, Mexico ranks 91st in the world, between Iran and Western Sahara, and this is expected to worsen over the next few years.

As noted above, the state of marine ecosystems impacts many other sectors of society. Commercial fisheries and marine ecotourism are the backbone of many coastal communities throughout the country, and provide a means of employment and income in areas without many alternatives and where under- and unemployment directly contributes to the appeal of joining organized crime. For marginalized coastal Indigenous communities, such as the Seri or Cucapá, marine living resources are a key (and sometimes only) source of food and economic benefits, and a crucial link to cultural traditions. And, as prior concerns with fisheries bycatch, or the looming potential extinction of the vaquita, have shown, there can be serious legal ramifications from environmental management failures.

The good news is that there are many roadmaps that can be used to create national policies that truly break down the flawed dichotomy of “short” and “long” term interests. The UN Sustainable Development Goals and CBD Aichi Biodiversity Targets, among other national and international policy instruments, provide detailed and comprehensive sets of priority goals for ecologically-sustainable human development. Importantly, these plans give ample room for nations to develop strategies for meeting these goals that are appropriate to their particular social and political context. Whatever the strategy, investing in the environment, culture and education cannot continue to be put off; the future may seem far away, but it must begin now.

In terms of the marine environment in particular, Mexico already faces some major challenges. According to the Ocean Health Index, which independently evaluates the state of marine ecosystems, Mexico ranks 91st in the world, between Iran and Western Sahara, and this is expected to worsen over the next few years.

As noted above, the state of marine ecosystems impacts many other sectors of society. Commercial fisheries and marine ecotourism are the backbone of many coastal communities throughout the country, and provide a means of employment and income in areas without many alternatives and where under- and unemployment directly contributes to the appeal of joining organized crime. For marginalized coastal Indigenous communities, such as the Seri or Cucapá, marine living resources are a key (and sometimes only) source of food and economic benefits, and a crucial link to cultural traditions. And, as prior concerns with fisheries bycatch, or the looming potential extinction of the vaquita, have shown, there can be serious legal ramifications from environmental management failures.

The good news is that there are many roadmaps that can be used to create national policies that truly break down the flawed dichotomy of “short” and “long” term interests. The UN Sustainable Development Goals and CBD Aichi Biodiversity Targets, among other national and international policy instruments, provide detailed and comprehensive sets of priority goals for ecologically-sustainable human development. Importantly, these plans give ample room for nations to develop strategies for meeting these goals that are appropriate to their particular social and political context. Whatever the strategy, investing in the environment, culture and education cannot continue to be put off; the future may seem far away, but it must begin now.

 

Image: "Cancun School of fish" by Luis Javier Sandoval

The state of Mexico’s marine ecosystems impacts ecotourism and fisheries — both important industries in the country. Image: “Cancun School of fish” by Luis Javier Sandoval.

 

ANDRÉS CISNEROS-MONTEMAYOR, PHD, FISHERIES ECONOMICS
PROGRAM MANAGER/RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Andrés Cisneros-Montemayor is a resource economist specializing in applied fisheries management and ecosystem services. His research touches on optimal economic policies, co-management, transboundary fisheries, ecotourism, and small-scale and Indigenous fisheries, always with a view to achieving sustainable resource use in a changing world.