Management effectiveness in marine protected areas for conservation of Antillean manatees on the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Chetumal Bay Manatee Sanctuary demonstrates the highest management effectiveness (71%) for conserving Antillean manatees among three marine protected areas (MPAs) on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, outperforming Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (53%) and Yum-Balam Flora and Fauna Reserve (43%). This evaluation, based on 199 interviews across seven communities, assessed traditional knowledge, conservation actions, stakeholder engagement, and socio-economic impacts. While MPAs varied in governance and context, standardized criteria revealed that economic activities like fishing and tourism significantly influence management effectiveness. The study highlights Chetumal Bay's strong performance as a model for manatee conservation in similar regions.

Robles Herrejón, J. C., Morales‐Vela, B., Ortega‐Argueta, A., Pozo, C., & Olivera‐Gómez, L. D. (2020). Management effectiveness in marine protected areas for conservation of Antillean manatees on the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 30(6), 1182–1193. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3323