Shrimp farms in Guatemala are valuable refuges for migratory shorebirds.
MSP+ Science to action 2024-2025.
Along the shorebird flyway, the expansion of shrimp farming poses a significant threat to their habitats. However, when best practices are implemented, these productive landscapes can be transformed into valuable alternative refuges for migratory birds.
Inspired by this duality, Varinia Sagastume part of the Coastal Solutions Fellows Program (CSF) developed the Conservation Plan for Shorebirds in Shrimp Farms in Guatemala.
This plan proposes concrete strategies to improve habitat quality and availability, while also promoting collaboration among key sectors.
MSP+ makes a difference by enabling cross-sector collaboration
The project led by Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza and funded by the MSP+ Science to Action program continues the initiative to promote cross-sector collaboration with the shrimp farming industry and to strengthen capacities, raising awareness about their potential role in conservation.
Inspiring results: A collaborative impact model
Among the most notable achievements:
- An adult education training toolkit that includes four educational videos companies can use autonomously.
- Field visits and coordination of training sessions in collaboration with stakeholders from the productive sector.
- Production of audiovisual content for a communication campaign targeting both the industry and the general public.
- A strategic alliance with the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) to promote a space for technical dialogue and interinstitutional collaboration aimed at the conservation and sustainable management of shorebirds.
One of the main achievements has been the strengthening of interinstitutional partnerships through the co-creation of educational materials, a process that has enhanced legitimacy and acceptance within the sector and fostered cross-sector collaboration.
What’s next: opportunities to replicate the impact
The next major step is to replicate this model across more production systems at the national and regional levels, and to establish a permanent advisory group that will contribute to effective coastal governance for the protection of shorebirds in the country.
To learn more about this project
Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza
Varinia Sagastume: kvs54@cornell.edu / vary.sagas@gmail.com
Andrea Moreno: amoreno@defensores.org.gt