Community Council Newsletter Vol. 1.

INTRODUCTION April 2019

Marine Protected Area

C A N A L L U I S P E Ñ A N AT U R A L R E S E R V E
C U L E B R A I S L A N D, P U E R TO R I C O

20th
ANNIVERSARY
The first no-take natural
reserve designated in the
waters of Puerto Rico that
was conceived and proposed
by the community and
members of the Fishermen
Association of Culebra to Community Collaborative
Management and
protect all species within its
Public Participation
boundaries.
A local Community Council was created to help
The natural reserve was
document and resolve issues affecting Culebra’s Marine
designated in 1999 to protect Protected Area (MPA). In collaboration with the
corals and all marine species, Department of Natural and Environmental Resources
(DNER), the council introduces new policies as needed,
replenish fish stocks and to better manage reserve resources as part of the
create local jobs. ongoing implementation of this reserve’s adaptive
collaborative management plan.

This reserve is loved and

protected by the Culebrense If you have a concern, question or just would like more
information about how you can contribute, please
community contact Lourdes Feliciano, at Culebra Marine Center or

email: culebra.reserva.natural@gmail.com
Community Council Newsletter Vol. 1. INTRODUCTION April 2019

Reef Guardians: Local jobs have been facilitated for young

adults on the most frequented beaches of the reserve by
recording data about recreational activities and commercial
activities, overall numbers of visitors by recreational activity
CORAL
throughout the day. Reef Guardians educate visitors to adopt RESTORATION
safe snorkeling practices, reduce accidents, and impacts to
endangered corals and sea turtles. The Guardians educate
and perform interventions to prevent illegal fishing, poaching,
other violations, and unsustainable behaviors. Guardians help
to keep the beaches of the reserve clean, manage recycle
bins, collaborate and support sediment control and
reforestation efforts. This project is administered by
CORALations.org

Signs, Logos and Promotion: In an effort to conserve their

wilderness character, a policy has been proposed to prohibit
the posting of commercial signs at the beaches of the reserve.
To maximize the receptiveness and effectiveness of
educational signage placed at these beaches, signs are
required to be developed following a public, participatory One of the founding
method through the community council. Organizations management priorities of this
producing educational materials about the reserve are reserve is to support and
encouraged to consult the Community Council in order to facilitate ongoing coral reef
ensure consistency of the educational message and to
restoration efforts.

optimize outreach effort.

Animal Setbacks: A 100m setback from the high tide Culebra’s Marine Protected
waterline has been established from the beaches of this Area (MPA) enjoys the first
reserve for cat feeding stations and tied horses, to protect the successful community coral
health and safety of visitors as well as to conserve the farming and transplanting
wilderness character of the reserve’s beaches. The project in the Eastern
Community Council is grateful for the assistance provided by Caribbean.

the Friends of Culebra Animals (FCA) in sterilizing and

relocating stray cat populations away from these reserve This restoration project, is
beaches.

now in its 16th year, thanks

Research and Restoration: DNER permits are required for to the leadership provided by
all research and restoration work to be developed within the this projects Principal
Canal Luis Peña Natural Reserve coral reefs (Regulation 8809 Investigator, Dr. Edwin A.
of 2016). The Community Council facilitate communication Hernández-Delgado, and the
between DNER, scientists and the community about research dedicated divers from the
and restoration efforts done within the natural reserve, as well Sociedad Ambiente Marino
as to integrate local knowledge. Furthermore, visiting (SAM) and University of
scientists are encouraged to contribute to local education and Puerto Rico.

outreach and to contract local workers (ex. boat captains) in SAMPR.org

research and conservation efforts within the natural reserve.