Chamela Fishermen's Cooperative The First Community Fishery Refuge in Jalisco is Born
On the coast of Jalisco, where the sea has been the livelihood of entire communities for generations, something truly extraordinary is happening. The Chamela Fishermen's Cooperative, together with the Sierra A Mar initiative and proactive inter-institutional support, has taken an unprecedented step: the creation of the first community fishery refuge in the state of Jalisco. This new Chamela Fishing Refuge, officially launched on August 15, 2025, represents much more than an environmental milestone. It is a clear sign that when the community organizes, listens to its elders, and surrounds itself with strategic allies, it is possible to restore marine life, secure tomorrow's fisheries, and build a replicable model of conservation from the bottom up.
The refuge did not come out of nowhere. It is the result of years of collaborative work between fishermen, scientists, authorities, and civil organizations. It is based on the traditional knowledge of those who have lived off the sea all their lives, combined with the technical and legal support of institutions such as SADER Jalisco, UNAM, and IMIPAS, among others. As Manuel Sánchez, president of the Cooperative, put it:
“We are excited to know that if we take care of the sea, we will have fish to catch. The product in the area was already very depleted, and it was urgent to do something to make our future more encouraging.”
What is a Community Fishery Refuge?
It is a designated area in the sea where fishing is restricted to allow key species to recover and marine habitats to regenerate. In the case of Chamela, this includes areas around the islands of San Antonio and San Pancho, protected by an agreement backed by all the cooperatives in Chamela Bay.
In addition, artificial reefs have already been installed, structures that provide shelter and breeding grounds for species such as octopus and lobster, which are essential to the local economy. The project has attracted attention beyond Mexico's borders. Renowned actor and activist Richard Gere, who has supported the initiative, said:
“Talking is easy. Acting, as we know, is difficult. I want to congratulate the Chamela community for setting an example in the important efforts to restore marine life off the coast of Jalisco. Talking is easy. Acting is difficult. The people of Chamela show us that community-led conservation is a successful model for the future. I invite local actors, philanthropists, and foundations to join these efforts. Achieving the results we seek will require more than one village. Jalisco, Mexico, is in a unique position to lead conservation strategies that meet not only regional goals, but also the global 30x30 vision.”
These kinds of statements not only raise awareness of the project, but also invite other actors—from philanthropists to institutions—to join in and replicate the model in other parts of the country and the world. The initiative is also generating new opportunities for dialogue and collaboration between the fishing community and the tourism sector. Ari Nieto Vélez, a local resident and developer, highlighted:
“We deeply appreciate the commitment of the Chamela fishing cooperative in creating the new fishing refuge. Their efforts to protect the marine ecosystem not only strengthen the sustainability of our coastline, but also open up new opportunities for collaboration between the local community and tourism projects in the region. Despite the challenges of the past, we are confident that the future will find us working together—with respect, dialogue, and a shared vision.”
The creation of the Chamela Community Fishing Refuge is a tangible example of how marine conservation does not have to be in the hands of large corporations or remote decisions. It can and should be born in the community, with the support of those who believe in a future where the ocean remains alive for generations to come. As Stefanie Brendl, executive director of Sierra A Mar, rightly said:
“Marine conservation is often overlooked in sustainable development plans. But the health of our planet, our food security, and our quality of life depend on the ocean. It has been a deeply positive experience to work with the Chamela cooperative and all the entities that have supported this process over the past two years. What is happening here is truly inspiring and demonstrates that unity in action can generate surprising results.”
Key Advances of the Chamela Fishing Refuge
Community agreement to monitor and protect the waters surrounding the islands of San Antonio and San Pancho, within the proposed fishing refuge area. This agreement has the backing of all the cooperatives in Chamela Bay and the Regional Federation of Cooperative Societies of the Fishing, Aquaculture, and Tourism Industry of Bahías de Jalisco S.C. de R.L. de C.V.
Community agreement to monitor and protect the waters surrounding the islands of San Antonio and San Pancho, within the proposed fishing refuge area. This agreement has the support of all the cooperatives in Chamela Bay and the Regional Federation of Cooperative Societies of the Fishing, Aquaculture, and Tourism Industry of Bahías de Jalisco S.C. de R.L. de C.V.
Installation of the first artificial reef structures to provide protection and breeding space for key species such as octopus and lobster. This project was supported by SADER Jalisco and developed in collaboration with IMIPAS, UNAM, and Sierra A Mar.
Commencement and progress of the Technical Justification Study, a legal requirement for officially establishing the fishing refuge zone, with the support of SADER Jalisco.
This historic step for the Costalegre region confirms the power of local and inter-institutional action to promote a more sustainable future and sends an inspiring message to marine conservation efforts around the world. For more information on fishery refuges visit this link.
