Coastal strip of Paraíso, Tabasco

Sustainable development

From 2019 to date

The program for the sustainable development of the coastal strip of the municipality of Paraíso, Tabasco, aims to strengthen local productive capacities and promote values for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of the natural heritage of this region, particularly the Mecoacán lagoon. The program has three lines of action: productive improvement processes in the management of oysters in the area; management of backyard gardens; and promotion of an environmental culture.

Tabasco is one of the states with the largest oyster production in the Gulf of Mexico. Historically, oyster harvesting has been carried out through the direct exploitation of natural banks that have been overexploited, degrading the ecosystem of the Mecoacán lagoon and directly affecting the economy of fishermen and people who depend on its production. To reverse this situation, we trained the members of six oyster cooperatives in the management of different techniques for the production of suspended oysters in intensive farms within the lagoon and to give them a market value with respect to the harvesting of natural banks, both for their economic and environmental benefits.

In particular, we have tested at a pilot level the technique of oyster production in floating baskets in the Mecoacán lagoon with very good results, because it produces a better-quality oyster that can be marketed by the piece. In addition, we have included the purification process to have a better product and open new marketing channels. In addition, we are recovering natural oyster banks in areas agreed with the producers.

On the other hand, we are promoting the potential of the family plot as a key element in the strategy to conserve the regional native biodiversity and support the family economy with the production of healthy food of high nutritional value in the backyard. We have developed a specific manual for the management of gardens in the Paraíso area and have held agroindustry workshops for the production and packaging of by-products and the commercialization of surpluses in a supportive manner.

We develop non-formal and informal environmental education processes on the natural environment of the coastal system of the municipality of Paraíso to strengthen values of identity, cultural roots and therefore the defense of the natural and cultural heritage. This line of work involves families through extracurricular workshops, social activation, drawing contests, fairs, and community events.