Saving Our Sharks and the Kab Xok Cooperative at the “Conversaciones a nivel del mar” Forum
- Cris Lopez
Saving Our Sharks and the Kab Xok Cooperative Present Their Model of Transition from Fishing to Conservation
As part of the Forum “Conversaciones a nivel del mar” Forum, organized by Raíces Firmes, a nonprofit organization based in Yucatán, the Saving Our Sharks Foundation and the Kab Xok Cooperative were invited to share their experiences during a panel focused on marine conservation and sustainable development.
Raíces Firmes Forum was a resounding success. Held at Restaurante Chamana in Hotel Pachamaya Cancún, it featured a three-day series of public talks led by experts from diverse fields. The forum’s goal was to make. knowledge accessible, engaging, and digestible for non-specialist audiences. Each day centered on a different sustainability-related theme, with a strong focus on local perspectives. This platform proved instrumental in highlighting projects that are making a positive impact on coastal communities and marine ecosystems throughout the state.
From Fishing to Conservation: A Necessary Transition
During the presentation, Pepe Funes, President of the Saving Our Sharks Foundation, and Raziel Rivero, representative of the Kab Xok Cooperative, shared the successes of a pivotal transition—from extractive fishing practices to active shark conservation. This approach not only aims to protect biodiversity but also to provide sustainable livelihood alternatives for communities that depend on the sea.
The Kab Xok Cooperative, composed of fishers from Isla Mujeres, shared how, with the support of Saving Our Sharks, they have shifted their activities toward species monitoring, sustainable low-impact tourism, and environmental education. This model not only contributes to ecological balance but also strengthens the social and economic fabric of local communities.
For its part, the Saving Our Sharks Foundation emphasized the importance of building alliances with local stakeholders and promoting citizen science as a foundation for informed and equitable decision-making—for both ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
A Clear Message: Conservation Also Means Caring for People
The participation of both organizations in the Raíces Firmes forum sent a powerful message: marine conservation cannot be separated from human well-being. Protecting sharks and other marine species also means safeguarding the future of communities that have historically lived from the sea.
The Raíces Firmes Forum served as a reminder that the most lasting solutions arise when traditional knowledge, science, and community engagement come together. Saving Our Sharks and the Kab Xok Cooperative are proof that a paradigm shift is possible when work is guided by vision, respect, and collaboration.
