Iniciativas comunitarias ambientales para la protección y conservación de los ecosistemas marino - costeros en la zona exclusiva de pesca artesanal - ZEPA pacífico colombiano

Abstract

This paper aims to present one of the most relevant community governance processes in the country. Its main objective is to identify and analyze community-based environmental initiatives developed in the Exclusive Artisanal Fishing Zone (ZEPA) of the Colombian Pacific, with special emphasis on their role in the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems. Using a qualitative approach and a descriptive study design, secondary data are collected and analyzed. The paper addresses the evolution of the community process from its initial formation to the consolidation of participatory environmental governance mechanisms, highlighting the leadership of Afro-descendant community councils, NGOs, and public entities. The analysis highlights the importance of institutional coordination, territorial appropriation by local communities, and capacity building to ensure the environmental and economic sustainability of ZEPA. Initiatives range from mangrove restoration, participatory fisheries monitoring, environmental education, and the development of consensual management agreements. This study represents a significant contribution to the recognition of the autonomy of coastal communities and their potential to lead conservation processes based on traditional knowledge, cooperative networks, and regulatory compliance. It is hoped that this document will be of value to the educational and scientific communities, entities, organizations, and the public interested in community governance processes and the different dynamics for addressing territorial planning for community sustainability, the sustainable use of resources, and ecosystem conservation.