Historical reconstruction of Fishing Refuge Zones in Mexico: An innovative marine conservation and sustainable fisheries co-management tool

Community-based marine reserves have emerged as a tool to integrate communities into managing their own resources. In Mexico, Fishing Refuge Zones (FRZs) are no-take areas based on horizontal collaboration to restore and conserve populations of commercially valuable species. This study aims to reconstruct the creation of FRZ as a community-based fisheries management tool and to understand the perception of key stakeholders. We conducted semi-structured interviews with representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), government institutions, and fishers actively involved in defining, developing, and standardizing the FRZ. The establishment of the first FRZ resulted from fishers' interest in resource management, the involvement of CSOs serving as community advisors and intermediaries, and the definition of FRZ in the Fisheries Law; nevertheless, unofficial processes, such a lobbying, played an important role at the beginning of the procedure. We highlight that collaboration and coordination between government agencies are crucial to avoid tensions and to join fishing and conservation efforts; furthermore, increased enforcement and inspection are necessary to enhance the continuity of FRZs. To maintain trust and effectiveness in the instrument, it is advisable to use it responsibly, ensuring it fulfills its intended purposes and meets viability criteria, particularly fishers' participation and acceptance levels.