Groups dedicated to the future of sustainable hunting and fishing forge new alliance to conserve wetland habitat along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline
Representatives from Ducks Unlimited (DU), Duck Unlimited de México (DUMAC) and the Miami-based Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) recently signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to restore, conserve and protect coastal wetlands of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and wetlands across Mexico.
The agreement was signed at DU’s 87th National Convention in San Diego, California.
“This MOU establishes a cooperative partnership to collaborate on restoration, science and community-based conservation projects in Mexico,” said DUMAC Executive Director and CEO Eduardo Carrera. “We will work together to fundraise for these projects and communicate, educate and advocate about our partnership and the projects we work on together.”
The missions of the three entities are intertwined.
DU enhances, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. DUMAC conserves, protects and restores Mexico’s wetlands and associated habitats, for the benefit of migratory and resident waterfowl in North America, favoring wetland-dependent wildlife and society.
“Since our founding in 1974, DUMAC’s science-driven mission to restore and protect Mexico’s waterfowl habitat has resulted in the protection of more than 2 million acres,” said DUMAC President Jack Hole. “We are proud to work with Bone & Tarpon Trust to continue protecting wetlands habitats along Mexico’s coast.”
BTT’s mission is to conserve bonefish, tarpon and permit, their habitats and the fisheries they comprise, through science-based conservation, advocacy and education in the Bahamas, Florida and the Caribbean region.
“Each of our organizations share a commitment to the restoration and conservation of coastal wetlands, recognizing the critical habitat they provide for both waterfowl and fish,” said BTT President and CEO Jim McDuffie. “This new alliance with Ducks Unlimited and DUMAC will accelerate BTT’s work in Mexico and enhance our collective ability to achieve greater environmental impact and economic benefits for local communities and the flats fishing tourism sector.”
About Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 18 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. DU is growing its mission through a historic $3 billion Conservation For A Continent comprehensive campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
About Ducks Unlimited de México
Established in 1974, Ducks Unlimited de México (DUMAC) has restored and enhanced more than 2.1 million acres that are important for wintering waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species. DUMAC has classified 27 million acres of wetlands and uplands as part of the Wetlands Inventory Program that guides their conservation efforts. DUMAC’s RESERVA program, established in 1989, is the first internationally focused, hands-on training program for natural resources professionals in Latin America. With the help of Ducks Unlimited Inc. and several other important partners, RESERVA has trained 682 graduates from 21 Latin American countries and one from Africa.
About Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust’s mission is to conserve bonefish, tarpon and permit—the species, their habitats and the larger fisheries they comprise. BTT pursues this mission across the southeastern US, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea through science-based conservation, education and advocacy. Learn more at www.BTT.org.
