SAC-TUN PRESENTS RESULTS OF THE FIRST 3 YEARS OF ITS ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY IN THE MESOAMERICAN REEF

SAC-TUN released its 2022 Annual Sustainability Report, highlighting the results of the first phase of its 2019-2022 Environmental Strategy. 

This Strategy is focused on conserving federal, state, and municipal protected natural areas in the Mesoamerican Reef (the second largest barrier reef on the planet), working closely with local communities. 

To date, the company has invested more than US$1.5 million dollars, strengthening and expanding the work of a group of prestigious civil society organizations, scientific institutions, and universities, as well as the environmental authorities of Quintana Roo, including Amigos de Sian Ka’an, Comunidad y Biodiversidad, Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan, the Autonomous University of Queretaro, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur-Chetumal, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (SEMA) of Quintana Roo, and its Institute of Biodiversity and Natural Protected Areas of the State of Quintana Roo (IBANQROO).

The positive impact of these efforts goes beyond Mexico since this Strategy generates scientific information that contributes to the management and conservation of migratory species, most of which are threatened or endangered, such as reptiles (sea turtles), mammals (manatees and jaguars), fish (groupers and whale sharks) and crustaceans of commercial importance (lobsters) as well as priority ecosystems such as coral reefs and water sources in Quintana Roo and the Yucatan Peninsula.

All these activities are carried out in close collaboration with local communities, who work hand in hand with SAC-TUN to care for natural resources for the benefit of all.

The Strategy contributes to the management plans of 4 Mexican Biosphere Reserves, 12 fisheries refuges and six state/municipal protected areas.  

As part of the efforts underway, 27,284 turtle nests have been protected, and 2 million hatchlings of 3 of the seven species of sea turtles that exist on the planet and are in danger of extinction have been released; six jaguars and seven manatees have been tagged with satellite radio transmitters; 59 sea turtles and 726 lobsters have also been tagged; and 21 felines and 67 manatees have been photo-identified. In these first three years, we have contributed to the knowledge of the ecology and biology of these species of regional, national, and global importance. The second three-year phase of the long-term Environmental Strategy began in 2023.

Karla González Alvarado, Sustainability Manager, noted that:

“throughout these three years, we have dedicated more than 5 thousand hours of fieldwork to developing these projects, and we are proud of the progress we have made working hand in hand with our allies. This work is part of our environmental policy and corporate commitment, which guide us to ensure the responsible use of natural resources, biodiversity conservation, local communities’ wellbeing, and compliance with strict environmental standards“. 

For SAC-TUN, social responsibility is a priority. With this report, the company reaffirms its commitment to continue investing in the social and economic development of Quintana Roo. The investments made by the company will last and will continue to generate well-being for the communities of Quintana Roo.

SAC-TUN’s 2022 Sustainability Report is available here.