Glossary of terms
Here you will find simple and clear definitions of marine and conservation concepts that we use.
A
Artisanal fishing
Small-scale fishing practiced by local communities, usually with low environmental impact and high cultural and social value. It often relies on traditional knowledge and supports local livelihoods.
B
Biodiversity
The variety of life on the planet, ranging from small marine organisms to large species like turtles and sharks. It includes the diversity of species, genes, and ecosystems that sustain ecological balance.
Benthic / benthic species
Organisms that live on the bottom of aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, or—most relevant here—the ocean. They include invertebrates, algae, and microorganisms that play essential roles in marine ecosystems.
Blue justice
A concept that complements the blue economy by recognizing imbalances and inequalities in small-scale fishing communities. It seeks to address them through respect for human rights, equity, the elimination of discrimination, and the promotion of equal opportunities.
Blue economy
A growth and development approach based on the ocean’s potential to provide benefits, as long as its use remains sustainable and environmentally responsible.
C
Coral
A tiny marine organism that lives in colonies and forms structures known as reefs—true “underwater cities.” Coral reefs provide habitat, protection, and food for countless marine species.
Climate change
One of the major environmental challenges of our time. It refers to any significant variation in the planet’s climate system that persists for decades or longer. It can have natural causes or result from human activities. Its most evident manifestation is global warming—the average rise in global land and ocean temperatures.
Citizen science
Voluntary work carried out by members of the general public to collect data or useful information for scientific projects, often in collaboration with professional scientists and specialized institutions.
Change agent
A person capable of acting, inspiring, and strengthening their community.
E
Ecosystem
A group of species that interact with each other and with their environment in a defined area, generating flows of matter and energy.
F
Fishing cooperative
An organization of fishers who work collectively to use marine resources in a fair and sustainable way. Cooperatives promote shared benefits, responsible practices, and stronger community resilience.
Fishery Refuge Zones (FRZs)
Marine areas designated to protect and restore fish populations and critical habitats. Driven by local communities, they promote fishery sustainability and marine conservation by providing safe spaces for species to reproduce and grow.
Fishery sustainability
Responsible management of fishery resources to ensure their long-term availability, allowing the regeneration of populations and the balance of marine ecosystems without compromising future generations.
G
Gender equality
Equal opportunities and rights for women and men in both public and private spheres. It does not mean they are the same, but that their rights, responsibilities, and opportunities should not depend on the sex they were born with.
Governance
The interactions and agreements between those who govern and those who are governed to create opportunities, solve problems, and build institutions and norms that promote positive change.
H
Human Rights
Standards that recognize and protect the dignity of all people. They establish how we should live together in society and interact with justice, respect, and fairness.
M
Mangrove
A coastal forest made up of trees that grow in saltwater. Mangroves protect shorelines from storms, prevent erosion, and serve as nurseries for fish, crustaceans, and many other species.
Marine ecosystem
A community of ocean species and environmental elements—such as fish, algae, corals, and seawater—that interact with one another. These interactions create dynamic systems essential for marine life.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Sea spaces that have special regulations designed to protect their biodiversity and allow for sustainable use. They help safeguard habitats, species, and ecological processes essential for the health of marine ecosystems.
Mesoamerican Reef System (MAR)
An extensive reef system spanning Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. It is the second-largest reef in the world and a marine ecosystem of enormous importance.
Marine reserves
Management tools promoted by environmental, fishery, or social sectors to support the recovery of fisheries.
O
Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)
Conservation measures applied in areas that are not officially protected but are managed in ways that achieve in-situ biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection. These areas also safeguard cultural and socioeconomic values of local communities.
P
Public policy
Strategies and actions implemented by governments to address social, economic, and environmental problems, improve quality of life, and promote citizen well-being.
Protected Natural Areas (PNAs)
Geographic spaces designated and managed by governments, non-governmental organizations, or private entities to conserve biodiversity and natural resources, protect ecosystems, and preserve essential ecological processes. They are fundamental for species conservation, habitat protection, and the preservation of natural and cultural landscapes.
R
Region of the Great Islands (RGI)
A zone in the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez) that includes a group of islands with exceptional ecological, biological, and cultural richness. It stands out for its importance in marine conservation and in the lives of local communities.
Responsible fishing
The sustainable use of fishery resources in harmony with the environment. It includes non-harmful capture and aquaculture practices, processing that meets sanitary standards, and responsible trade that ensures access to quality products.
S
Sustainable fishing
A way of harvesting marine resources that ensures they remain available for the future. It focuses on protecting species, maintaining healthy ecosystems, and supporting the well-being of fishing communities.
Solution
Activities implemented by fishing communities to solve problems, increase resilience to global or immediate changes, and contribute to ocean health.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
A set of 17 global goals adopted by UN member states in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda. Their purpose is to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.
V
Voluntary guidelines
Recommendations that, when implemented, acknowledge the role of small-scale fisheries, strengthen the people who practice them, and offer solutions to issues faced by fishing communities.
Value chain
A set of actions and processes within the fisheries sector that intervene in the economic cycle: pre-harvest, harvest, post-harvest, and complementary activities. Each stage adds value, understood as the amount consumers are willing to pay for a product or service.
#
2030 Agenda
An international framework that serves as a roadmap for addressing major global challenges. Multiple countries have committed to adopting it as the foundation for guiding their activities and policies toward sustainable development.
