Integrated management perspectives of the Bahı́a de Caráquez zone and Chone River estuary, Ecuador

This work is based on the experience developed by the Coastal Resources Management Project (CRMP) established in Ecuador eleven years ago. This project was proposed for the Coastal Resources Center (CRC) of The University of Rhode Island (URI-USA). In order to carry out the project, five Special Management Zones (SMZ) were established along the Ecuadorian coastal shoreline, where the SMZ of Bahia de Caráquez is one of the most important and is the theme of this study. The physical environment of Bahı́a de Caráquez embraces the estuary, the beaches, La Segua wetland and the land. This report describes the natural ecosystems including the forests, mangroves, flora and fauna. Next, the infrastructure of he towns is described as well as the main economic activities of the SMZ, including agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and tourism. Finally, the role of the CRMP in the SMZ and the future plans of action are described.