Oaxaca: The Fight to Save Laguna de Chacahua
In the tranquil Laguna de Chacahua in Oaxaca, Cirila Martinez navigates through the tangled aerial roots of the mangroves with ease. As a fisherwoman who has called this national park home for many years, she has witnessed firsthand the beauty and the challenges facing this unique ecosystem. Situated on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, this lagoon system was designated as a Ramsar site in 2008, recognizing its importance as a habitat for three species of sea turtles and a haven for migratory birds.
However, Cirila reveals that the lagoon has been in crisis for nearly two decades. The construction of infrastructure, such as a breakwater at the mouth of Cerro Hermoso near the town of El Zapotalito, has had devastating consequences. The closure of the lagoon’s mouth disrupted the natural flow of saltwater and freshwater, leading to the decline of fish populations and the disappearance of the tichinda mussels that sustained the community. The once-thriving fishing industry came to a standstill, and the mangroves began to wither.
For Cirila, whose connection to the lagoon runs deep as she learned to fish out of necessity in her youth, the deteriorating state of Laguna de Chacahua is a call to action. She has joined forces with non-governmental organizations and authorities to advocate for the restoration and protection of the mangrove ecosystem. Through her involvement with the group Mujeres de Restauración del Manglar, or Women of Mangrove Restoration, she is determined to preserve the lagoon that she considers “like my family.”
With unwavering determination, Cirila and her fellow activists are working tirelessly to reverse the damage done to Laguna de Chacahua. Their efforts are focused on raising awareness, implementing conservation measures, and engaging with local communities to ensure the long-term sustainability of this precious natural resource.
