Control of Lionfish in the Mesoamerican Reef

As promised, we find ourselves back at the southernmost edge of Quintana Roo, where Mexico meets the vast blue of the Caribbean and Xcalak Reefs National Park unfolds as a landscape shaped by water, coral, mangroves, and the quiet rhythms of coastal life.

Along these shores, the women of Xcal’arte continue to weave a different kind of story. What began as a response to the ecological challenge posed by the invasive lionfish has grown into an initiative that brings together creativity, entrepreneurship, and marine conservation. Through their jewelry products, the women of Xcal’arte transform this deadly species into objects that carry a deeper message— what threatens the reef can, with imagination and collective action, become an opportunity to create.

This new phase resulted in important advances in entrepreneurship, business development, intellectual property, conservation impact, and regional networking.

One of the central achievements was the advance in the process of registering the brand, an important step toward recognizing the identity and intellectual property that the women have built through their work. At the same time, the group began a more detailed analysis of the legal structure that would be most appropriate for the enterprise. This process took into consideration the different fiscal implications associated with each option. Now Xcal’arte is established in the Simplified Trust Regime representing an important step toward Xcal’arte’s consolidation as a formally structured enterprise and protecting the value generated by the women themselves.

Another important area of progress of this support was the establishment of a strong collaboration with the Secretariat of Economic Development (SEDE in Spanish) of Quintana Roo which opened several opportunities for Xcal’arte to strengthen its entrepreneurial skills and business vision. As part of this collaboration, the women participated in three complementary activities:

• A series of workshops and training sessions focused on strengthening entrepreneurship, financial literacy, fiscal matters, and emotional well-being.
• A one-day business incubation process led by SEDE, which offered an opportunity to examine the initiative from a more structured entrepreneurial perspective.
• A three-day acceleration camp led by SEDE, where the participants worked intensively on tools such as the Business Model Canvas, marketing, and other elements of business strategy. As part of this process, Xcal’arte also received MXN $10,000 in seed capital, providing concrete resources to help move ideas from planning into action.

The Xcal’arte women group also participated in a three-day consultancy process focused on identifying and strengthening the initiative’s positive contributions to the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR). Rather than undertaking this process in isolation, Xcal’arte joined approximately 20 women entrepreneurs representing seven other initiatives in Quintana Roo. This collective process created a space for exchange, reflection, and collaboration. Participants shared experiences, identified common challenges, and developed ideas for making the environmental and social value of their enterprises more visible.

To connect Xcal’arte to a regional community of women entrepreneurs they also participated in a Regional Exchange of Experiences with women entrepreneurs from the four countries of the MAR.The exchange brought together women working across a remarkable diversity of activities and livelihoods, including fisheries value chains, community-based tourism, traditional cuisine, upcycling, and other sustainable enterprises. For Xcal’arte, this was an opportunity to look beyond the boundaries of Xcalak and connect its experience with other women who are navigating similar challenges and opportunities throughout the region.

The achievements of this support represent important building blocks for the continued consolidation of Xcal’arte. They now have new entrepreneurial tools, greater exposure to business development processes, access to seed capital, brand registration, and a clearer understanding of the legal considerations involved in formalizing their enterprise. At the same time, their participation in regional learning spaces has expanded their network and connected them with a broader community of women working for sustainable development throughout the MAR.

From the shores of Xcalak, this story continues to grow, a story of women transforming challenges into opportunities, connecting livelihoods with conservation, and demonstrating that caring for the sea can also mean creating new possibilities for those whose lives are intertwined with it.

Their jewelry is not simply handmade; it carries the memory of the sea from which its materials come and the creativity of the women who transform them. Each piece can become a small reminder that conservation can take many forms.

Thanks to your support, the Xcal’arte women group moves forward, carrying with them new tools, new connections, and a clearer vision. We are grateful to have accompanied the women of Xcal’arte through this stage of their journey and look forward to continuing supporting and sharing their story of creativity and empowerment.

Thank you

The MAR Fund Team