In Costa Rica, government co-operation has thus far proved more elusive.
The Panamanian government is supportive of marine conservation, and has protected over half of its seas. The Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) – the trans-boundary reserve of which Panama is part – will be a focus area for Blue Marine, supporting initiatives to improve enforcement and monitor ecological recovery.
Next steps will be to connect and designate 500 miles of new MPAs along the Caribbean coast of the two nations. We then aim to have a new IMMA (Important Marine Mammal Area) designated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and start promoting the bi-national corridor internationally.
On this initiative Blue Marine is collaborating with the Smithsonian Institute and Panama’s Ministry of Environment. We have assessed manatee numbers in both Panama and Costa Rica, and secured the designation of a new protected area at Changuinola in Panama, home to the country’s largest population of the ‘sea cows’.
This island cluster of the Dutch Caribbean hosts a huge variety of species, many of them unique. Local governments and conservation groups have made major marine protection commitments — and Blue Marine is supporting their delivery.
The fishing and tourism industries of the Caribbean nation depend on the good health of its rich coral reef and seagrass. Blue Marine is working with local partners to tackle the degradation that threatens them both.
Blue Marine’s support in St Vincent and Grenadines has led to a closed season on fishing for the sea snails, and a proposal for nursery rest areas to protect juvenile populations.
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