Statement — Blue Nature Alliance Lauds New Costa Rican Marine Protections

Blue Nature Alliance Statement

The Blue Nature Alliance applauded today’s action by Costa Rican President, Carlos Alvarado Quesada to expand marine protections around the Cocos Island and Seamounts Marine Management Area by about 159,000 square kilometres (61,000 square miles), safeguarding seamounts, some of the most diverse coral reefs in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, and a wide range of vulnerable species including green and leatherback sea turtles, scalloped hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and humpback whales that need these critical habitats.

“These rich and thriving waters harbor an irreplaceable natural treasure not only for Costa Rica, but for the planet,” said Joaquín Quinto Labougle, Regional Program Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean for the Blue Nature Alliance. “With this ambitious action, Costa Rica joins the small but growing number of countries to meet the global target of protecting at least 30% of its waters in order to preserve ocean health. We congratulate President Alvarado and the people of Costa Rica, and we look forward to supporting the work ahead to maximize the benefits of these protections for people and nature.”

The Blue Nature Alliance has partnered with Friends of the Cocos Island (FAICO) and Conservation International Costa Rica, in coordination with other national and international organizations, to support expanding the Cocos Island National Park and Seamount Marine Management Area, and will provide financial support for the efforts to ensure effective implementation and management of its protected waters. 

Specifically, the announcement makes the area of protection for the Cocos Island National Park 26-times larger, and 11-times larger for the Seamounts Marine Management Area. Cocos Island National Park will be a no-take area that allows limited activities such as eco-tourism and research. Purse seine industrial fishing will be prohibited within the Seamounts Marine Management Area and limited domestic longline fishing could potentially be allowed as part of a management plan that will be developed.