Costa Rica’s Ocean Protection initiatives lead by example

Costa Rica’s Ocean Protection initiatives lead by example Posted by Alonso Aguilar | Copywriter

Considered as one of the richest marine areas in the whole world, the Central American nation has recently expanded its efforts towards ocean conservation.

Despite all the documentaries, ad campaigns and tours that focus on the rich biodiversity and stunning natural wonders that flock Costa Rica’s land, most of the country’s highlights are actually within its vast sea area . At nearly 600 thousand square kilometers of ocean surface and only 51 thousand square kilometers of land surface, this Central American oasis is 92% more water than anything else .

As with the rest of the country’s ecosystems, there’s been an important commitment to safekeeping its maritime territory . Perhaps the most notable example is Isla del Coco National Park, a protected area that has been praised by scientists as one of the world’s most exciting natural laboratories, and an essential habitat for marine life worldwide .

In December of 2021, the Costa Rican government announced the expansion of Isla del Coco National park from around 2 thousand square kilometers to 55 thousand . The idea behind this was to have a wider protected area so it’s easier to study and safeguard all the fragile ecosystems and battle global warming .

This happened just a couple of months after United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26), where Costa Rica joined Ecuador, Panamá and Colombia in announcing the strengthening of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) with the intention of establishing a Transboundary Biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s watch .

These efforts are implemented as part of the country’s Blue Smart Strategy, where the idea is to create synergies and collaborations between Latin American and Caribbean nations for more effective environmentally positive actions .

Earlier in 2022, Costa Rica began implementing ocean diplomacy by organizing the High Seas Dialogues alongside Belgium and Monaco with the goal of positioning issues of marine conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources . As a member of the Council of the International Seabed Authority, the country also pushes forward demands for transparency in decision-making processes so environmental impact is taken into account .

As a world leader in Ocean conservation discussions, Costa Rica seeks to establish international treaties that monitor marine protected areas and restrict pollution and non-sustainable activities that damage the high seas . So far, the country is guiding by example, and waits for other nations to join them in the active and collaborative fight against environmental disaster .