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However, marine life and ecosystems still have quite a few ground to cover in order to have similar benefits as dry land. This is why the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (Minae) created two new categories which by a law decree will protect selected marine areas within Costa Rican waters.
The first category created by the Minaet is the “Marine Reserve” and will apply to coastal oceanic marine areas which will primarily guarantee the preservation, health and viability of its natural ecosystems. The area appointed as a Marine Reserve will also need to benefit human communities throughout the sustainable use of its natural resources. The use of the natural resources will of course need to be done under strict technical criteria as well as be of low impact to the environment.
The second category created is called the “Management Marine Area”. The Management Marine Area will be a protected region in which professionals will carry out activities that will guarantee the preservation and protection of marine biodiversity for a long term period. The Management Marine Area will also need to provide a sustainable natural resources as well as environmental services to nearby communities.
The first targeted areas to be assigned this new marine protection law will be near Costa Rica’s Coco Island in its Pacific Ocean.
