128Canopy Blog

The Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast is considered one of the country’s most cherished parks of its National Park System due to the variety of its flora and fauna as well as wildlife.

Located in the Osa Peninsula, the Corcovado National Park was called “the most biologically intense place on Earth” by the National Geographic Society.  Unfortunately, the constant expansion of civilization as well as the uncontrolled illegal hunting in the region has directly affected the Corcovado wildlife.

The National University conducted a study in the region in order to learn about the Jaguar population as well as other endangered species as well.  The Costa Rican Jaguar is considered a symbol of the vast wildlife has to offer and is even displayed on the largest currency denomination bill of ten thousand colones.

In 1996, the Jaguar population in Corcovado was an approximate 75 to 120 individuals.  The unregulated hunting of the wild boar by locals has left the Jaguar population without its main food source.  The latest study revealed that the current Jaguar population in Corcovado is down to around 40 to 50.  Experts revealed that if the situation was not addressed by authorities, the Costa Rican Jaguar will disappear in less than 10 years.

Other feline species such as the ocelot and manigordo along with the Jaguar are seriously threatened due to their small population and reduced hunting and reproductive habitats.  Biologists have called upon Costa Rican authorities to reinforce legislations to address the issue and reverse the threat.

Tiuna Ship Fined for Illegal Fishing in Coco Island’s Waters

It took the Environmental Tribunal over 2 months to finally reach a verdict regarding the dispute between the captain of the Tiuna ship and the Costa Rican government.  The large tuna ship was spotted earlier this year fishing in the protected waters of Costa Rica’s Coco Island in the Pacific Ocean.

The ship’s captain and owners were fined with $668,000 for damages caused to the environment while fishing for tuna in government protected waters.  The Coco Island’s park rangers detected the ship within the 12 nautical mile protected zone which surrounds the island while the ship’s captain states they were located at 13 miles from the island.

The Costa Rican National Coast Guard found over 280 tons of tuna in the ship’s storage compartment.  The Coco Island was named a National Patrimony and is also a candidate for the New 7 Nature Wonders of the World.  The rich marine life in the Coco Island is a diver’s haven.  One of the largest population of hammerhead sharks are found in these protected waters.

The Environmental Tribunal also requested the Costa Rican Institute of Fishing and Aquaculture (Incopesca) to revoke the Tiuna’s fishing license as well as pay the $668,000 fine.  Authorities have stated that part of the funds will be granted to the National Cost Guard Service while the remaining amount will be given to the National Park Foundation to be invested exclusively in the protection of the Coco Island.

On the other hand, the Panamanian flag ship’s lawyers will appeal the ruling stating that the tribunal only had 2 months to announce the verdict and that they took 2 months and 17 days to do so.

Costa Rica has dedicated a considerable amount of time, human resource and territory to protect its unique biodiversity.  Currently, around 25% of Costa Rica’s territory is under a certain protection plan or law.

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.