Panama Boosts Protection of Its Largest Marine Protected Area

At WildAid, we are very pleased to support Panama in its efforts to protect its natural resources, which are essential for the entire Eastern Tropical Pacific. Expanding law enforcement capacity in Coiba National Park will ensure that the Government of Panama can carry out water protection, in line with its ambitious conservation goals, stated Wilcox. Panama's Ministry of the Environment (MiAMBIENTE) has received a significant boost in its efforts to protect the country's largest Marine Protected Area (MPA), thanks to a substantial donation of surveillance equipment from WildAid and the Blue Nature Alliance (BNA). The acquisition of equipment will provide strategic support to Panama's 2021 decision to protect at least 30% of its waters and the 2023 expansion of Banco Volcán, which increased marine protection to over 50% of its territory. These milestones positioned Panama as a regional leader in ocean conservation and encouraged neighboring countries to strengthen their own protection measures, promoting ecological connectivity through the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) and in the Caribbean through the Seaflower Initiative. Coiba is not only a natural treasure for Panama but also a world heritage site. With over 270,000 hectares of protected territory, Coiba National Park is not only Panama's largest MPA but also one of the most important in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. However, these resources are threatened by illegal fishing, overexploitation, and ocean pollution, making it urgent to strengthen monitoring, control, and surveillance of the protected area. Its biodiversity, pristine ecosystems, and role in ocean health make it a priority conservation area. The alliance between MiAMBIENTE, WildAid, and the Blue Nature Alliance reaffirms the common commitment to protect marine biodiversity, improve ocean governance, and ensure that future generations can enjoy the country's natural resources. The new equipment, including night-vision tools and essential safety gear, will enhance the patrol teams' ability to monitor the waters, strengthen communication, and improve the safety of those protecting some of the world's most important marine species. Thanks to international cooperation, we are moving towards a more modern and efficient conservation model, committed to protecting our marine resources and ensuring that future generations can continue to admire this unique legacy, clarified Navarro. This donation of essential equipment is part of the project 'Support for the development of procedures and acquisition of surveillance equipment necessary to launch Panama's monitoring system to supervise, preserve, and protect the national marine and coastal ecosystem.' The project aims to strengthen surveillance, monitoring, and response capabilities to illegal activities in the country's priority marine zones, including Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For Minister Juan Carlos Navarro, this donation is a decisive step to strengthen the presence and operational capacity in Coiba National Park, a site of exceptional value. Its natural wealth is exceptional: it is home to more than 760 species of fish, as well as sharks, rays, dolphins, and unique coral ecosystems, making it one of the planet's most biodiverse marine refuges. The official equipment handover was attended by the Minister of MiAMBIENTE, Juan Carlos Navarro, along with representatives from WildAid. The Blue Nature Alliance also highlighted the strategic value of this international cooperation to strengthen the management of Panama's marine territories. Chris Wilcox, Senior Director of WildAid's Marine Program, emphasized the importance of improving the capacity to respond to environmental threats.