Isla del Coco To Get
Added Protection
Costa Rica's treasured
national park, the Isla
del Coco (Cocos Island),
will get a more active
role by the Ministerio
de Ambiental y Energia (Minae)
- Environment and Energy
Ministry - in its
protection.
Located some 550
kilometres off the
mainland, Costa Rica's
famous island is home to
hammerhead sharks,
stingrays, dolphins and
host of other marine
species, flowering
plants, some 74 species
of ferns, 128 species of
mosses, 90 fungi and
slime molds.
The island's natural
setting has been
threatened by illegal
fishing. Although
fishing is prohibited
inside the marine park’s
12 nautical miles, it is
a reality that leaves
thousands of metres of
fishing line speckled
with hooks coiled on its
delicate reefs.
With limited means park
officials,
conservationists and the
National Coast Guard are
doing their best to keep
fishermen out of this
marine sanctuary.
Now Minae aims to put a
stop to the illegal
fishing, teaming up with
MarViva, an
environmental
organization, to protect
the island. The Friends
of Cocos Island
Foundation has also
taken an interest in
working with the Minae
and MarViva, all three
organizations will
provide financial
support to the Coco's
Patrol.
Coco's Patrol is the
only Minae boat that has
been patrolling the
island waters, but will
soon be joined by the
Juan Santamaría.
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