Achievements of MarViva
The arduous and constant efforts made by MarViva stand as a testimony to its commitment; its important achievements have earned it the standing as a solid and innovative organisation in the protection of coastal marine resources and ecosystems in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.
Reduction in illegal fishing:
•The constant presence of MarViva boats in joint patrol operations with government authorities in National Parks and Marine Protected Areas has resulted in a reduction in the number of illegal fishing vessels and fishing gear in its waters.
Guilty verdicts and administrative sanctions:
•Pending legal proceedings have been accelerated in Costa Rica and guilty verdicts have been reached for the crime of piracy against marine resources in the Cocos Island National Park, setting important legal precedents.
•Control and surveillance activities have enabled the capture of a tuna fishing boat that has been forced to pay a penalty of 668,000 US dollars by way of compensation for environmental damage caused by fishing activities within confines of the Cocos Island National Park.
•Administrative sanctions have been levied in Panama and several criminal proceedings are under way for illegal activities in the Coiba Island National Park and its Special Marine Protection zone.
Contribution towards the improvement and acceleration of legal and administrative proceedings:
•The training workshops offered by MarViva in Panama and Costa Rica to park guards, coastguards, prosecutors and barristers have led to the improvement and expediency in administrative and legal actions, as well in the professional level of the contents of reports on illegal fishing activities.
Policies and legislation designed to protect marine resources:
•The extensive and intense parliamentary and lobbying activity carried out by MarViva proved decisive in the approval in 2005 of the new law on fishing and aquaculture in Costa Rica.
•MarViva played a fundamental role in the approval of Law 44 that granted Coiba Island the category of National Park and Law 9 which banned shark finning in Panama.
•The longstanding joint effort with the Malpelo Foundation played a determining role in the signing of the ruling banning shark finning in Colombia.
•MarViva effectively promoted the creation of two of strictly marine management categories in Costa Rica, a stronger disciplinary framework for illegal fishing in the region and the establishment in Panama of the Marine Protected Area of Isla Montuosa.
•In Panama, MarViva?s contribution has been vital in the drafting of the new Law on Coastal Marine Resources and Aquaculture.
•MarViva assisted in the drafting of the Plan of Action for Patrol Boats in Marine Protected Areas for the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Public Safety.
•The attainment of the rank of law of the Coiba National Park Declaration was promoted by MarViva.
Development of Local Communities:
•The various activities organised by MarViva in the coastal communities promote the development of solid relations with Panamanian and Costa Rican fishermen, in a joint effort to attain a more sustainable use of marine resources and the identification of alternative income sources.
•The work carried out in the Panamanian community of Malena has led to a successful conservation project of four species of sea turtle, involving children, women, men and local authorities in the protection of this important nesting areas.
Synergies producing results:
•MarViva?s activity in the region has promoted the creation of cooperation agreements with the governments of Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia, as well as with international bodies and institutions which have resulted in a significant extension in the region of patrol operation, training, awareness and education.
Raising of social awareness:
•Awareness events and campaigns, the impact on the media and the documentaries produced by MarViva have proven to be invaluable tools for increasing the social participation and rise awareness of the importance of protection the region?s coastal marine resources, especially in Costa Rica, where these activities have clearly led to great appreciation of their marine assets by the citizens. •Between 2007 and 2008, over 120,000 people from Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia supported MarViva?s efforts by signing a petition to get the authorities of each country to take specific action against harmful practices such as shark finning.
