Posted on diciembre, 23 2017

Thanks to the work of organizations like WWF-Colombia and Parques Nacionales Naturales, among others, Colombia took a transcendental step forward this year in the conservation of marine ecosystems. Not only did Colombia meet the goal of protecting at least 10% of the country’s coastal-marine ecosystems, as established in the Convention on Biodiversity Convention (CDB Aichi Target), but surpassed this minimum value and now has 14% of the national coastal-marine territory under protection.
 
A series of new designations made this possible. This started with Codechocó’s declaration of the Regional Integrated Management District (DRMI) Bajo Baudó Encanto de los Manglares that protects 311,556 hectares of beaches, mangroves, and corals, among other unique ecosystems for the country. This is an area that forms part of the routes of migratory species like the humpback whale and hosts nesting sites for marine turtles like the Hawksbill and Olive Ridley.
 
In September, the Fauna and Flora Sanctuary of Malpelo –one of the few places on the planet where one can see schools of 300 to 1,000 hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini)–, increased in size from 950,000 to 2,667,000 hectares, where the diversity found at mid-ocean ridges is well protected. The Malpelo Santuary links to the newly created National Integrated Management District (DNMI) of Yuruparí-Malpelo, which now has 2,691,000 hectares. This conservation figure allows national authorities, the Colombian fishing industry, and local communities to work together to ensure the economic value of fisheries while respecting sustainability principles.


Malpelo © Cristian Laverde / Flickr
 
Lastly, the National Integrated Management National District (DNMI) of Cabo Manglares, Bajo Mira y Frontera in the department of Nariño was declared in November. This multiple use area covers 190,282 hectares connected to areas in the Colombian Pacific that form part of the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP), as well as those in the neighboring country of Ecuador. This measure protects mangroves and surrounding fishing areas and beaches where marine turtles nest, and promotes community management of these critical ecosystems for local livelihoods.


Cabo Manglares, Bajo Mira y Frontera © Cristhian García / Parques Nacionales Naturales

Continue reading about the achievements and progress we made during 2017 here.

--------
 
¡Únete como donante a WWF!​
 
Sabemos que te preocupa el medio ambiente, por eso, te invitamos a ser parte de la comunidad panda, donando desde $ 1.200 pesos diarios para proteger nuestra increíble riqueza natural: especies, bosques, océanos, agua dulce; buscar soluciones al cambio climático y asegurar nuestra alimentación. Haz clic aquí juntosesposible.wwf.org.co
 
-------

Suscríbete a nuestro boletín de noticias:
 
Recibirás información sobre nuestros proyectos y campañas