In Panama and, to a lesser degree, in the Galapagos Islands, we have conducted research and Science-to-Action activities to monitor reef health, assess the status of reef fisheries, identify natural or human-driven changes in the reef ecosystem, and enhance the effectiveness of marine managed areas (MMAs) in sustaining coral reefs. Panama and Galapagos are part of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape (ETPS). We incorporate regional findings into global analyses to identify successful marine conservation practices.

SCIENCE-TO-ACTION TOOLS


La pesco en el Parque Nacional Coiba (PDF, 0.8 MB)



Parque Nacional Coiba: Investigación cientifica como apoyo a la toma de desiciones, manejo y conservación (PDF, 3.1 MB)



Parque Nacional Coiba: Relaciones con su área de influencia (PDF, 0.8 MB)



Tradiciones y costumbres: Parque Nacional Coiba y su zona de influencia (PDF, 1.2 MB)
Coiba National Park Posters (PDF, 1 MB)



Plan de manejo del Parque Nacional Coiba (PDF, 0.5 MB)



 Coiba: Tesoro de biodiversidad - Calendario 2010 (PDF, 3.3 MB)

RESEARCH

We collaborate with managers, policy makers, scientists, and stakeholders in the ETPS to identify research needs and to develop work plans that address top priorities. Scientists are investigating ecological connections among populations and habitats; economic and cultural importance of marine resources; and ecological, socioeconomic, and cultural outcomes of marine management areas.

Key findings:

  • The ecological effects of managed areas around Coiba National Park (CNP) are mixed but with some strong signs of recovery. Some species, notably commercial fishes, have benefited substantially from existing fishing regulations, but enforcement is critical to full recovery and could be greatly improved. The ecological monitoring study found that the total fish biomass of commercial and non-commercial fish species increased in Isla Coiba managed zones between 2007 and 2009. These are the largest increases recorded in the CNP. The study also found that carnivorous and herbivorous fishes rose, with no-fishing zones experiencing the largest gains. Shellfish, conch, and oyster densities rose significantly in protected areas, despite no clear pattern in density change outside protected areas. In contrast, live coral cover decreased non-significantly (approximately 15%) between 2002 and 2009 in both protected and unprotected areas.
  • The CNP provides significant livelihoods through fishing and tourism, which is particularly important given that this is a region with limited economic opportunities. The Coiba area supports 275 direct fishing jobs, which provide twice the income of non-fishing livelihoods. The area generates $1.3 million in net annual revenues from fishing and tourism. The CNP earns $234,200 in annual visitation fees.
  • The Science-to-Action governance study noted several critical limitations in the management structure of Coiba National Park: lack of fisheries sector participation, lack of general public participation in meetings, lack of a communication strategy, lack of information and documentation of the Park, and lack of coordination among institutions such as ANAM (Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente – Environment National Authority), ARAP (Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá – Water Resources Authority of Panama) and AMP (Autoridad Marítima de Panamá - Maritime Authority of Panama) for issues on fisheries management, surveillance, and research. The study recommended these limitations be addressed and, in addition, that the Directive Council be given an independent physical office, be provided a budget sufficient for permanent technical and administrative support, develop an annual operating plan, and provide training for its members.
  • Science-to-Action socioeconomic monitoring in the Galapagos found that residents involved in commercial fishing and tourism have a higher income than other residents, which was attributed to the success of the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The ecological monitoring study also demonstrated the reserve’s effectiveness, specifically that there is a direct positive correlation between enforcement in marine protected areas and biomass of predatory (but not herbivorous) fishes. The study also found that corals that survived the El Niño event in 1982/3 were resistant to the stress of the subsequent 1997/8 El Niño event and are now undergoing recovery, suggesting that subsets of these species have been selected for survival. The Science-to-Action study of extinction resistance further found that increasing the area of protected coastal zones in sensitive areas by as little as 2% would afford significant protection to certain threatened species and marine habitats.
  • Analysis of the enforcement chain in each of the ETPS nations (Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica) found that surveillance and detection were strong. However, prosecution was weak, indicating the need to focus efforts in this area of enforcement to ensure overall regional success.

Panama Science Synthesis Report: Summary (PDF, 442 KB)
This report presents an integrated overview of findings from studies conducted in Panama.


Theme: Management Effectiveness

  • Core Ecological Monitoring
    We used standardized protocols to track ecological changes inside and outside marine management areas. We use the data to monitor ecosystem health and biodiversity, and we contribute the information to adaptive management processes.
    Principal Investigators: Hector Guzman (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute) conducts our ecological monitoring in Panama’s Coiba National Park, and Matthias Wolff and Stuart Banks (Charles Darwin Foundation) oversee monitoring in the Galápagos Islands.
    Science Reports: Panama (PDF, 442 KB) • Galapagos (PDF, 2.4 MB)
  • Core Socioeconomic Monitoring
    In conjunction with Core Ecological Monitoring, we used standardized methods to track socioeconomic changes associated with MMAs.
    Principal Investigators: Juan Mate (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute) and Oswaldo Jordan conduct socioeconomic monitoring at Panama’s Coiba National Park. Diego Quiroga and Carlos Mena (Universidad San Francisco de Quito) conduct socioeconomic monitoring at the Galapagos Islands.
    Science Reports: Galapagos (PDF, 1.7 MB) • Panama Socioeconomic (PDF, 2 MB) and Governance (PDF, 705 KB)


Theme: Socioeconomic Values

  • Economic Valuation of Natural Resources
    We assessed the monetary value of natural resources from marine managed areas. The study estimated the changes in resource values expected under different management scenarios. Resource managers, educators, and conservationists can use the findings to build support for marine conservation and to prioritize among management options.
    Principal Investigator: Ricardo Montenegro (Panama’s Agencia para el Desarrollo y Conservacion)
    Science Report (PDF, 4.4 MB)
  • Cultural Roles
    We conducted focus groups and interviews to learn how cultural practices and values in Panama influence the outcomes of marine managed areas.
    Principal Investigator: Dolores Cordero (University of Panama)
    Science Report (PDF, 1.3 MB)


PARTNERS IN ETPS

  • Alianza para la Conservación y el Desarrollo
  • Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP)
  • National Environmental Authority of Panama (ANAM)
  • General Council of Coiba National Park
  • Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
  • General Council of Coiba National Park
  • MarViva
  • The Charles Darwin Foundation in the Galápagos Marine Reserve
  • Universidad San Francisco de Quito (Galápagos branch)


SCIENCE-TO-ACTION IN ETPS

  • Science-to-Action studies, particularly the fisheries assessment, socioeconomic monitoring and economic valuation, were critical in the development and approval of the Coiba National Park (CNP) management plan. The studies provided a rigorous scientific baseline for the plan, which is widely considered the best management plan that Panama has ever had.
  • Results from the Science-to-Action fisheries assessment, which demonstrated the importance of no-take areas to maintaining snapper reproductive stocks, and the socioeconomic monitoring, which identified the areas and frequency of fishing activity as well as governance issues, led to a decision by the CNP Directive Council and local fishermen groups to adopt a one-mile, no-take zone ringing Coiba. This no-take area was established by a legal degree and is 20% of the park’s marine area.
  • Results from the fisheries assessment showed that fishermen were catching sexually immature snapper because of the size of their hooks. The findings helped to increase local public support for using medium hook sizes, particularly following three fishermen workshops and two broader stakeholder workshops held in 2008. As snapper are a commercially important fishery in the area, using appropriately sized hooks will ensure economic and biological benefits.
  • From 2006 to 2009, better enforcement of fishing regulations enabled oysters to increase from 15 individuals per hectare to 40 individuals per hectare and conch from 60 to 100 individuals per hectare in Coiba National Park, according to ecological monitoring by Hector Guzman (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute). Based on this and other findings, the Science-to-Action partnership is holding meetings with fishermen and government officials to build support for sustainable fishing practices, including no-take areas.
  • An intense outreach campaign was launched to highlight the benefits and importance of the CNP with the goal of gaining public support for maintaining it. The campaign drew on results from the socioeconomic and ecological monitoring, cultural and economic valuations, and raised awareness of fishing regulations and highlighted alternative businesses to reduce fishing pressure. Nine workshops were held with more than 700 stakeholders from community members and technical government authorities (i.e., ANAP, ARAP, ATP, INAC), the Coiba Directive Council, the University of Panama in Santiago Veraguas, and the neighboring 25 communities.
  • As part of the outreach campaign, Science-to-Action coordinator Arturo Dominici and  partners in Panama created and distributed Science-to-Action materials, including 1,500 posters, booklets, and calendars (see Science-to-Action Tools section above). Community members said they valued the results and the process of sharing them, in particular that they were engaged in the learning process along with government decision makers. The materials convey key messages for science-based management by the Coiba Directive Council, which oversees management of Coiba National Park, and the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) and National Environmental Authority (ANAM).
  • As a complement to the outreach campaign, a media campaign was conducted to raise broad public awareness of the importance of CNP for future generations and to gain regulatory compliance. The campaign included publications of fisheries research results in the local journal Genesis and in the national newspaper La Prensa, along with a television program titled “Coiba, Biodiversity Treasure” on FETV. The campaign also included 15 local radio program interviews with Science-to-Action scientists arranged through MarViva and the University of Panama.
  • In Panama, more than 30 government and non-government organizations came together with Science-to-Action partners for a workshop to discuss the latest scientific findings. They identified the most effective ways to feed these results into conservation and management processes, most notably implementation of the Coiba National Park Management Plan.
  • The Science-to-Action partnership organized three workshops in Panama for fishermen and two workshops for other stakeholders. The workshops shared results from monitoring of fisheries, socioeconomic, and biological parameters, and the groups discussed ways to improve fisheries management.
  • Based in part on Science-to-Action research in Coiba National Park, a partnership of scientists, fishermen, conservation organizations, and park managers agreed to pursue new fisheries regulations to ensure long-term sustainable use of targeted economically valuable species.
  • The Science-to-Action partnership created educational materials about the importance of protecting large fish in Coiba National Park because of their high reproductive capacity. The materials helped garner support among fishermen for the newly established no-take zone and seasonal closures.
  • The Science-to-Action partnership presented monitoring results at a national meeting on coastal and marine development in Panama, where we emphasized the need for improved management and greater stakeholder participation in decision-making.
  • In Galapagos, Science-to-Action research findings will be used in the upcoming zoning discussions for the Galapagos Marine Reserve. With this in mind, an information packet was prepared to improve decision makers’ capacity to generate a technically sound zoning scheme in contrast to the previous scheme, which was based on usage, not technical information. The reader-friendly format in which the information was presented will enable an open discussion about the Galapagos Marine Reserve among the local people and their representatives before the Participatory Management Board, a counsel of users who have decision-making power over Reserve issues. These packets have been distributed widely through the media, at a launching ceremony with more than 50 prominent government officials (e.g., Mayor of San Cristobal, Undersecretary of Tourism, President of the Galapagos Government Council), and at follow-up meetings.
  • Much of the Science-to-Action work done in Galápagos has the potential to be replicated in other marine protected areas in continental Ecuador.


BUILDING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

  • The Science-to-Action partnership produced an illustrated guidebook that we provide to field researchers and stakeholders to raise awareness of threatened species in the region. Divers can record sightings of threatened species in the logbook and email them to our research team.
  • Science-to-Action partners participated in the Charles Darwin Foundation Science Symposium with the following presentations: (a) Testing trophic cascades in the Galápagos Marine Reserve: an experimental approach, (b) Vulnerability and resilience of the Galápagos society: implications of social, economic and cultural capital to exogenous shocks, and (c) Biodiversity of the Galápagos Marine Reserve: Status of the present knowledge and its ecological monitoring.


CONTACT

For information about Science-to-Action initiatives in ETPS, please contact:

Arturo Dominici,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Panama)

Fernando Ortiz,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Galápagos)