Alejandra Villalobos Madrigal
FAICO Executive Director
Friends of Cocos Island
If I had to accurately describe what it means for Friends of Cocos Island (FAICO) to celebrate 29 years as allies in the protection of the majestic treasure of Costa Rica, it would be fair for me to say that it is “the satisfaction of having achieved so much, and that this makes us to be committed, every day more than ever, to the protection of our blue and green jewel, which is by far a natural laboratory for the planet”.
We feel great satisfaction for making our best effort to be part of key sustainable processes for the protection of a unique and wonderful site that makes Costa Ricans proud for its diversity of flora and fauna, and that also generates so many benefits for our country in terms of tourism, research, education, and fishing.
For us, it is inevitable not to mention one of the most recent events that also entails many responsibilities: the expansion of the Cocos Marine Conservation Area (ACMC), with which we went from protecting 2,034 km2 to 54,884 km2. in addition to this, we have the creation of the new Bicentennial Marine Management Area (BMMA) of 106,285 km2. This means a marine territory that measures 161,169 km2, which is 14 times larger than the terrestrial territory of our country.
The consolidation of these two very important marine protected areas (MPAs), for which FAICO also made strong efforts, was transcendental for Costa Rica to achieve the goal of conserving at least 30% of its ocean surface before 2030. It is a wise decision to conserve key ecosystems and habitats for the life cycle of many marine species, birds, and other terrestrial species, some of them endangered or highly migratory. And of course, it is also an important step towards food security and job creation for so many people who depend on our ocean.
COMMITTED!
We know that Marine Protected Areas safeguard multiple marine ecosystem services, from helping to maintain populations of species of commercial interest, to promoting connectivity among populations at a regional level.
For this reason, we, as Friends of Cocos Island, confirm our commitment to support the goals and projects to protect the Island. Today, more than ever, we say Yes! to protecting Cocos Island. Yes! to seeking resources that strengthen the action of every man and woman who works in the Cocos Marine Conservation Area! Yes, to bequeathing a blue lung to our future generations! Yes, to adding positive efforts to the decade of the oceans and human well-being!
We are sure that by strengthening the stewardship and sustainable management of the MPAs, we provide support to conserve their scenic beauties, ecosystems, and biological and cultural diversity, as well as climate regulation.
FACTS SUPPORT US!
In recent months, we have managed to consolidate and diversify partnerships that support these MPAs, promoting representativeness and effectiveness in the management of Cocos Island, the Seamounts, and the Eastern Tropical Pacific; in addition to the work to consolidate governance and strengthen management, build capacities, and increase our investments to support the Cocos Marine Conservation Area and its users.
FAICO, as a strategic partner of Cocos Island, has increased and diversified its local support to continue with the consolidation of the ecosystems of Cocos Island; but also, it has been able to manage collaboration spaces in the Marine Corridor (CMAR) of the Eastern Tropical Pacific through participation in different forums and by signing cooperation agreements.
Today, we look ahead and smile at the future, we still have a lot to do; however, we remain convinced that Cocos Island deserves all our efforts, and yours too!
