Parque Nacional Coiba, Panama » Marine Conservation Institute

An Ecological Nexus in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

Coiba National Park encompasses a wide variety of habitats, including coral reefs, reef-less rock bottoms, sandy bottoms and mangrove inter-tidal flats. The coral reefs located within the park are of particular interest, as they are a biodiversity hotspot with high productivity, often referred to as the "rainforest" of the sea.

Sheltered against the cold winds and the current of El Niño, Coiba National Park is an ideal place for the formation of new species, as is evidenced by the high level of endemism of many of its mammals, birds and plants species. Moreover, the site's preservation is essential for the transit and survival of pelagic fish and marine mammal species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

The uniqueness and importance of Coiba National Park for marine wildlife has already been recognized through its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Conservation International-designated Conservation Hotspot, a WWF Global 200 Eco-region, a WWF/IUCN Centre of Plant Diversity, and in one of the world’s Important Bird Areas.

A Large and Well-Connected MPA

Not only does Coiba National Park cover more than 2000 square kilometres of marine area, it is also a part of the CMAR (Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor) network, which aims to enhance marine biodiversity conservation across Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Colombia. The network includes Coco's Island National Park, the Galapagos Marine Reserve, the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, all existing Blue Parks, as well as the Gorgona National Park, thus placing Coiba within a very well-connected network of marine protected areas.

Community Involvement

Coiba National Park dedicates particular attention to community involvement in the management of the park. During the preparation of the management plan, many participative workshops were held, in order to include representatives from all the different stakeholder groups involved in the management of the park. In addition, during the ongoing process of the writing-up of a new and updated management plan for the MPA, a thorough process of public consultations is being carried out.

Photo: Ministerio de Ambiente Panama