The U.S. State Department today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama in support of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor.
Announced by the Presidents of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama during COP26 last year, CMAR is an effort to link ~500,000 sq. km. of existing marine protected areas into an interconnected and sustainably managed biological corridor.
Pursuant to the MOU, the United States will work with the four countries to strengthen marine governance, maritime security, and marine conservation finance, “contribute to goal of conserving or protecting at least 30 percent of the global ocean by 2030,” preserve sea turtle, whale, shark, and ray migratory routes, address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and protect ocean resources from climate change impacts.
