In Conversation with

José Julio Casas

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CMAR at 20: A Visionary Model for Marine Conservation and International Cooperation

The Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor is shaping the future of ocean sustainability in Latin America and the world, says José Julio Casas

For two decades, the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor has united the governments of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama in safeguarding the unique marine ecosystems that connect the four Latin American nations. Spanning over 772,000 square miles (2 million square kilometers) of open ocean, the corridor, also known as CMAR, is a remarkable example of regional cooperation in action as it protects and sustainably manages vibrant marine and coastal resources for posterity. 

But beyond its role as a successful biodiversity initiative, CMAR has also established itself as an internationally recognized benchmark for best practices in marine conservation. Indeed, when it comes to managing contiguous marine protected areas (MPAs), CMAR is at the absolute forefront, a fact of which CMAR Pro-Tempore Secretary José Julio Casas is well aware. 

“The vision behind CMAR ensures we adopt a collaborative approach to environmental stewardship and sustainable resource management,” explains José Julio. “And this approach not only benefits the region but the whole world.” 

Ahead of the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, we asked José Julio to expand on CMAR’s increasingly relevant global role, highlighting the corridor’s history, its ongoing collaboration with Global Fishing Watch and the initiative’s vision for the future of marine protection in the region.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Mapelo Island, located 506 kilometers off the Colombian coast, is a vital habitat for many marine species in danger of extinction. It is one of CMAR’s original marine protected areas and was also designated a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006. © CMAR

What is CMAR and why was it created?

CMAR is a voluntary government initiative spearheaded by the Ministries of Environment of Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia and Panama. Its primary goal is to effectively administer marine and coastal resources with the support of civil society, international cooperation, academia and different government actors. The countries created this initiative in 2004 to preserve and sustainably manage shared marine resources, mainly focusing on the protection of highly migratory species that traverse these waters.

The shared vision of these four nations is crucial for the long-term health of the Eastern Tropical Pacific. 

2004
2022

In 20 years, the CMAR went from 5-10 marine protected areas with new types of marine protection, providing stronger safeguards and better connectivity for the multiple species thriving in it. © Global Fishing Watch

What has been the key to CMAR’s decades-long success as a multi-country initiative?

The commitment and collaboration of the member countries has been at the core of CMAR’s success. For the last two decades, this initiative has thrived thanks to its solid governance structure, which integrates representation from various partners and aligns them for the region’s benefit. This multilevel governance allows for diverse perspectives and creates a comprehensive conservation and marine management approach.

What role do technology and transparency play in the effective management of marine protected areas?

Managing coastal marine areas is no small feat, especially given the difficulties, risks and expenses involved. These challenges increase exponentially when the areas in question are far offshore, as is the case with many of CMAR’s protected areas. This is where technology becomes essential. Tools that enable monitoring and inspection help cover large areas, reduce risks for personnel and increase efficiency.

Furthermore, transparency in control and surveillance programs builds trust among all stakeholders, from national and regional government entities to local communities. Transparency ensures that the protection of marine areas is based on reliable data and fair practices.

The Galapagos marine iguana is an endemic species distributed throughout the Galapagos archipelago. The Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve has been part of CMAR since 2004, supporting the protection of hundreds of species that coexist with the islands’ 25,000 inhabitants and the more than 250,000 visitors who arrive each year. © CMAR

How did the partnership between CMAR and Global Fishing Watch come about and what benefits has it brought to CMAR?

The partnership with Global Fishing Watch began by harnessing the organization’s cutting-edge technology to meet CMAR’s specific needs. Thanks to this support, we’ve been able to monitor MPAs more effectively and conduct analyses that help shape effective management strategies. The joint work enables us to use reliable data to make informed decisions that protect the marine resources within CMAR’s waters.

For example, through Marine Manager we can track the activities of various users in our marine corridor, identify potential threats and act accordingly to safeguard our ecosystems.

What are the main challenges CMAR faces in monitoring and protecting its shared waters and how is Global Fishing Watch helping address them?

The biggest challenge is ensuring that our efforts to combat illegal activities lead to concrete legal action and sanctions. Identifying illegalities is not enough—we need a judicial structure where all actors understand their roles and work towards applying meaningful sanctions for environmental crimes. Global Fishing Watch contributes by providing the tools and data needed to identify illegal activities, enabling us to take decisive action through our own judicial structures.

How do initiatives like CMAR support the global 30x30 agenda, and what can others learn from CMAR’s collaboration with Global Fishing Watch?

Regional initiatives such as CMAR are essential for setting a global precedent for the 30×30 agenda. They foster direct cooperation between member countries, facilitating the exchange of best practices and lessons learned, which can be useful elsewhere. CMAR also supports the fulfillment of international commitments like 30×30 by offering the technical information required for national and international decision making and implementation.

Our collaboration with Global Fishing Watch has demonstrated the power of international partnerships in advancing these goals. It shows that technical support is crucial for carrying out activities like monitoring MPAs. Moreover, the transparency brought by this partnership exemplifies how governments can act responsibly to protect marine environments and meet global conservation targets.

Coiba National Park is located 440 kilometers southwest of the Panamanian coast. It has eight smaller islands and 30 islets of volcanic origin, one of which is Granito de Oro (above). The waters of Coiba are home to species such as whale sharks, tiger sharks, manta rays, mahi-mahi and yellowfin tuna. © CMAR

CMAR is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Looking ahead, what do you envision for CMAR over the next two decades?

CMAR is currently undergoing a significant strengthening process across its legal, financial and planning work. This is laying the groundwork for an initiative with greater capacity and resilience. By 2044, I foresee CMAR as a legally robust entity with sustainable finances and practical, measurable plans to achieve its objectives. We aim to ensure that CMAR not only continues to protect the Eastern Tropical Pacific’s biodiversity but serves as a model for regional cooperation in marine conservation.

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