â“’ Ben Dilley
The Issue
In 2022, Costa Rica massively expanded the size of the Cocos Island National Park – a remote area more than 300 miles (>500 kilometers) southwest of the country’s mainland. Cocos Island, which has been labeled by many as the world’s largest uninhabited tropical island, is surrounded by some of the richest marine life on the planet.
As part of the country’s commitment to protect 30 percent of its waters, the marine protected area was increased from 784 square miles (2,032 square kilometers) to a staggering 21,175 square miles (54,844 square kilometers) under an executive decree aimed at protecting ecologically and biologically significant marine wildlife. The national park, now 27 times greater in size than its original designation, also includes one of the largest no-fishing zones in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
But managing such a distant and vast expanse of water brings significant challenges. And the region’s rich marine life attracts large numbers of fishing vessels, including foreign fleets operating illegally.
Our Work
Global Fishing Watch was invited to participate in the preparation of a 10-year management plan for the Cocos Island National Park, which was officially adopted in June 2024. Harnessing vessel tracking data through our marine manager portal, we were able to analyze activity taking place within the marine protected area over a three-year period and worked with those in charge of the management plan to discuss our findings. It was the first time Global Fishing Watch has been formally involved in shaping a management plan for a marine protected area.Â
Costa Rica has already committed to transparency by publicly sharing its vessel tracking data on our map in 2022. And through the support of the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy project, we have provided training and technical support to enable government staff to make the most of our tools and technology. Park authorities are now using Marine Manager in their day-to-day work to monitor the Cocos Island National Park.Â
According to analysis fueled by available data in our platform, results are very promising, showing a marked reduction in illegal fishing in 2024 that has been acknowledged by the National Park authorities.Â
"Our reality completely changed with the Cocos Island National Park's expansion – we knew we had to migrate to technology to protect it. That's why platforms like Global Fishing Watch are vital – it is the only way to be able to manage and get to know what is happening in the protected area. You have to bet on technology because otherwise, it is impossible to protect an area as large as the one we have now."
