The Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary (MMFS), located 490 km west from the Colombian Tropical
Pacific coast and declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in July 2006 is home to
incredible biodiversity. Moreover, the MMFS is included in the first Conservation Marine Corridor
(CMAR) of the Eastern Tropical Pacific, a transregional marine area which is integrating a complex
of Islands from different countries (see Figure 3) and considered as one of the most productive
areas of the Eastern Tropical Pacific and one of the biogeographical provinces with a very high
of endemism in the world. Then, the MMFS has an important ecological interconnection level and
complex oceanographic properties, given mainly to the multiple marine convergence currents, which
facilitates the dispersion of marine larvae, affecting migrations, movements and distribution of many
regionally and globally important species. Specifically, the MMFS includes: a high endemism level
with, until date, 4 terrestrial and 5 marine species exclusively found in the Sanctuary; the largest
nesting population of Nazca booby in the world with an estimated number of 100.000 individuals; 14
different species of sharks, seven of which have been nationally and internationally recognized as
vulnerable, and one of which (the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark), is on the IUCN endangered species
list; and a total of 1315 species reported until date.
Unfortunately, as the MMFS provides a significant aggregation site for feeding, cleaning, mating
and resting for numerous species of sea life along their Pacific migration routes, these species have
been increasingly threatened by illegal fishing in the Protected Area (PA), unsustainable fishing in the
Corridor, and more specifically by the shark fining industry which has become a growing fishery target
for local coastal communities, whose traditional fishing resources have diminished. This former threat
to biodiversity, is not the only one which is affecting the equilibrium of the MMFS and, is taking part of an entire problematic which include also: threats from non-native species that have harmful effects on biodiversity following their introduction in the Island; threats from unadvised tourism which is leaving a substantial footprint in the local ecosystem (this threat is currently being managed but continuing work is necessary) ; threats from the lack of management of sewage system and rubbish treatment in the Island; and threats originated by the weakness of environmental awareness in local communities.
Despite the enormous efforts made to date, the MFFS still has conservation gaps that must be
addressed if the desired ecological representation is to be achieved. The strategic and thematic
lines of intervention for strengthening this marine protected area are aimed to strengthen the
mechanisms and planning tools, management and coordination of the PA, based on the results of
biological monitoring and administration; local participation and socioeconomic development; the
professionalization and implementation of services ; and PA management capacity building. This
program will be established by strengthening the enforcement of the Sanctuary Management Plan
(see attached document, 1.Management Plan) and the main challenges to be addressed by the project
will be:
-Improving implementation and effective monitoring of the PA.
-Updating and improving information management tools.
-Promoting sustainable fisheries and tourism.
-Increasing and improving control and surveillance of the PA.
-Capacitating Coastguard teams and tourism operators on alien species introduction prevention,
MMFS biological values and PA policy.
-Promoting at local, national and regional levels, awareness and active involvement of local
communities and Protected Areas stakeholders.
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