Costa Rica is close to raising $10 million for marine conservation

Costa Rica is close to achieving the goal of raising US$10 million for marine conservation projects, aiming to meet the global 30 by 30 targets, a local source reported Friday.

The Costa Rican Blue Fund noted in a press release that the initiative is a joint fundraising strategy between the government of Costa Rica, the Costa Rican Forever Association and Re:wild, which has been joined by other donors such as the Bezos Land Fund. Moore Foundation and Wyss Foundation.

The initiative will be implemented before 2030 within the framework of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, led by Costa Rica, France and the United Kingdom.

“Since 2021, Costa Rica has achieved the goal of protecting 30% of its marine lands, and the country has 23 marine protected areas adding up to more than 165,000 square kilometers, so this fund will allow us to strengthen existing conservation efforts, promoting a blue zone economy where communities can Coastal and different sea users improve their practices, sustainable use and productive projects,” said Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Rafael Gutierrez.

According to various studies, Costa Rica is home to 3.5% of marine species reported worldwide, including 85 endemic species.

For these efforts, the Costa Rica Forever Association, within its public-private partnership with the Government of Costa Rica, will manage the financial resources of the Blue Fund for Costa Rica, under a management structure consisting of a board of directors, a supervisory committee and a technical committee.

“92% of Costa Rica’s territory is sea, and to promote its conservation and sustainable use, collaboration between the public, private and civil society sectors is essential. The Costa Rica Blue Fund was born with US$3.5 million from our foundation and we intend to reach at least US$10 million with allies to strengthen These efforts,” emphasized the Executive Director of Costa Rica Forever, Katie de la Garza.

For its part, the Costa Rica Blue Fund will finance eCon projects through two lines of action: the first is the effectiveness of the management of marine protected areas, including adaptation to climate change, research, observation and monitoring activities. The second is the blue economy, such as responsible fishing, sustainable tourism and fishing gear conversion.