{"id":134631,"date":"2024-10-23T19:22:26","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T17:22:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/?p=134631"},"modified":"2024-10-24T14:11:34","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T12:11:34","slug":"global-fishing-watch-transforms-latam-marine-resource-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/en\/global-fishing-watch-transforms-latam-marine-resource-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Fishing Watch transforms Latam resource management"},"content":{"rendered":"

San Jos\u00e9, Oct. 23 (EFE).- The Marine Manager<\/strong> technological tool, developed by Global Fishing Watch (GFW)<\/strong><\/a>, is revolutionizing marine resource protection<\/strong> and management in Costa Rica<\/strong>, Panama<\/strong>, Colombia<\/strong>, and Ecuador<\/strong>. By processing vast datasets\u2014ranging from species telemetry to fishing activity\u2014it enables enhanced safeguarding of protected marine areas<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The platform is an interactive map<\/strong> that utilizes artificial intelligence<\/strong>, big data<\/strong>, scientific input, and user contributions to provide a comprehensive view of the sea. This includes animal telemetry<\/strong>, which tracks the movements of marine species such as sharks<\/strong>, whales<\/strong>, and turtles<\/strong>. It also incorporates environmental layers<\/strong> to visualize underwater mountains<\/strong>, corals<\/strong>, and mangroves<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The platform includes oceanographic information<\/strong>, such as sea temperature<\/strong> and oxygen concentration<\/strong>, to better understand how climate change<\/strong> affects marine ecosystems<\/strong>. It also monitors fishing activity<\/strong> to detect vessel movements<\/strong> and even potential illegal activities<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Biologist
Biologist M\u00f3nica Espinoza, LATAM leader of Global Fishing Watch, works on her computer during an interview with EFE on October 3, 2024, in San Jos\u00e9 (Costa Rica). EFE\/ Jeffrey Arguedas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Supporting Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)<\/h3>\n

\u201cMarine Manager<\/strong> emerges as a mega-platform that allows us to visualize all these different layers of information interactively. This enables the managers of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)<\/strong> to monitor and better understand what is happening in these zones,\u201d explained Global Fishing Watch’s<\/strong> leader for Latin America, biologist Monica Espinoza<\/strong>, in an interview with EFE<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cCreating an MPA is a huge step, but managing, maintaining, and monitoring them is the big task that follows. Marine Manager supports these efforts by the states,\u201d she added.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Conservation Corridor (CMAR)<\/h3>\n

In 2004, Costa Rica<\/strong>, Panama<\/strong>, Colombia<\/strong>, and Ecuador<\/strong> created the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Conservation Corridor (CMAR)<\/strong>, a unique global initiative that promotes the conservation<\/strong> and sustainable use<\/strong> of an area covering over 2 million square kilometers<\/strong>. These countries now use the interactive map to manage their marine resources<\/strong> more efficiently and in a coordinated manner.<\/p>\n

Through the Marine Manager<\/strong> portal, CMAR administrators<\/strong> collectively identify areas of interest<\/strong>, improving coordination and information exchange.<\/p>\n

\"Biologist
Biologist M\u00f3nica Espinoza, LATAM leader of Global Fishing Watch, speaks during an interview with EFE on October 3, 2024, in San Jos\u00e9 (Costa Rica). EFE\/ Jeffrey Arguedas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Global 30×30 Agreement and Marine Conservation Success<\/h3>\n

This effort also supports the goals of the global 30×30 agreement<\/strong>, which aims to protect at least 30% of the world\u2019s oceans by 2030<\/strong> to halt the rapid loss of species and protect vital ecosystems.<\/p>\n

During the United Nations Biodiversity Conference<\/strong>, held from October 21 to November 1 in Cali, Colombia<\/strong>, CMAR countries<\/strong> will share their experience and success in using these technological tools to protect marine ecosystems and species.<\/p>\n

Expanding Marine Protected Areas in Latin America<\/h3>\n

Regional cooperation<\/strong> initially focused on protecting Malpelo<\/strong> and Gorgona Islands<\/strong> (Colombia), Coiba Island<\/strong> (Panama), the Galapagos Islands<\/strong> (Ecuador), and Cocos Island<\/strong> (Costa Rica). However, due to growing concerns about marine conservation<\/strong>, protection has expanded to new areas.<\/p>\n

The number of marine protected areas<\/strong> has increased from four to ten sites, with stronger safeguards and better connectivity<\/strong> for multiple species. This includes Colombia\u2019s Yurupar\u00ed-Malpelo Integrated Management District<\/strong> and Northern Pacific Lomas and Hills Integrated Management District. <\/strong>It also includes\u00a0Costa Rica\u2019s Bicentennial Marine Management Area<\/strong>, and Ecuador\u2019s Hermandad Marine Reserve<\/strong>.<\/p>\n