Área de Recursos Manejados Cordillera de Coiba

Cordillera de Coiba Managed Resources Area protects over 67,900 km² in Panama’s Pacific offshore waters. It hosts a variety of deep-water ecosystems, including 24 seamounts, an abyssal trench, and expansive benthic habitat. The unique underwater topography combined with the underwater physical processes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific promotes high productivity within Cordillera de Coiba, attracting a wide range of highly migratory and threatened species.

Large pelagic predators like sharks, billfish, and tuna frequent Cordillera de Coiba, and at least 14 species of marine mammals are known to use Cordillera de Coiba for feeding or migration. Three of these are threatened with extinction according to the IUCN red list, including the blue whale, sei whale, and sperm whale. Iconic threatened species such as sea turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks have been observed within Cordillera de Coiba. These species are often associated with bycatch, highlighting the need for protection in an area of high biodiversity.

The management of Cordillera de Coiba relies on effective partnerships between government institutions, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions to ensure compliance. Satellite monitoring of the area is conducted to curb illegal fishing, and new regulations are in place to ensure long-lasting sustainability of the marine resources.

The implementation of Cordillera de Coiba Managed Resources Area allows Panama to reach its 30x30 goal ahead of schedule, and represents Panama's commitment to conserving crucial marine ecosystems. It strengthens the conservation and connectivity among additional protected areas in Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica. Cordillera de Coiba is part of the larger Eastern Tropical Marine Corridor, a regional cooperation mechanism that aims to create 500,000 km² fishing-free transboundary reserve in one of the world’s most important marine migratory routes.