Environmental Protection- Marine Protected Areas

Panama has in recent years received increasing international attention for its wealth of biodiversity both on land and underwater. This is generating a steady increase in tourism and in turn greater stress on the environment. The country is expected to become one of the major tourist destinations in the region.

In 2004 official statistics showed that 872 1756 tourists visited Panama which constitutes an increase of 8.6% in the demand for related services. In the following years, a steady annual increase by 4.8% has ported further impact on the country and its fragile ecosystems. Consequently the diving industry has equally experience a rapid increase. Active participation of tourism and divie operators and their knowledge of this sector will be central to all local and national marine conservation efforts in Panama.

In Panama, the National Maritime Agency (Autoridad Marítima de Panamá- AMP) is responsible for regulating marine activities in non legally protected areas and the National Environmental Agency (Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente- ANAM) assumes the management of designated marine protected areas such as Bastamiento, Coiba and Portobello. With more than 30 dive operators currently active in the country in key marine areas - Bocas del Toro, Coiba and Portobello - there is an opportunity to develop diving standards and partnerships between the dive industry, the government and NGOs to operationalize standards and ensure Panama's pristine reefs remain intact.

Sustainable Development Group International is currently in preparation of a project related to this issue.

For enquiries regarding our involvement please write to us at info@sdg.int.org or consult our website as we will be updating the information regularly.