About the Project
Location : Panama, Archipelago Las Perlas ( MAP)
MARINE BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN LAS PERLAS ARCHIPELAGO, PANAMA.
In April 2003, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), the Darwin Initiative (DI), and Heriot Watt University (HWU) teamed up in a three-year period to develop an important project that would give immeasurable conservation benefits to Panama.
The Purpose of this project is to build up research expertise in a team dedicated to obtain habitat information and to produce management plans for the marine and coastal environment of Las Perlas in the Gulf of Panama, in order to enable the designation of a Marine Protected Area within the Archipelago’s boundaries.
For three years, students, staff scientists and collaborators have worked intensively in using the data to support the protection of the marine resources of these islands.
Go to News section for the latest information regarding the extension of the Project
Outputs of the project:
- MSc level scholarships have been granted to three Panamanian Darwin Fellows to gain experience in applied field research, 2003-2005.
- Field plots and action plans have been produced.
- Results disseminated through conferences, scientific papers and other means.
- Information and experience exchange network of Darwin workers established.
- Marine Educational materials (e.g. brochures, posters, videos).
- Decreed to protect the marine resources of Las Perlas Archipelago. Law passed on May 31st, 2007. [ Download Ley 18 - PDF ]
The Las Perlas Special Management Zone has a total area of 168,771 hectares, including two nautical miles around the satellite zones of Isla Galera and Roca Trollope.