Coastal Services Center

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Identifying and Understanding Users in Coiba National Park, Panama

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Purpose of Study

The Coiba National Park is one the most important ecological resources in Panama. Despite current regulations, Cobia National Park is vulnerable to high levels of illegal fishing.

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent and impact of illegal fishing practices in Panama's Coiba National Park and better understand why it is taking place.

Current management practices were also reviewed to generate recommendations that might help alleviate the problem.

Tools Used

Focus Groups
Focus group communities were identified by experts and local residents most knowledgeable about the area. Initial participants were asked to identify other communities that fished in the area. This led to additional focus groups assembled from a total of ten communities. The focus groups discussed current fishing practices and helped researchers identify survey participants and areas of concern.

Survey
The final survey was administered to 170 fishermen. It covered demographics, fishing practices, fishing regulations, tourism, governmental organizations, and perceptions in the area. Fishermen were also given a map to indicate where they fished.

Outcomes

The surveys determined that between 86 and 100 percent of all fishermen from the different fishing villages fish within the boundaries of the Coiba National Park.

A large amount of the illegal fishing was determined to be not intentional. Some other conclusions reached through this study included the following:

• Fishing boundaries are not clearly marked.
• Outreach and education attempts have failed to effectively inform all of the user groups of these limits.
• The majority of fishermen were supportive of the concept of a national park.

Based on the research, management goals were suggested, including the following:

• Continue research.
• Increase stakeholder involvement and outreach.
• Add buoys around park perimeter.
• Increase public awareness of Cobia National Park.

Lessons Learned

*Lessons learned information will be gathered through telephone interviews with researchers.

Additional Resources

This project was conducted by Greg Moretti with the assistance of scientists from Duke University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. He can be contacted at Moretti@gmail.com.

Articles and Books

Moretti, G.S. 2002. Identifying and Understanding Resource Users of Panama's Coiba National Park. Master's Project. Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences.

Web Sites

Coiba National Park - General Information
Details on geography, history, climate, and wildlife associated with Cobia National Park, Panama.

Coiba National Park - Diving
Information on the park from the Panama Institute of Tourism. This describes some of the organisms found in the aquatic realm.

Coiba National Park - Terrestrial
Map and information about the island.