The Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape (ETPS) supports marine conservation and sustainable use of resources in the national waters, coasts and islands of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama.
The ETPS is a region of abundant and spectacular marine life. Its two million square kilometers (more than 770,000 square miles) of complex biogeography – including isolated islands, the convergence of numerous currents and highly productive upwelling – have given rise to high diversity, endemism and concentrations of species that support both fisheries and tourism.
It's a crossroads of sorts for an incredibly diverse mix of marine species whose movements change with the season, depending on where the food is. Migrating groups of sharks and humpback whales roam these waters in a display of life now rare in many other areas.
The region is also a meeting point for major ocean current systems, making it home to diverse and unique marine life. That biological diversity is extremely vulnerable to climate change. El Niño events in the area, linked to rising sea temperatures, cause regular die offs when they occur which shut down ecological cycles that require long periods for a full recovery. As the climate changes, these events appear to be increasing in frequency and intensity.
Despite governmental collaboration, protection can still be strengthened. For instance, the international demand for shark fins continues to rise, putting pressure on species from the Eastern Tropical Pacific and other areas of the world. If such activities persist, shark populations will continue to plummet. Illegal fishing is also problematic, as are high levels of accidental bycatch. Large-scale shipping in the region has created potential for toxic spills and unchecked tourism has damaged fragile coastal and marine sites.
Securing the seascape's protection was a great first step. Now we aim to strengthen it.