Ecobreves – COSTA RICA: Mangroves on the Verge

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

SAN JOSE, Mar 6 2004 (IPS) - Costa Rican scientists and environmentalists say the country's mangroves, on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, are on the verge of collapse despite the numerous regulations in place to protect them. The continued harvesting of mollusks, fish and crustaceans, the logging of trees and construction of canals and ponds have taken a heavy toll on the mangroves, say experts from the National University.

The National University, Environment Ministry, National System for Conservation, and National Wetlands Program presented the government with an “integral proposal for optimal management of those areas, considering it is necessary to interrelate administrative and juridical aspects” with other elements of vital importance for protecting this unique ecosystem.

University expert Juan Bravo said the mangroves are important for fishing as sources of the white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), anchovetas (Engraulis ringens) and red porgy (Sparus pagrus), among others.