Costa Rica’s Cocos Island National Park was nominated as candidate to the “Global Refuge Award” (GLORES), an initiative promoted by the Marine Conservation Institute.

The Global Ocean Refuge System aims to safeguard marine biodiversity by assembling a strategic network of effective marine protected areas (MPA’s) that includes replicate representation of all marine habitats in each bio-geographic region and supports marine population persistence.

“Cocos Island National Park, guarantees Costa Ricans and the world, the conservation of a natural sanctuary of marine and land species, which represents a key site for the development of science. The nomination to this award represents another achievement for the country in topics of conservation, thanks to the public-private efforts to preserve the environment and make sustainable use of our natural resources”, commented Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, Minister of Environment and Energy.

Global Ocean Refuge Awards incentivize the implementation of more effective MPAs by awarding those that meet science-based standards for effectiveness. Governments and NGOs welcome Global Ocean Refuge Awards because they attract tourists, local support and investors, and they bring a sense of pride to political leaders, managers, and communities. The Global Ocean Refuge System is a strategic framework that supports MPA efforts around the world, complementing the advocacy of conservation groups working to implement MPAs and international MPA commitments.

The nomination of Cocos Island also recognizes its natural, historical and cultural richness. The Island is home to more than 2,600 species of marine and insular flora and fauna, 100 of which are unique in the world. It has been the scenario of multiple national and international historical events, its covered by a dense forest vegetation and due to the clarity of its waters it is considered one of the ten best scuba diving sites in the world.

“Cocos Island National Park is an important point of travel for migratory sharks in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The island is a globally important reservoir of biodiversity, and is visited by blue whales, sperm whales and bottlenose dolphins”, describes the Global Ocean Refuge website.

An international scientific committee will deliberate during the month of August 2019 and will announce the winners in October 2019.