Even in California, it is estimated that over $250 million a year in illegal lobster, abalone and rock fish is occurring in our ‘No Take’ MPAs.
Global Conservation is deploying Marine Monitor (M2) like this one in Palau, Cuba, Belize, Mexico, Philippines and Indonesia and other MPA to protect endangered marine ecosystems from further decimation. With Marine Monitor, developed by Anthropocene Institute, all boats moving in the MPA can be seen 24/7 day and night enabling MPA wardens to effectively target anti-poaching operations.
Global Conservation is helping California embark on a new effort to shield ocean waters from overfishing by wildlife poachers and anglers who illegally catch bass, yellowtail, lobsters and other types of marine life within California MPAs.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are critically important in response to growing threats of widespread extinction of various fish and other marine species. A recent study published in Science magazine found that most threatened are larger marine species, such as tuna, sharks and sea turtles.
California’s network of 120+ MPAs cover about 16% of coastal waters, or roughly 5,200 square miles with restrictions from ‘No Take’ prohibiting any removal of marine life to ‘Recreational Take’ allowing only designated fish species, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and tunas. The idea is to create protected spawning grounds that help marine life rebound and eventually repopulate the fishable areas.
Darien National Park is one of the most important World Heritage Sites in Central America. Last year, Global Conservation launched Global Park Defense to combat illegal activities within Darien National Park and protect its inhabitants and surrounding communities.
read moreThe Global Conservation Central America team has just kicked off a new GC Project with the Naso People of Panama to protect La Amistad International Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Working with both the government’s park authorities and a new 60-person Indigenous Protection Force, Global Conservation will deploy Global Park Defense to protect over 400,000 acres of intact, pristine and highly biodiverse forests and wildlife habitats.
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