Proposal for Improvements for the Implementation of solid waste monitoring through PRONAMEC in the Marine Protected Areas of Costa Rica

Abstract

Marine debris is one of the greatest environmental challenges humanity is currently facing. Costa Rica is not the exception to the problem of marine pollution; large coastal marine natural wealth is being affected. The Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Costa Rica protect a great variety of ecosystems. Since their creation, efforts have been made to protect these areas and the need has been found to implement a monitoring plan to evaluate the changes that occur in terms of their biodiversity. The National Ecological Monitoring Program (PRONAMEC) aims to generate and disseminate reliable scientific information on the conservation of the country’s biodiversity for local and national decision-making, in terrestrial, continental and marine waters. PRONAMEC in the Protocol for Sandy Beaches has a litter indicator, however, the information collected through its application has not yet been officially reported, with only 3 MPAs having applied it (Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala, Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas y la Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño). The purpose of this article is to report the necessary actions for the implementation of litter monitoring, through PRONAMEC, in the country’s MPAs, overall, with the provisions of the National Marine Waste Plan of Costa Rica (PNRM) 2021- 2030, as well as proposed improvements for its application, considering the barriers that exist. A survey was applied to 15 AMPs managers to determinate the status of litter monitoring. Residue samples were taken in some MPAs to determinate the ease of implementation of the protocol and obtain the first data, and records of marine debris which were requested from some MPAs that have applied it, to analyze and report them together with those obtained in the present investigation, strengthening the system for national decision making.