Parque Marino del Pacífico

The Parque Marino a strategic project for the development of Costa Rica’s marine and coastal zones

The Marine Park was founded in 2002 by the Law No. 8065. It is a socio-environmental project under sustainable development concept, collaborating with the improvement of human and environmental necessities on coastal zone.

The facilities were built in the old railroad station of the Pacific Coast in the city of Puntarenas. Pushed through the efforts of many people and institutions, especially Mrs. Elizabeth Odio Benito, Vice President of the Republic (1998-2002), and Dr. Alfio Piva Mesén, IPNBio´s Executive Director.

MINAE is the Park’s institutional leader. Its partners are the community of Puntarenas, the Universidad Nacional (UNA), the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA) and the Intituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INBio). The administration is provided by the Parque Marino del Pacífico Foundation.

Mission of the Parque Marino

The Parque Marino del Pacífico is an interdisciplinary and inter-institutional organization whose mission promotes, supports and shares research, education and the sustainable use of marine biodiversity. It is also a center for recreation.

The Park practices and promotes values like fairness, solidarity, responsibility, teamwork, efficiency, common work and a search for the balance between ecosystems.

The Marine Park’s work towards fulfilling its mission:

It promotes the conservation of marine resources and participates in quality programs of formal and informal education.
It develops technological packages to share with other people and interested groups.
It promotes projects that improve the quality of life for coastal communities and it supports the conservation of marine resources.
It participates in policy making concerning the conservation and handling of marine-coast resources.
It is a place that is periodically improved for recreation which stimulates learning

Parque Marino’s Board of Directors

Coordinator MINAE : Ing. Ana Lorena Guevara, Vice Minister of Environment
Representative UNA: Mrs. Sandra Leon, Universidad Nacional President
Representative INA: Dr. Olman Segura, Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje Executive President
Representative INBio: Mr. Alonso Matamoros, INBio’s Executive Director
Representative of the Puntarenas community: Mr.. Miguel Gómez Doninelli
Executive Director: Dr. Angel F. Herrera Ulloa, UNA

Foundation Parque Marino Board of Directors:

President: Mrs. Juana M. Coto Campos, UNA
Representative MINAE: Mr. Carlos Serrano
Representative INA: Mr. Edgar Guzmán M.
Representative of Puntarenas Municipality: Mr. Alvaro Quesada
Representative Government: Mr. Miguel Renna