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. 8265. 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.

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 provided by the foundation Parque Marino del Pacífico, and the operation is executed with participation of four institutional partners.

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. Jorge Rodríguez Quirós, Vice President Minister of Environment
• Representative UNA: Dr. Olman Segura Bonilla, President Universidad Nacional
• Representative INA: M.A. Luis Ramírez, Technical Manager, Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje
• Representative INBio: Dr. Alfio Piva Mesén, INBio’s Executive Director
• Representative of the Puntarenas community: Sr. Miguel Gómez Doninelli
• Executive Director: Dr. Angel F. Herrera Ulloa, UNA

Foundation Parque Marino Board of Directors:

• President: M.Sc. Juana M. Coto Campos, UNA
• Representative MINAE: Lic. Carlos Serrano
• Representative INA: M.Sc. Marco Acosta N.
• Representative of Puntarenas Municipality: Mr. Alvaro Quesada
• Representative Government: Mr. Miguel Renna