Guard Program for Coco Island National Park 

Area de Conservación Marina Isla del Coco, Costa Rica

Japanese Embassy

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This project aimed to provide Coco Island National Park with systems of communication, electricity, and navigation that will allow staff assigned to the island to do their work efficiently and safely, specifically the work of monitoring and guarding the marine resources. A communication system can improve coordination between the park personnel and the staff in the park service offices in the capital city of San José.

1) Provided better communication and transportation systems to respond to emergencies; 2) Provided better navigation equipment that will allow efficient patrolling of the protected region surrounding the island; 3) Upgraded the infrastructure installed in Wafer Bay with electric energy by installing photovoltaic cells and hydroelectric units.

1) Guards patrol more securely, efficiently, and regularly, with communication equipment and outboard motors that are adequate for the situations that they confront. 2) Park infrastructure provided with solar panels to provide basic electrical energy needs. 3) Expedited mobilization in emergencies, such as capture of illegal fishermen, health problems, sea or land accidents, individual rescues, etc. 4) Purchase of all the equipment needed to complete the project and delivery of this equipment to the Coco Island Marine Conservation Area.

Due to the lack of an affirmative answer on the part of the Environment and Energy Ministry, an act of protocol for formal delivery of the equipment, as requested by the Japanese Embassy, has not occurred. Further, the installation of the hydroelectric unit has not been possible to date, since the electricity institute demanded a new environmental impact study, which the appropriate government agency has yet to approve, so the equipment has not yet been installed.

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