Goal: Catalyze the designation of approximately 170,172 km² of new or expanded marine protected areas (MPAs) and enhance existing protections of 53,858 km² by progressing management planning

In partnership with the Colombian Ministry of the Environment, National Parks Colombia, World Wildlife Fund, and others, the Blue Nature Alliance supported the 2022 launch of a new Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative called Herencia Colombia. Herencia Colombia secures funding for the protection of 32 million hectares of Colombia’s terrestrial and marine environments and advance Colombia’s goal of protecting 30% of its marine areas by 2030. Alliance support of Herencia Colombia, alongside that of other donors, will enable the durability new and expanded MPAs and contribute to the fulfillment of the country’s 2030 commitments.  

Moreover, the Blue Nature Alliance is working with its local partners Fundación Malpelo, Conservation International Colombia and Natural Parks Colombia to support management planning for the new and expanded large scale MPAs of Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, Yuruparí-Malpelo National Integrated Management District, Lomas y Colinas del Pacifico National Integrated Management District, and Beata Ridge Natural Reserve.  

As a bi-oceanic country that touches both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, roughly 45% (900,000 km²) of Colombia’s territory is marine. The combined Pacific and Caribbean exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Colombia covers some of the most important biological hotspots in the world, crucial for migratory species like whales, sharks, tuna, sea turtles, manta rays, and birds, as well as extensive coral reefs and important sea turtle feeding and nesting grounds.  

In 2004, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama launched the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor initiative, linking five existing MPAs between the countries. In 2021, the four countries began working on a transboundary effort in the Eastern Tropical Pacific to improve connectivity across the region. 

On Caribbean side, Colombia recently entered into a joint agreement with the Dominican Republic to take coordinated efforts in the protection of the Beata Ridge, marking a historic milestone for transboundary marine conservation in the region.  

With Blue Nature Alliance and others’ support of Herencia Colombia, existing protections have been expanded in the Malpelo & Yuruparí MPAs and new protections have been designated in Lomas y Colinas del Pacifico and Cordillera Beata. The Blue Nature Alliance is now supporting  the management planning processes of the recently expanded/designated MPAs.

“We are proud to be part of this initiative that facilitates significant progress toward Colombia’s goal of protecting 30% of its seas by 2030. This commitment supports the preservation of this megadiverse country for its future generations and, in turn, contributes to the well-being of local communities.”

– Sandra Valenzuela, Executive Director, WWF-Colombia