Research, Conservation, & Education in a Natural Heritage Site: COIBA SCIENTIFIC STATION, PANAMA (COIBA AIP)
In Latin America infrastructure and human capacities for marine and coastal sciences are in early development for some countries. One of the ocean research priorities of the ocean decade 2021-2030 as well as in the 30 by 30 initiative is to create and promote local science and human local capacities for science. Located in the Pacific side of Panama, Coiba island, is the largest island in Central America and an essential part of the group of islands from Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador that encompass the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor. Created in 2018, COIBA AIP research laboratory, science station and academic center is supported by the National Secretary of Science Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Panama (SENACYT). Our main objective is to generate, execute and promote research projects, formal and environmental education and new technologies oriented to protect and study biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources from insular, coastal, and oceanic environments of Panama and the Eastern Tropical Pacific marine corridor. Our research station promotes and executes projects in 14 research areas including: multiple scales of biodiversity & connectivity, ecological processes, ecological restauration, sustainable fisheries, oceanography, limnology, bioprospection, coastal management, biogeography, evolutionary processes, subaquatic archeology, anthropology, and governance. COIBA AIP mission and vision consider that science should be essential part of the decision-making process related to ocean and coastal governance and effective management of coastal and oceanic areas and natural resources. We also consider important to promote open science, international and multinational collaboration. Through this talk Coiba staff scientists want to present internationally our laboratory and academic center and to promote our strategic plan, programs, activities, and opportunities for the international community.