The President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, international guests, personnel of the Cocos Marine Conservation Area (ACMC) of the National System of Areas of Conservation (SINAC), celebrated the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Isla del Coco as a National Park.

Alvarado reconfirmed the commitment of the government “to continue protecting the historic and cultural legacy of Isla del Coco” convinced that “it is our duty to generate actions that strengthen the contribution of this natural jewel which holds a big wealth in terms of biodiversity”.

Isla del Coco has a total area of 24 square kilometers and 12 nautical miles of absolute protection around the island, making It the biggest National Park in Costa Rica and the home to over 2600 species, 100 of which are unique in the world.

“With the creation of this Park, the Carazo Odio administration guaranteed Costa Ricans and the world the conservation of a natural sanctuary of marine and terrestrial species, which represents a living laboratory of interest for the development of science”, commented Marco Vinicio Araya, Director of ACMC.

Part of the celebration of the 40th anniversary includes an initiative by the Jade Museum and the Cocos Marine Conservation Area for the exhibit “Isla del Coco: the last natural frontier of Costa Rica” in the temporary exhibit room which will also have conferences and activities and will be open to the public from June 22 through January 22, 2019.

“The exhibit is an opportunity for the public to know the natural patrimony of the Isla del Coco through information about the great and particular marine and insular biodiversity, as well as the work the park rangers do in the place”, commented Geiner Golfin, park ranger and responsible of the Program Management of Natural Resources of Isla del Coco National Park.