Conserving Resources

• Canal Watershed and Darien Forests:  Identifying and addressing the economic and social needs of the region is a critical component in sustainably managing forest areas.  The dichotomy between ecosystems and communities rich in natural resources, but poor in economic opportunities, generates the conditions where the immediate needs of local communities threaten one of the world’s largest carbon sink.  We are focusing our efforts on building capacity within the indigenous communities in the Darien to manage their forests and other natural resources in a manner that is sustainable, protects the biodiversity inherent to the region, and improves their livelihoods at the same time. You can learn more about the US Embassy’s conservation of the biodiversity in the Panama Canal Watershed at: http://www.usaidcbcpanama.org. You can also learn more about our support for the Government of Panama’s August 2010 decision to maintain the Darien Gap at: http://panama.usembassy.gov/pr082410.html.
• Debt for Nature Swap:  The United States, with the involvement of The Nature Conservancy, has forgiven $21 million in debt-for-nature swaps pursuant to the U.S. Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 in the Chagres National Park (signed 2003) and the Darien National Park (signed 2004).  The relief will allow the Government of Panama to focus on the protection of the Chagres National Park (a haven for numerous endangered animals, including birds, jaguars, anteaters, harpy eagles and mantled howler monkeys) and the Darién National Park (an area of dense rainforest, sandy beaches, freshwater marshes and rocky coasts that is environmentally, anthropologically and historically rich).  You can learn more about The Nature Conservancy and the Debt for Nature Swap at: http://www.nature.org/success/panamadfn.html. 
• Marine Resources:  The United States is dedicated to the stewardship of living marine resources through science-based conservation and management, and to promoting economic benefits and food security through sustainable fisheries.  Through the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (MSRA), the United States is working multilaterally through various fora, such as Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs), to address illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and by-catch of protected living marine resources.  More information about MSRA, what steps Panama took to address concerns about IUU fishing in 2007-2008, and why Panama was listed as a country engaged in IUU fishing in 2009-2010, can be found at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/msa2007/docs/biennia_report_to_congress.pdf.  We also work with Panama to protect turtles and vulnerable species by providing training and promoting policies and actions to reduce by-catch; for more info see http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/teds.htm.  We have also initiated a Management of Aquatic Resources and Alternative Development (MAREA) program which aims to strengthen coastal and marine resource management in order to reduce environmental threats, conserve biodiversity, and improve livelihoods in the Bocas del Toro area.