The Ministry of the Environment (MIAMBIENTE) and the Maritime Authority of Panama (AMP) signed an Inter-Institutional Cooperation Agreement for the protection of oceans and the marine environment.
The agreement establishes a regulatory framework to authorize and regulate navigation in Panamanian jurisdictional waters, allowing the participation of vessels that will, free of charge, support surveillance work, prevention of environmental crimes, coastal patrols, pollution control and the care of the country's marine and coastal ecosystems.
Signed by the Minister of Environment, Juan Carlos Navarro Q. and by the administrator of the AMP, Luis Alberto Roquebert V., the agreement reflects the will of both institutions to protect oceans, mangroves and biodiversity in the sea.
“This agreement constitutes a model of technical and strategic collaboration between institutions, which not only seeks to be effective, but also to establish a precedent that serves as a reference for future national initiatives,” said Administrator Roquebert.
Minister Navarro highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating that “it marks progress in our mission to protect the oceans and marine biodiversity. Cooperation with the AMP strengthens our capacity to respond to environmental challenges and ensure sustainable management of our resources.”
The agreement recognises that these habitats, essential for planetary health, are exposed to significant threats from human activities, such as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, marine pollution and the effects of climate change, which requires urgent and coordinated action for their protection.
Panama has more than 100 protected areas, such as the Coiba National Park and the Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park in the Pacific, and key ecosystems in the Caribbean, such as coral reefs and mangroves. These spaces are crucial for the preservation of marine species and ecological balance.
The agreement establishes compliance with constitutional principles and international commitments related to environmental preservation.
Vessels participating in this project must have a navigation permit issued by the General Directorate of Merchant Marine of the AMP.
