During this past month of May 2008, an event took place in Playas del Coco which overall addressed their objective by means of different approaches to the theme of coastal marine conservation. In the "Festival del Mar" (Festival of the Sea) organized by the Natura Cultura Foundation, some of the participants were environmentalists such as PRETOM (Program for the Restoration of Marine Turtles), VESPERA (Special Unit for Animal Protection and Rescue) and KETO Foundation.
Playas del Coco
Also participating in the activities were children's group Proyecto de Luz (Project of Light) and representatives of the area's fishermen and of local dive shops.
The agenda included discussions and lectures about conservation and sustainability of the fishing and tourist activities, a photo exhibition by Diego Mejias and Luciano Capelli, painting exhibition by Carlos Hiller and Felix Murillo, a jazz concert by the group Morpho and a children's drawing contest with themes of marine conservation in which almost 100 enthusiastic children participated.
The children's program RG Elementos reported and took part in the beach clean up with the collaboration of children, youth and adults- not only members of this community but also many tourists who "rolled up their sleeves and went to work" to help take care of the place they were enjoying. To everyone, our deepest thanks from Natura Cultura Foundation.
The central element of the activity were the technical talks which analyzed recent scientific data on the state of the sting rays, sharks, whales, dolphins and marine turtles. This was followed by an analysis of the possibilities of converting the artisan fishing activities into the observation of cetaceous as a profitable subsistence option that is more sustainable.
In an atmosphere of trust and counting on the presence of the fishermen of our area as well as representatives of the Fishermen's Chambers from Tárcoles and Playa Coyote-both of which have experience in sustainability, there was a open a & afogue on the protection of the rays in the central and north Pacific. Here in where the populations have started to decimate, as have the sharks, due to the cruel and truly unsustainable market for fins, destined to satisfy absurd vices of the oriental gastronomic market.
According to the compilation of data that the fishermen themselves provided, Droper management does not exist and even worst, they are sold not only to the orient, but also even within our own country, where some immoral people are using them to create fish burgers in restaurants of a famous international fast food chain. As a consequence of the scarcity of other fish species and the increase in their prices, the option of a cheap alternative such as the rays are attractive to the pockets of the mercantile machines of pseudo- nutrition around the globe.
The big problem lies in that rays have low reproductive capability in comparison with other fish that can breed into the hundreds or thousands. By being less prolific, the ray and the shark have a slower biological recovery and therefore are more easily affected by the over exploitation. As organizer of the "Festival del Mar" (Festival of the Sea), it was a moment of pride seeing the commitment and generosity of nationals and foreigners in the beach clean up activity.
Playa Coyote
It is very satisfying to see the joy of all, at being called upon to help, as if they were grateful for the opportunity to attest by a concrete demonstration to the respect they profess for nature. Those small grains of sand that we can contribute towards the creation of solutions have an immediate effect in our mood and help to reaffirm and stimulate our commitments to the world in which we live. Many small actions become big results when the efforts are combined and that is what is happening in this community that looks towards the improvements and not towards criticism and inactivity.
This reunion of commitments and generosity has served as a spring board for the development of strategic plans centered on education, at mid and long range scientific investigation, and above all, it has provided the basis to the development of an action plan which includes the entire community. A plan that will address not only this subject in particular, but also other problems that have caused our environment to reach a critical situation. One thing provided great motivation for us all: The contagious energy and the purity of the children who brought color and joy, as well as, amaze us with their devoted interest and environmental conscience.
Their plea to us is to take care of their present and future home, which is perceived not only in their words but also in their hope and the sparkles in their eyes at visualizing nature while choosing the elements they would paint. When looking at their creations, we were very clearly told that they are interested in the situation and that they are paying attention to what us "grown ups" are doing with their world. The adults must draw strength from their contagious power. The power of honesty and the selfless love for life. As adults we often feel estranged from nature, but fortunately, we have the children to remind us that we are a fundamental part of it.
The message they left us with during the Festival del Mar, and that we must always remember, is very simple and true: Not to protect nature is, in the final account, to play Russian roulette with the future well being of our own children.
Courtesy of Revista Utopia
Ecotourism and Nature 
