Management Plan for Chile’s “Mar de Juan Fernández” Protected Area is Approved
The first management plan approved under the new Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service law
Press Release Date: September 14, 2024
Location: Robinson Crusoe, Chile
Contact:
Gillian Spolarich | email: gspolarich@oceana.org
202-467-1909
In a historic milestone for Chile and the country’s Juan Fernández Archipelago, a management plan for the “Mar de Juan Fernández” Multiple-Use Conservation Area was approved this month. This is the first plan to be green lit under the country’s new Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP in Spanish).
“Today has been a historic and emotional moment for our people. With the approved plan, all doors are open to execute it, especially in the areas of environmental education, research, and inspection,” said Julio Chamorro, president of the Functional Community Organization. “We’ve shown that when the community is involved in conservation and decision-making, the processes work better. We’re very happy, but also aware of the new tasks ahead, where we hope to continue advancing in this virtuous circle together with State agencies.”
This is the culmination of a process that began in 2016 when the Chilean government created the “Mar de Juan Fernández” Multiple-Use Marine Coastal Protected Area, followed by an extensive collaboration process between the local community, the Chilean government, scientists, international donors, and Oceana to establish a governance model.
Pablo Manríquez, mayor of Juan Fernández, acknowledged the decades of advocacy work that led to the creation of the marine protected area. “All of this converges on this very important day in our history, which will be remembered by the fishing community for achieving a management plan for our multiple-use marine area,” he stated.
Among the most notable achievements of this process was the creation of the Local Management Council, which includes representatives from the community, women, and seniors, as well as tourism and fishing stakeholders from the islands of Alejandro Selkirk, Robinson Crusoe, and Desventuradas. This council was key in voicing concerns on behalf of the local community and in the official approval of the management plan.
“Our customs and traditions are rooted in the sea, where artisanal fishing stands out,” said Jaritza Rivadeneira, town councilwoman and president of the Environmental Commission of the Municipality of Juan Fernández. “Today, we had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with the local community and State institutions to jointly promote sustainable development through this iconic and important milestone that was the signature of the management plan for our marine protected area.”
This marks progress in the effective management of one of the country’s most iconic places, known for having the highest level of marine species endemism in the world. It also continues the protection of the sustainable fishing of the Juan Fernández lobster, a world-renowned practice that has been carried out sustainably for over 100 years.
“It’s been scientifically proven that when communities participate and are part of management plans, protected areas are better managed. We are very proud to have supported the community and the Chilean government in the creation and establishment of the management plans that will enable the effective management of the Mar de Juan Fernández protected area,” said Liesbeth van der Meer, Senior Vice President of Oceana in Chile. “The creation of a protected area is only a small part of the work that conservation of these biodiversity hotspots entails.”
Surrogate Minister of Environment Máximo Proaño stated that this milestone fulfills “a long-standing desire of the Fernandezian community and is a step forward in effective protection,” adding that this achievement will drive efforts to “continue working on the full implementation of this plan, providing greater certainties and peace of mind to fishermen and the local community.”
Download: photos (credit: Oceana | Pablo Acuna)
Download: underwater footage of MPA
