~ by Stephanie Mory Villaseñor - Sub-admistradora Área de Conservación Osa

This year in March, the Marino Ballena National Park was awarded 4 Ecological Blue Flags, thanks to the joint efforts of volunteers and local organizations that make up the local Blue Flag Committee. The parameters monitored were:

• Ocean water quality.
• Drinking water quality.
• Coastal sanitary conditions.
• Environmental education.
• Safety and management.

Volunteer workers, as well as local communities, have been key to obtain these awards. 

In 2017, a star was given to each flag, and the ones from 2016 are still at Piñuela and Ballena. However, they represent a big difference because Uvita and Colonia’s flags were recovered. The goal for 2018 is to keep these 4 flags and increase the number of stars for each one. To carry out this year’s plan, volunteer help will always be welcome. 

Marino Ballena National Park is in Costa Rica’s South Pacific and belongs to the Osa Conservation Area. It was declared a National Park in February, 1989 by an executive order, and its territory was expanded in July, 1992.

It has 422,5 acres of land area and 12,750 of marine area. 

The objective is to conserve the marine ecosystem; the coastal reef community is in good condition and is made up of algae, corals, octocorals, and other related organisms distributed on islets or submerged rocks.

Plus, it has beautiful landscapes with geologic formations such as sandy or rocky beaches, cliffs, and islets. 

In its outer area, there is a line of islets and submerged rocks that begins at the Whale Tail, which is a 765-yard sand tombolo. It’s one of the biggest coral reefs on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, and the habitat for a great number of species, including corals, dolphins, sea turtles, fish, starfish, mollusks, and crabs.

INFO: Stephanie Mory Villaseñor - stephanie.mory@sinac.go.cr – www.sinac.go.cr