5 key points of transparency in the ocean

In this first on-site Rush Hour in Nosara, we sat down with Mariana Blanco, Lawyer specializing in Law of the Sea, and Sofía Arguedas, Project Management at SPHERA, to talk about transparency in the oceans.

Mariana began studying law, aspiring to become an environmental lawyer. Working in NGO's, she learned about the oceans, specializing as a Fish Lawyer.

1. What is ocean governance?

Maritime governance is the “traffic control” of the ocean - it takes care of the regulatory oversight of the maritime sectors, that everything works well in the ports and with the ships that sail there.

Maritime governance has always been at the bottom of the list of government priorities - there are not many professionals and knowledge dedicated to the sea.

2. Transparency and ocean protection

Mariana is part of Global Fishing Watch, an organization that creates and shares human activity in the oceans for fairer and more sustainable use – developing cutting-edge technologies in fishing activity. Technology to promote transparency and protection.

For example, the importance of having technology that makes it easier to track vessels to know:

• Time periods

• Routes

• Vulnerable or trawl fishing zones

These new technologies are good tools for countries to be aware of and avoid irregularities. Also, being able to keep data always up to date without the need for countries to spend resources on collecting it themselves.

3. Beyond regulation: environmental responsibility in coastal zones

Before starting any project in coastal zones, it is essential to know and respect existing regulations - to protect fragile ecosystems and balance development with conservation. However, to design responsibly, it is necessary to go beyond regulatory compliance: it involves questioning what our true environmental and social impact is.

Coastal developments put terrestrial and marine wildlife at great risk. So is the impact on pollution, fishing, community, and social issues.

4. The current situation

In Costa Rica, we have advanced considerably in terms of maritime land protection. Yes, there are good regulations. However, the real challenge is not so much in the quality of the laws, but in their application.

A clear example of this disconnection occurs in the area of fisheries. Our country has not been able to carry out a study of the fishing 'stock', to know how much of the resource we have available. This lack of scientific data prevents responsible and sustainable fisheries management, which represents a risk for both the species and the communities that depend on this activity for their livelihoods.

5. The future vision of ocean governance

The vision for the future of ocean governance is that there will be an organization and structure that brings together all related areas. For example, municipalities should be more focused on this issue, taking into account scientific and social aspects, and working in synchrony with communities.

It is crucial to recognize that our actions - from waste management to land use or fishing policies – have direct impacts on water salinity, the health of marine species, and the quality of life of coastal communities.

In summary

Maritime governance is key to achieving fair, sustainable and transparent use of our marine resources.

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