Our work in
Protected areas
BAYAHIBE
FUNDEMAR, through its marine station in Bayahibe (CECOMAR), collaborates permanently with the administration of the Cotubanamá National Park. Additionally, through the Marine Biodiversity program, it works on the restoration and conservation of marine ecosystems, especially coral reefs, in protected areas near the town of Bayahibe: Catalina Island Natural Monument, La Punta de Bayahibe Natural Monument, National Park Cotubanamá and Guaraguao-Punta Catuano National Recreation Area.
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ARRECIFES DEL SURESTE MARINE SANCTUARY
(SOUTH ZONE)
In the Tourist Destination of La Romana (Rio Soco, San Pedro de Macorís, to Boca De Yuma), FUNDEMAR, together with the association of Hotels, the Tourism Cluster and government entities, works for the good environmental management of the Destination. Within this framework, the recently signed Co-Management of the Arrecifes del Sureste Sanctuary, on February 23, 2018.
The Arrecifes del Sureste Marine Sanctuary is a natural reserve created by Decree 571-09 whose purpose is to conserve the natural habitat and the special environments that are formed along the continental shelf of the southeast of the Island of Hispaniola. The protected area, the second largest in the country, has an area of 7,862.59 km2 and goes from the Mona Canal (east of Cabo Engaño) to the existing marine portion south of the mouth of the Higuamo River, a meeting and home to numerous marine species.
Being the second largest protected area in extension in the Dominican Republic, the works will be divided into two areas of incidence, one to the East and the other to the South. Two non-profit foundations will implement the activities defined each year by the co-management council, who will be in charge of monitoring the performance of these organizations.
The environmental activities of the eastern part of the Sanctuary will be implemented by the “Alianza Arrecifes del Este”, a non-profit entity formed by the Association of Hotels and Tourism Projects of the Eastern Zone, the Association of Providers of Aquatic Services of the Province La Altagracia, the Puntacana Group Foundation, the La Altagracia Province Tourism Cluster and the International Blue Finance Association.
While in the southern part of the Sanctuary, the works will be carried out by the “Consorcio Arrecifes del Sur”, an entity formed by FUNDEMAR, Central Romana Corporation Ltd, the Association of Hotels of Romana Bayahibe, the Tourism Cluster of La Romana Bayahibe, and the International Blue Finance Association.
The main purpose of the agreement is to ensure effective management and sustainable financing for the Sanctuary. The expected benefits for the nation are the conservation and restoration of the country's marine biodiversity, improving its tourist attraction, creating new jobs and opportunities in the ecotourism sector, offering alternatives to unsustainable fishing, and providing resilience against climate change.
