COLOMBIA  The Republic of Colombia is located at the northwestern of South America  Thanks to its geographical position, Colombia has coastlines on both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans  Colombia has Continental borders line with Venezuela to the east, southeast with Brazil, Peru and Ecuador to the south, and Panama to the northwest.  The country is divided among 32 departments with their municipalities  Capital: Santa Fe de Bogota  Money: Colombian Peso

Colombia is recognized worldwide for the production of coffee, flowers, emeralds, coal and oil, and its cultural diversity

One of the richest countries in biodiversity in the world

1,815 species of birds recorded

Approximately 1,200 species of marine fish and 1,600 species of freshwater

3,000 families and 14 species of butterflies

222 species of snakes

There are 30 species of primates

First in species of amphibians

There are 456 species of mammals reported to Colombia that set the country in the fourth place worldwide in diversity of these

Colombia has between 40,000 and 45,000 species of plants

10% total area of Caribbean= – km2

 It´s about 775 km (480 miles) northwest of Colombia and 220 km (140 miles) from the coast of Nicaragua  Three main islands  20 keys approximately  Surface 52,5 km2  San Andres ( inhabitants) Providence and Santa Catalina ( inhabitants)  Languages: Spanish, English and Creole Archipelago of San Andres, Old Providence and Santa Catalina

 Old providence: 20 minutes from San Andres by airplane  Providence and Santa Catalina joined by a bridge

San Andres Of coral origin

Providence and Santa Catalina of volcanic origin

 In the islands of San Andres, Providence and Santa Catalina are the three most important marine ecosystems of the tropics, coral reefs, sea grasses and mangroves.  The Archipelago has the 78% of reef area in the country. More than 85 species of coral and 100 species of sponges.  It has the extensive barrier reef in Colombia, Providence is one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

 More than 270 species of fish.  4 of turtles.  More than 180 species of birds including migratory, endemic residents.  Dry tropical forest

 In the year 2000 the Archipelago was declared Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).  Seaflower Biosphere Reserve)  In the year 2005 it was declared Marine Protected Area

Corporation for the Sustainable Development of the Archipelago of San Andres, Providence and Santa Catalina

 The Ministry of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development is the entity responsible of the Environment in Colombia  By Act 99 of 1993 it gives particular importance to Autonomous Regional Corporations (Regional offices responsible for managing local environmental resources)  It is the only Corporation in the country with jurisdiction over the sea  The jurisdiction covers the whole Archipelago of San Andres, Providence and Santa Catalina, a territory with an extensive marine area and a small portion of land

Starts on June 30, 1995 We have a main office in the island of San Andres, an office in Providence, an environmental laboratory and two documentation centers Coralina has 52 direct employees and every year it is hire between 50 to 70 person to develop special projects

CORALINA’s mission is to manage, protect and recuperate the environment on the Archipelago, through the application of appropriate technologies, involving the community to reach consensus and an active participation from all stakeholders, to achieve better life-standards for all inhabitants.

It has a directive board composed of 14 members as follows: LEVELREPRESENTATIVE National (4)1 Rep. President of the Republic, 1 Rep. MAVDT, Dir. INVEMAR, Dir. DIMAR Local official (4)Governor, Agriculture and Fisheries Section, Planning Department, Mayor of Providence Local Civil Society (6) 1 Rep. Economic Sector; 1 Rep. artisan production guild, 1 Rep. environmental NGOs; y 3 Rep. Raizal community (2=SAI y 1=OPSC).

CORALINA´S functions Lead Regional environmental planning Issue Regional and environmental regulations Issue permits approvals, licenses, concessions,environmental viability for the use and exploitation of natural resources Make control and environmental monitoring Work with the community to promote sustainable development in the region

Why is our Seaflower MPA important at the national and international levels? It is the first of the type in the country: Multiple Use The largest in the Caribbean and the 7th worldwide. It represents the % of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve

Which are the objectives of our Seaflower MPAs? Preserve biodiversity and allow ecosystems functioning in the long term. Promote environmentally friendly practices and human activities that enhance the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.

Objectives of our Seaflower MPAs Identify and promote alternative livelihoods and ways to increase the income of the affected users. Recognize and maintain the traditional islander culture and increase the sense of belonging. Better the MPA management through inter-institutional cooperation, education, strengthening of leadership and community participation.

How is the Seaflower MPA divided? South Section : includes San Andrés, E.S.E. Cays & S.S.W. Cays. Central Section: includes Old Providence & Santa Catalina islands. North Section : Queena and the atolls of Roncador & Serinas. The MPA is % Seaflower Biosphere Reserve

Which are the tools and strategies for the protection of our Seaflower MPA? Environmental Education: Encourage the local communities and tourists to change attitudes that will allow the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources of the Seaflower MPA.

Tools and strategies for the protection of our Seaflower MPA Sustainable Livelihoods: Productive practices compatible with the objectives of the MPA that improve conservation and produce economic benefits to the community.

Tools and strategies for the protection of our Seaflower MPA Marker Buoys: these are in the No Entry, No Take and Special Use zones to mark the limits of each one of these zones Mooring Buoys: these are around the principal islands where there is more scuba diving activities.

Tools and strategies for the protection of our Seaflower MPA Marker Buoys: No Entry, No Take and special Use Zones

Which are the challenges of our Seaflower MPA? Demarcation and implementation of the 100 % of the zones and sections of the MPA Maintenance of the whole system Inter-institutional collaboration Community participation, collaboration and ownership

In the year 2010, CORALINA was given a World Award for Best Biodiversity Action. This award was given by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the Japanese city of Nagoya

Our “Seaflower” MPA and Biosphere Reserve needs our cooperative efforts for its effective implementation. It depends on the will, work with love of ALL THANKS