Towards joint integrated, ecosystem-based management of the Pacific Central American Coastal Large Marine Ecosystem (PACA) Segundo Coello

Pacific Central American Coastal Large Marine Ecosystem (PACA) From southern Mexico to the Gulf of Guayaquil 199,665,900 ha of coastal and marine habitats 20,853,000 ha of continental shelf (ca., 10.4% of the total area) Nine countries share PACA (from north to south): Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panamá, Colombia, Ecuador High value biodiversity (sea turtles, humpback whales, sharks) Important fisheries (tuna, large pelagic fish, billfishes, shrimp, mangrove cockles) Major shipping routes Pacific Central American Coastal Large Marine Ecosystem (PACA)

Pollution from land-based and marine sources The PACA project Objective: To promote ecosystem-based management of the Pacific-Central American Large Marine Ecosystem through the strengthening of regional governance. Outcomes: Common understanding of the regional LME challenges and opportunities supported by the participant countries [TDA] Collaborative framework and governance arrangements adopted by the participating countries to implement PACA´s SAP Tangible impacts generated in demonstrative pilot interventions implemented to contribute to the development and buy-in of the SAP and to decision making on prioritized topics in the region. [Pilots Marine Spatial Planning & Regional plan for conservation and management of billfishes] Collaborative information system developed with key indicators on PACA´s condition and SAP implementation Lessons on collaborative actions to manage PACA shared in the region and worldwide (south-south cooperation). Key issues Pollution from land-based and marine sources Degradation of coastal and marine habitats Overuse of fishery resources Impacts of climate change Nonexistence of collaborative arrangements to sustain ecosystem-based management of the large marine ecosystem