Autor: ecoceano

SUMMARY The lack of regulation in the monitoring of shark trade by species is a major challenge that Colombia shares with several countries in the world, mainly due to the difficulties to identify at the species level, using the shark parts traded (dried fins, meat and processed). To address these conservation and management problems, in the present study we applied a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with species-specific primers based on the ITS2 ribosomal region. In addition, we characterized the shark meat trade in the wholesale market of the city of Quibdó, Colombia, which functions as a collection center for the trade of this product. Results based on the identification of tissues by multiplex PCR reveal that the trade is composed of at least two species. Oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) and pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus). A total of 93.26% (n=138) of the samples analyzed corresponded to species listed in one of the IUCN threat categories. The molecular technique applied in this study has proven to be reliable, fast and useful for the identification of shark species, making it a key tool for strengthening traceability systems and the chain of custody of shark products. KEYWORDS: CONSERVATION, TRADE, GENETIC IDENTIFICATION, QUIBDÓ, ITS2, PCR MULTIPLEX, SHARKS, IUCN.

In 2021, the ECOCEANOS Corporation works in agreement with the Zenú indigenous community, located in the reservations of San Andrés de Sotavento, Colombia. This project aimed to include renewable energies for the mitigation of the effects of climate change, in the indigenous reservation that is home to 500 families, located 2 km from the Colombian Atlantic coast. The indigenous reservation is plagued by problems of basic needs; Among them, having electricity, vital to have access to social, professional and cultural opportunities. The ECOCEANOS Corporation and the University of the Caribbean carry out the installation of 50 photovoltaic kits to benefit 50 artisan indigenous mothers, thus having access to sewing machines for fabric manufacturing, hat making and also being able to cook in electric stoves in favor of the environment. This project impacts the community significantly, providing decent work opportunities (micro-enterprises) and capacity to participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of sustainable policies and measures aimed at combating climate change.

RESUMEThis plan is a pioneer in the conservation of 3 species of sharks: ‘Carcharhinus porosus’, ‘Carcharhinus longimanus’ and ‘Sphyrna lewini’. On the Colombian Atlantic coast, a 58% reduction in the biomass of sharks and rays has been identified between 1970 and 2007 (García et al., 2007). We have registered a progressive decrease over time of the landing volumes and reduction in the average catch sizes, and in the insular zone of the Caribbean (Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina) a strong fishery aimed at the extraction of these organisms, which captured mostly juvenile individuals (Castro-González and BallesterosGalvis, 2018). Despite this evidence of deterioration in elasmobranch populations, their extraction patterns have been poorly documented in Colombia. Additionally, it has been diagnosed that there is a clear deficiency of knowledge in different biological and ecological aspects that are relevant for the conservation and management of the species of sharks of species ‘Carcharhinus porosus’, ‘Carcharhinus longimanus’ and ‘Sphyrna lewini’. The panorama described above and the need for the countries of the world to generate their own strategies for the ordering of cartilaginous fish, leads ECOCEANOS CORPORATION to formulate the National Action Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (PAN-Tiburones Colombia). This plan is a pioneer in including management and conservation proposals for sharks in Colombia.This is a national proposal in accordance with the regional particularity of the geographical areas of the Colombian Atlantic coast, differentiated by the fishing carried out in each one of them, the established fishing communities and the species of sharks and rays associated in the catches. The Action Plan is supported by the previous diagnostic document, consigned in this document. Finally, the Action Plan is structured in such a way that it covers investigative, legal and governance issues, surveillance and control, education and dissemination, management and conservation strategies, and a phase of permanent evaluation of progress in related activities and adjustments of the same Plan over time. Keywords: Smalltail Shark, Oceanic Whitetip Shark, Scalloped Hammerhead Shark; Zenú indigenouscommunity; sustainable fishing, extinction.

RESUMENRay populations in the Colombian Pacific are being decimated to the point of extermination. The three species of giant rays are targeted by small indigenous Emberá fishermen: Giant Manta Ray (Mobula birostris), Bentfin Devilray (Mobula thurstoni) and Sicklefin Devilray (Mobula tarapacana). Poaching of sea rays off the Colombian Pacific coast is still rampant, but today, instead of traveling with nets, poachers simply buy live rays stored by local (Emberá indigenous) fishermen who hide them on remote islands or in mangrove streams. Because rays need to breathe, poachers keep them in locally constructed rectangular fish cages of floating drums and wood, with nets suspended in the middle, or tied or chained directly to coral in shallow water. The costs and resources required to survey this vast area are prohibitive for local enforcement agencies and logistically complex.Through this plan, we seek the comprehensive protection of 3 species of rays by strengthening the conservation capacities of the Emberá indigenous community, with conservation, education, sustainability and communication strategies.The end result will be an increase in the conservation status of the three targeted ray species through population growth and mitigation of threats to this species on the Colombian Pacific coast.Key words: Ray populations, Colombian Pacific coast, protected marina area, Emberá indigenous community.

SUMMARYBased on an ecoregional planning exercise for the selection of priority conservation sites in the Colombian Caribbean and the qualification of ecological criteria, the ECOCEANOS Corporation identified Punta Commissioner on the coast of Colombia as a potential site for the establishment of a marine protected area (MPA). This area presents a mosaic of marine and coastal ecosystems that cover countless fish, planktonic, benthic communities and species that, together with the environment, constitute an area of high heterogeneity and unique biodiversity in the department of Sucre, Colombia. The purpose of this work was to design an MPA in agreement with the Zenú indigenous community that inhabit the coasts of San Onofre, based on the evaluation of ecological criteria, conservation objectives and proposed management; postulating a management category within the current National System of Protected Areas (SINAP). Therefore, based on secondary information and following The Nature Conservancy’s methodological scheme for “Five S Scheme” site planning, five coarsely filtered conservation objects (OCs) or habitats were identified: coral formations, phanerogam meadows, sandy beaches, rocky coastline and mangrove forests. White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), which are in danger of extinction, their presence is conditioned to high water tables and exchange of fresh and saline water, other species present are: Zaragoza (Conocarpus erecta), Smoke mangrove (Avicennia germinans). In the area we also find fish; such as sawfish (Pristis pectinata), tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), guasa grouper (Epinephelus itajara), which are critically endangered. A feasibility analysis was developed for each object finding the area in a good state of biodiversity health. The analysis of criteria, the feasibility and the definition of the management objectives of the area allowed to postulate the management category “National Natural Park” as the most appropriate for the area. On the other hand, from a systematized process and with the help of a decision support system (SSD) called MARXAN (University of Queensland), three intangible zones were identified with which the minimum protection of 30% coverage of each of the objects is guaranteed, as an initial contribution to the internal zoning of the MPA. Key words: Marine Protected Areas, Gulf of Morrosquillo, Biodiversity, MARXAN, National Natural Park.

This study addresses the marine restoration of 65Km2 of mangrove forests, on the Colombian Atlantic coast. These ecosystems are very complex with multiple ecological functions and high economic value. They are also ecosystems that are subject to various negative impacts, which is causing their disappearance at an annual rate that ranges between 5 and 15%. One of the most negative impacts is generated by the spillage of construction waste with its consequent damaging effect on several of its subsystems: trees, associated fauna, microorganisms (aerobic and anaerobic), soil and water. This study offers a discussion of the most up-to-date results on bioremediation with reforestation with red mangrove trees (Rhizophora mangle) and mangrove oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) pollution of mangroves by spills of construction waste from the increase of infrastructure for tourism in the coasts of the departments of Sucre and Cordoba. Likewise, we review and discuss the various bioremediation, phytoremediation and restoration strategies that allow us to provide a response in the short and medium term. Most of the coasts contaminated with pollution residue, generate acidic pH, bleach corals, and the sediment liquids marine biodiversity. In order to accelerate the restoration process, biostimulation (addition of nutrients or degradation-stimulating compounds) and bioaugmentation (addition of microbial strains with special attributes to degrade pollutants) have been investigated. Another limiting factor for the degradation of construction waste to occur in mangrove sediments is the lack of oxygen. The most current information indicates that the biostimulation strategy, complemented with aeration, is one of the best treatment options. Keywords: construction waste, biostimulation, bioaugmentation, natural attenuation, biodegradation, tourism, mangroves, oysters.

RESUMEIn the present study carried out in 2022, it was characterized by evidencing the environmental impact on aquatic ecosystems of the use of herbicides such as glyphosate, which is largely used to eradicate illicit crops in Colombia. In the research, the Ecoceanos Corporation managed to characterize the poor state of health in 4 species of fish and 3 species of mangroves. Physiognomic aspects of the forest and its health index were evaluated. 78 interviews were conducted with people who are part of Indigenous Zenú communities in the settlements near the areas studied on the Island of Barú, Bolívar – Colombia to evaluate the knowledge and community behavior about the mangroves and fish that were part of their food and economy. It was identified in the mangroves sedimentation of residues, Arboreal degradation, high salinity and decrease of nutrients, in the species of fish investigated we evidenced signs of toxicity and mortality. In response to this study, the Ecoceanos Corporation was able to determine mitigation and restoration strategies for the affected ecosystems to carry out impact projects that improve the community conditions of the Zenú Indigenous Communities. Keywords: Keywords: Glyphosate, fumigation, Illicit crops, Ecosystems, Mangroves, Environment.

SUMMARY This project aimed to intervene a process of reforestation through the planting of 2 species of trees that are in critical danger due to climate change and human activity, so the ECOCEANOS corporation carried out this project in order to recover part of the tropical dry forest located in the municipality of Momil,  corregimiento of Córdoba, Colombia, improving the socioeconomic conditions of the Zenú indigenous community present there, which have been for years settlements of scarce resources that subsist on what is produced by nature for the maintenance of livelihoods, the production of food, handicrafts, fishing and tourism. The project “CONSERVATION PROJECT FOR 2 ENDANGERED SPECIES OF TREES IN MOMIL COLOMBIA” began in 2014 by the ECOCEANOS corporation with the help of the Zenú de Momil indigenous community which was the main influenced in order to intervene in the process of urban deforestation and recover tropical dry forests, while improving the socio-economic conditions of families. The project was completed in 2018 in the company of local staff, hired and trained by community leaders through resident associations, with the aim of increasing job opportunities in the areas affected by the initiative. KEY WORDS: Water resource, climate change, environmental damage, biodiversity, native plants, reforestation, community.

The purpose of this plan was to define mitigation and adaptation strategies against climate change of approximately 50 km of beaches and 860 hectares of land and thus promote adaptation processes that reduce vulnerabilities and promote the resilience of socio-ecological systems in the coastal area of the departments of Sucre and Córdoba (Gulf of Morrosquillo),  area close to indigenous communities such as the Zenúes. Coastal erosion is considered one of the problems with the greatest impact on both indigenous communities and marine ecosystems in Sucre, about 20 km of beaches have been lost in the Gulf of Morrosquillo thanks to erosion mainly due to human causes. The urban, industrial, residential, tourist, aquaculture, road and port infrastructure that was built in the coastal beach-dune system, generated various impacts, from the alteration of a part of its structure, to its total loss. Constructions are obstacles that interrupt or divert the flow of water and sediment, which modifies the sedimentary balance. The decrease in the availability of sediment and the interruption of natural transport between the coastal dunes and the beach favors processes of erosion and retreat of the coastline. Through this plan that had a duration of 3 years, we encouraged the protection and planting of coastal vegetation of 50 km of beach impacting about 860 hectares of the Zenú indigenous territory; that benefits 400 families by enabling their resilience to climate change. protecting the dunes that constitute natural deposits of beach sands. At the same time we created an education plan for institutions on the main causes of erosion and other effects of climate change in indigenous communities of the coast through informative, promotional and testimonial talks, we created educational projects for the transfer of good practices where a work team composed of science teachers, biologists, employees of the municipal administration and experienced fishermen. We also assess the conservation status of the species that are victims of this effect, and thus record their populations on the biodiversity conservation red lists. We have the support of the Zenú indigenous community.