Marine protected areas in Colombia: A historical review of legal marine protection since the late 1960 s to 2023

Abstract

This study examines Colombia's legal framework for marine conservation, focusing on its historical developments and progress toward international conservation goals. It analyzes Colombia's unique approach to creating protected areas, beginning with land-based conservation in the late 1960 s and later expanding to coastal and marine areas to evaluate the current marine protection status. The methodologic framework used a map-based approach using the Marine Conservation Atlas (MPAtlas) and the National Unique Register of Protected Areas (RUNAP), which provides detailed information, including the level of protection and size of MPAs. The study emphasizes the importance of community involvement in the implementation and management processes of marine protected areas and recommends evaluating existing Marine Protected Areas against new pressures on the ocean and advancing ecosystem-based ocean management. The article highlights Colombia's success in meeting Aichi Target 11, which aimed to protect 10% of the world's oceans by 2020, and the need for more harmonized legal frameworks and improved management of conservation standards across existing MPAs. The study identifies several challenges facing marine conservation policies in Colombia, including the lack of adequate evaluation mechanisms, corruption, internal conflicts, and limited impact of scientific research on policy implementation. Finally, it highlights the need for a simplified classification system based on conservation objectives, natural characteristics, and allowed uses and activities, following the international standardization proposed by the IUCN.