Rural Fishermen Entrusted to Manage Pristine Caribbean Shoreline to Safeguard Their Fish and Future | Rare

On March 28, 2025, Santa Rosa de Aguán, with approval from the Institute for Forestry Conservation (ICF), signed the municipal ordinance for the Santa Rosa de Aguán Site of Importance for Wildlife — a new marine protected area co-managed by local communities. “This declaration is a commitment to the well-being of our people,” said the Mayor of Santa Rosa de Aguán, Heber Flores. “By protecting the resources that sustain us—fishing and agriculture—we’re securing a future of dignity, resilience, and opportunity for our communities.”