Ministry triples extension of the El Morro Mangrove Wildlife Refuge

More than 25,000 hectares were added to the Manglares El Morro Wildlife Refuge, in Guayas, expanding the extension of the protected area from 10,130 to a total of 35,373 hectares for conservation, tourism and sustainable usereported the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition of Ecuador in a statement.

The Commonwealth of Fishing Associations of Puerto El Morro for the Conservation of Mangroves and their Fishing Resources” and the Decentralized Autonomous Government (GAD) El Morro were the ones that requested the extension.

The extension seeks to guarantee the conservation of the mangroves in the area, collection sites for bio-aquatic resources such as red crab and concha prieta, the main economic activity of the inhabitants of nearby communities.

What’s more, they want to strengthen the protection of distinguished species such as bottlenose dolphins and frigatebirds (the population of the latter is one of the largest on the Pacific coast of South America) and promote sustainable tourism.

“For the Government of the Meeting, the protection of the environment and the development of the communities are priorities. The expansion of the El Morro Mangrove Refuge ensures resources for artisanal fishermen and improves the conditions for sustainable tourism, which in turn promotes the revitalization of the local economy, the generation of jobs and security,” said Gustavo Manrique, Minister of Atmosphere.

For his part, Santiago Morales, representative of the association, thanked the support and work carried out by the Ministry: “This expansion commits us to assume greater responsibility in the protection and conservation of mangroves and the good administration of resources. His presence here is a sign of the authorities’ concern not only for the protected territory but also for us and his staff, who work together day by day”.

Conservation International supported the process of redelimiting the protected area. (I)