CAF, CIM Caribe Foundation and Conservation International to collaborate for coral reef restoration

As part of its commitment to preserve biodiversity and advance actions for financing the ocean conservation, CAF—development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean—and the Caribbean Marine Research Center Foundation (CIM Caribe), sister organization of the Santa Marta Aquarium, are set to join efforts to design programs and strategies to preserve and foster health of the oceans, their biodiversity, and ecosystem services in Colombia and the Caribbean, particularly the protection of threatened species including turtles, coral restoration, control of the invasive lionfish species, and environmental education for our children and youth. The event took place at the 'Mundo Marino' Aquarium in Santa Marta, the ideal setting to sign this important commitment.

The collaboration framework between both organizations was established in a Memorandum of Understanding, aimed at developing joint projects and actions that foster the restoration of strategic marine ecosystems, protection of endangered species, control and comprehensive management of invasive species, and raising awareness and advancing environmental literacy actions.

Moreover, CAF provided technical cooperation to the Conservation International Foundation to boost coral reef restoration initiatives in the Caribbean region (Colombia, Mexico, and Costa Rica) and in the Equatorial region (Ecuador), as a climate change adaptation strategy through nature-based solutions.

This partnership will advance existing initiatives and coral restoration pilot projects, through financial and technical assistance, in two countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Ecuador). Proposals include also an action plan for the restoration of coral reefs in Latin America and the Caribbean, which improves regional cooperation and mobilization of funds.

Regarding these partnerships, CAF Executive President Sergio Díaz-Granados said: "This agreement and technical cooperation are part of our vision to become the green and blue bank of the region. We underpin initiatives that mitigate climate change and foster sustainable development, thus creating synergies to invest in and contribute to the oceanic and socioeconomic health in the region. These initiatives are under both commitments and we are confident that, together with the CIM Caribe Foundation and Conservation International, we will help improve the conditions of marine ecosystems.

The Santa Marta Aquarium will be the main target of the collaboration, with a USD 70,000 investment for the refurbishment of a coral reproduction laboratory as a climate change adaptation measure. Here we will share experiences with Ecuador, Costa Rica and Mexico.

As part of this activity, we released ten green turtles (Chelonia mydas), two loggerhead turtles (Caretta), and two nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) after a conservation and rehabilitation process.

The CIM Caribe Foundation is a non-profit organization with the purpose of providing, at no cost for the community, research and study activities in preservation, repopulation, restoration, and recovery of marine ecosystems and associated species.

The Conservation International (CI) Foundation is a leading NGO in global environmental conservation projects. Since 1987, Conservation International has worked to underscore and secure the critical benefits that nature provides to humanity. Combining field work with innovations in science, policies, and finance, CI has helped protect more than 6 million square kilometers (2.3 million square miles) of land and sea in over 70 countries. With a truly global reach, it is present today in 29 countries and boasts 2,000 partners worldwide.