¿What
is the Friends of Cocos Island Foundation
(FAICO)?
Friends
of Cocos Island Foundation (FAICO) which
was created in 1994 under the laws of the
Republic of Costa Rica is an independent,
proactive, non-profit, apolitical and multi-sectorial
organization, which is committed to the
long-term management, protection and conservation
of the Cocos Island National Marine Park,
World Natural Heritage Site (UNESCO 1997)
and Wetlands of International Importance
(RAMSAR 1998).
Currently,
the Board of Directors of the Friends of
Cocos Island Foundation is composed of distinguished
members of the business, scientific and
governmental sectors of our country, who
have placed their commitment and experience
at the disposition of FAICO, with a desire
to contribute to the consolidation of the
conservation and protection of Cocos island,
which is a World Heritage Marine Sanctuary.
The diverse preparation and experience of
the board members has enriched the various
projects and proposals relating to Cocos
Island.
Due to
its outstanding and unique natural characteristics,
the Costa Rican government established the
Cocos Island National Park in 1978, which
was later recognized as the core area of
the Cocos Island Marine Protected Area.
The United Nations Organization for Education,
Science and Culture (UNESCO) registered
it as a World Natural Heritage Site in 1997
and in 1998 it was also recognized as a
Wetland of International Importance under
the Ramsar Convention.
It is also the core area of the Cocos Island
Bioregion, with boundaries defined in 1999
and considered a priority area for marine
conservation by The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
For the abovementioned reasons, The Board
of Advisors of Friends of Cocos Island Foundation
is established with the purpose of coordinating
efforts directed towards the management
and preservation of this exceptional natural
treasure which is made up of 24 terrestrial
km2 and 1997 km2 of marine ecosystems protected
under the bylaws of the Costa Rican National
Park System (MINAE/SINAC).
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