10 magnets featuring the marine species of the Island can be found at the check-out counters in Más x Menos, Palí, Hipermás and Maxi Bodega.

San Jose, Costa Rica –2 June 2009– Wal Mart Centroamérica in Costa Rica and the Friends of Cocos Island Foundation (FAICO) launched the second edition of the campaign “Sticking to the Island”, to raise funds to preserve and protect the Cocos Island National Park, World Heritage Site and one of the country’s greatest natural treasures.

This year the campaign features 10 collectable magnets in the shapes of the marine species living around the Island. The magnets will be available to customers for ¢300 each at Más X Menos, Palí, Hipermás and Maxi Bodega check-outs between 1 June and 31 July.

“Last year we were able to donate $100,000 (about ¢52 million) to the Friends of Cocos Island Foundation (FAICO) resulting from the “Sticking to the Island” campaign and thanks to the support of our customers to this National Sanctuary. This year we hope to match the figure and we call on all Costa Ricans to buy the magnets and contribute to Cocos Island National Park”, said Yolanda Fernández, Corporate Affairs Manager for Wal-Mart Centroamérica in Costa Rica.

Fernández said these initiatives promoted by Wal-Mart Centroamérica are part of the vision to reduce the environmental impact of the operation and promote the sustainability of resources; along these lines, 60% of the fresh marine products sold at Wal-Mart Centroamérica’s various are farmed, in order to reduce pressure on the oceans and all billfish species were eliminated from their assortment.

In 2008 the campaign consisted in the sale of 8 different stickers with images of the marine species living around Cocos Island, as well as the collector’s album.

“Last year, thanks to the contributions of all Costa Ricans and the Wal-Mart chain, we delivered a vessel valued at ¢30 million that has strengthened patrols and control over the Island, and we hope this second phase of the campaign will be equal or better than last year’s, for the benefit of the Island”, said Mario Carvajal, President of FAICO.

In the 15 years since it was founded, FAICO has contributed in several ways to the protection of Cocos Island National Park, the most recent when it retrofitted the “Cocos Patrol” at a cost of over ¢12 million; in addition, it developed workshops, theater presentations and conferences for over 2,300 children, in order to educate and raise their awareness regarding the importance of protecting and preserving this natural treasure.

In addition, in recent years FAICO contributed to improving the quality of life of the park rangers, providing them with uniforms and equipment that enabled better performance in their daily tasks. Progress has also been made in specialized research to protect waters adjacent to the island and in strengthening the trust to ensure the financial sustainability of the Park.

“We have made progress in these past few years but there is still a lot to do and a short time to do it; that is why we call on people to join in this campaign and buy the magnets featuring 10 marine species found in Cocos Island”, Carvajal added.