UNESCO warns Panama port threatens World Heritage site

Coiba National Park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to 760 species of marine fish, 33 shark species, and 20 species of cetaceans. Its forests also provide a last refuge for threatened species like the crested eagle and support a significant population of scarlet macaws. The park's unique ecosystems are a result of its isolation, which has allowed for the evolution of endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. The proposed Puerto Barú is a $250 million private investment intended to create a multipurpose port for cargo, tourism, and a logistics park. The project is expected to generate over 1,200 direct jobs during its operational phase. However, to accommodate large vessels, the project requires dredging a 31-kilometer navigation channel, a process that stirs up sediment and can increase water turbidity, potentially harming marine habitats. Environmental groups have raised significant alarms about the port's location, which is near a protected area containing 25% of Panama's mangroves. An independent analysis by the Conservation Strategy Fund estimated the project could cause between $29.6 million and $32 million in environmental damage over 20 years. These groups argue that the developer's Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is flawed and doesn't adequately address the risks of dredging and increased vessel traffic. A coalition of over 50 environmental organizations is actively campaigning to have the port relocated to a less ecologically sensitive area, such as Puerto Armuelles, which a 2004 government-funded study identified as a viable alternative. The campaign, "No to Puerto Barú," highlights the threat to the mangroves, which serve as crucial breeding grounds for sharks, rays, and other marine life. The dispute has escalated to the legal system, with six environmental groups filing a lawsuit with Panama's Supreme Court to nullify the project's EIS. In response, the port's developer, Ocean Pacific Financial Services Corp., has filed civil and criminal lawsuits against two of the environmental organizations for alleged defamation, resulting in a court-ordered seizure of their assets and bank accounts. Panama's Environment Minister, Juan Carlos Navarro, has publicly questioned the project's environmental impact and expressed concern over the developer's legal actions against the non-governmental organizations, stating that it "does not contribute to the national dialogue." Meanwhile, the government also recently announced the addition of 300 new park rangers and the construction of a new scientific station to enhance the protection of Coiba National Park. The developer maintains that Puerto Barú will be Panama's first "green port" and that they are committed to sustainability, with their approved EIS including a comprehensive environmental management plan. They argue that the primary threat to the mangroves is not the port but inadequate management of the existing ecosystem. This is not the first time UNESCO has expressed concerns over Coiba. The World Heritage Committee has previously warned Panama about the potential of placing the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to threats from illegal fishing and development pressures.