In the heart of the Eastern Tropical Pacific stretches a living marine corridor, a vast expanse where migratory sea turtles, sharks, schools of tuna, and vibrant coral reefs converge. This is the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR)—a biodiversity hotspot that links the protected waters of Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. Rich in life and essential to local communities, CMAR is both a global conservation treasure and a critical resource for regional economies.

But protecting such an expansive and dynamic region is no small task. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing often threatens these waters, slipping through fragmented enforcement systems and limited monitoring resources. Recognizing this challenge, since 2023, the four CMAR countries have joined forces to collaborate with key partners and launch a regional monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) project, funded by the Bezos Earth Fund, coordinated by PACÍFICO and supported by the Joint Analytical Cell (JAC), WildAid and OceanMind.

Collaboration Across Borders

This CMAR project is designed to do more than just deploy new tools. It sets out to strengthen national and regional capacity by improving information-sharing, harmonizing enforcement practices, and equipping authorities with the means to act decisively. Environmental, fisheries, port, and maritime security agencies are working together and further enhancing their collaboration—bridging silos and coordinating across borders to protect their shared marine ecosystems.

Ultimately, the goal is to create the conditions necessary for the long-term conservation of biodiversity, while sustaining the fisheries that local communities and economies rely on.

Credit: Amanda Cotton / Ocean Image Bank (Cocos Islands, Costa Rica)

The role of the JAC - turning data into impact

As part of this collaboration, JAC brings a unique blend of data, analysis, and training to the table.

“Our primary role is to provide data and analysis to the project, but we are also heavily involved in training and mentoring,” explains Joe Fader, a fisheries analyst at Global Fishing Watch and member of the JAC. “We have contributed key technical expertise, supported the design and implementation of information exchanges with partner countries, and provided intelligence support in specific cases of alleged illegal fishing. The JAC team is available to support up to 16 case investigations throughout the project—seven have already been supported—as well as regional patrols and operations at sea.”

This blend of practical support and technical guidance is helping authorities shift from reactive monitoring to proactive, intelligence-led governance. Instead of missing violations, CMAR countries are now better equipped to detect suspicious activity, investigate it with reliable data, and take enforcement action when necessary.

Case in point - Panama

One recent success story comes from Panama, where JAC analysis of vessel monitoring system (VMS) data revealed longline vessels likely operating illegally in the Cordillera de Coiba Marine Protected Area. High-resolution optical satellite imagery, accessed through Skylight’s automated tasking tool and provided by Vantor (formerly Maxar), confirmed the presence of 16 fishing vessels. For the first time, such satellite evidence was incorporated into a formal sanctioning process.

The outcome: Panama’s Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) imposed fines on vessels following an interagency operation between the Ministry of Environment, ARAP and National Aeronaval Service (SENAN). This case is now a model for how intelligence and stakeholder coordination can directly drive enforcement outcomes.

Building trust and capacity

Beyond individual cases, JAC’s contribution is about building something that stands the test of time.

“The project also aims to develop procedures that will improve cooperation between CMAR countries. This is an important part of establishing frameworks for communication, information exchange, coordination of surveillance operations, and joint case management”, says Vivian Quiros, MCS Specialist in Latin America with JAC member, IMCS Network. “Activities such as this will represent a tangible legacy of the project and serve as a practical guide for the continued operation of the regional MCS system.”

Already, authorities across the four countries are taking ownership—integrating JAC tools into their own reports and investigations, requesting analyses through the Mesa de Apoyo help desk, and even expressing their interest in having the JAC continue supporting and collaborating with Panama's new Center for the Coordination, Monitoring, Preservation and Protection of the Marine and Coastal Ecosystem, inaugurated in September 2025.

“It’s all about building lasting capacity and trust across borders,” says Fader. “We want CMAR countries to have the tools, knowledge, and collaboration needed to manage their marine resources effectively and on their own terms. That means institutionalizing training, developing standard operating procedures, and strengthening regional coordination to sustain this work in the future. It’s not just about solving problems; it’s about building something that lasts.”

Using a ‘train the trainer’ approach, national technical teams are also applying the methodologies from the JAC’s MCS Curriculum and replicating this knowledge within their own institutions. This will strengthen technical self-sufficiency and ensure the long-term sustainability of knowledge at the regional level.

Next steps

The MCS work in CMAR is moving into a more structured and coordinated stage, and the progress is clear: more collaboration, smarter enforcement, and stronger institutions. With solid foundations now in place, the region is better prepared to safeguard its marine biodiversity and the livelihoods it supports.

“The Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) is one of the most valuable treasures of our region due to its great biodiversity and impact on local economies”, says Jair Urriola Quiroz, Executive Secretary of CMAR.

“Protecting it is a shared responsibility that demands cooperation, innovation, and increasingly intelligent surveillance. This is why the joint work we are carrying out with the support of Pacifico Foundation, the Joint Analytical Cell (JAC), WildAid, and OceanMind, represents a historic step forward for CMAR. We are strengthening our national and regional capacities, harmonizing monitoring procedures, and creating information-sharing mechanisms that are already delivering concrete results in the fight against illegal fishing.”

As JAC and its partners continue this journey, one thing is certain - protecting the Eastern Tropical Pacific’s marine highway will require both innovation and cooperation. Together, CMAR countries are proving that it can be done.