Community Engagement

Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve

Found on the north Pacific's Nicoya Peninsula, Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco (RNACB) became Costa Rica's first terrestrial protected area in 1963 (12.7km²). In 1982, it was expanded to include 1km of shoreline ocean to create the country's first MPA (16.68km²), with its main objectives to protect marine diversity and providing a refuge to nesting seabirds.

Costa Rica's only site listed as an IUCN 1a strict nature reserve, RNACB is protected under the strictest management category, which does not permit fishing and controls human visitation and activities, enforced by the Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC). In 2017, Cabo Blanco marine management area (MMA) was added to the reserve, covering a further 828.18km².

Iguana Divers work closely with the SINAC park rangers and support their protection of the reserve, including collecting ghost fishing nets. Our instructor Ophelia led a fundraising effort and raised $10,000 to acquire a tractor for RNACB. With this tractor they are able to launch their boat quickly and efficiently which will overall help them to better patrol and protect the reserve.