Preventing plastics pervading an oceanic oasis: Building the case for the Costa Rica Thermal Dome to become a World Heritage site in ABNJ

World Heritage status for selected sites in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction is under active consideration, and the Costa Rica Thermal Dome in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean is a feasible candidate site. A scientific expedition to the area in April 2017 added to biological baseline data but al...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine policy 2018-10, Vol.96, p.235-242
Main Authors: Johnson, David Edward, Ross Salazar, Erick, Gallagher, Anthony, Rees, Aldous, Sheridan Rodriguez, Carolina, Cambronero Solano, Sergio, Rojas Ortega, Gustavo, Barrio Froján, Christopher
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Eastern tropical Pacific Ocean
EBSA
Fundación MarViva
Microplastics
Regional governance
World Heritage Convention
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Summary:World Heritage status for selected sites in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction is under active consideration, and the Costa Rica Thermal Dome in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean is a feasible candidate site. A scientific expedition to the area in April 2017 added to biological baseline data but also confirmed presence of microplastics in the water column. National and regional efforts are being made by Central American countries to strengthen mechanisms for integrated ocean management, educate coastal communities and give early consideration to potential future threats such as ocean fertilisation. This paper concludes that to achieve World Heritage status for this iconic site requires an entity to both propose the area and report on its status. Bringing into force the Antigua Convention, a Regional Seas Convention for the Eastern Tropical Pacific, would provide an appropriate platform for Central American governments to enact protective measures. •New evidence reaffirms the Costa Rica Thermal Dome as meeting the EBSA criteria.•Outstanding Universal Value spurs interest in Dome as candidate World Heritage site.•Microplastics are found in the water column, far from obvious point sources.•Diverse management and clear governance plans are required for key sites in ABNJ.•Ratification of a Regional Seas Convention is advocated as an essential first step.
ISSN:0308-597X
1872-9460
DOI:10.1016/j.marpol.2018.02.022