Montecristi Underwater National Park

To protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems of great ecological importance or scenic beauty, with or without forest cover, or with underwater life, for the benefit of present and future generations, to avoid exploitation and Intensive occupations that alter their ecosystems, provide the basis for creating opportunities for spiritual recreation, scientific, educational, recreational and tourist activities.

Species of Concern: hawksbill sea turtle, green sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, West Indian manatee, humpback whale, common bottlenose dolphin

Restrictions

The following guidelines shall apply to the entire Park:
1. Fishing boats or deep-draft vessels are not allowed in the territory of the Park.
2. The collection of clams will be regulated according to technical criteria and coordination with collectors and buyers.
3. Small fishing boats and very shallow ecotourism transport boats should not anchor in reef areas, they will move along previously defined routes and will have specific places for the practice of sport or recreational diving, as defined by the Ecotourism Development Plan. Mooring buoys must be installed.
4. Capture or damage to flora and fauna is prohibited, with the exception of authorized local fishery species.
5. Both fishers and ecotourism vessels will be obliged to remove the waste they generate on the mainland and place it in a place under the control of the local councils.
6. Vessel maintenance should be done outside the protected area, in order to prevent potential oil and fuel spills.
7. The use of agrochemicals and the release or use of chemical substances that may affect flora, fauna or the marine environment are prohibited.
8. The discharge of sewage into the sea is prohibited.
9. It is not allowed to cause noises that disturb the tranquility and that may disturb the development of wildlife and recreation.
10. Due to their condition as a protected coastal area, docks or maritime terminals may only be erected in places authorized by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, after the corresponding studies, and they must be on stilts that do not interrupt the current or the movement of the species in the water and the coast, giving preference to collective docks for fishermen no more than 50 meters inland.

Allowed

The following guidelines shall apply to the entire Park:
1. The uses compatible with this protected area are research, environmental education and ecotourism.
2. Traditional sustainable fishing is allowed with methods permitted by current regulations, but non-fishing zones will be defined with the participation of fishers.
3. Ecotourism and recreational activities are allowed within the Park, in accordance with the regulations defined by the Ministry of the Environment in the Ecotourism Development Plan for the Park and the other protected areas of the Montecristi Complex.
4. Cultural diving to observe colonial shipwrecks (sunken galleons) will only be allowed in sunken galleons that are identified after studies that must be carried out together with the Office of Underwater Cultural Heritage. Vessels and tour operators must be previously authorized by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources.