Ten Coiba National Park rangers certified as divers to boost marine conservation

Ten park rangers from Coiba National Park have earned international Open Water Diver certification, bolstering the protection of the area's marine ecosystems.

The training initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) through the National System of Protected Areas (Sinap), equips personnel with advanced technical and operational skills for marine conservation.

During the course, participants received theoretical instruction on diving equipment, physics and physiology principles, dive planning, and safety protocols. Practical sessions in confined waters honed their skills in equipment handling, buoyancy control, and underwater communication. The final stage involved open water dives where rangers applied their knowledge and were assessed on buoyancy control, decompression procedures, and safety measures to achieve their certification.

MiAmbiente highlighted that this certification significantly enhances the institution's capacity for specialized activities within Coiba National Park, a vital protected area in Panama. The newly certified divers will contribute to monitoring marine environments, maintaining infrastructure such as buoys, supporting scientific research, and undertaking other conservation actions for the park's natural resources.

The group of ten rangers, including one woman, received their official certifications, marking a significant step in strengthening marine conservation efforts in the region.