Coastal Ecuador Marine Corridor (200719)
Ecuador, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, A1d, B1
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Corredor Marino Costero de Ecuador
Central coordinates: Latitude: -1.1998, Longitude: -80.9121
System: marine, marine, marine, marine
Elevation (m): 0 to 166
Area of KBA (km2): 61535.58659
Protected area coverage (%): 7.78
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: The Coastal Ecuador Marine Corridor (CEMAC) KBA lies on the southcentral coast of Ecuador between latitudes 0.86 and 3.39 South and from the coastline as far as the longitude 81.67 West. The highest altitude is 166m from one of the scattered islets in the KBA, Isla de la Plata. This area lies mostly over the continental shelf of Ecuador (down to 200 m deep). Yet, it also includes deep-sea habitats such as the continental slope (from 200 to 2000 m deep), abyssal plane (around 1500 m deep) and the subduction trench (down to 4500 m deep). Among the most important shallower key structural habitats are sandy banks, coral, and rocky reefs, which host many demersal but also pelagic fish species. The CEMAC is home to many resident birds and a transit site for migratory birds. In the waters of the Ecuadorian coast, there are aggregation areas for giant manta rays (Mobula birostris) and breeding areas for hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini). With respect to marine mammals, these waters are also a key breeding area for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and provide habitat for a resident population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and isolated colonies of sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki, Otaria flavescens). Likewise, areas of high biological productivity have supported important small pelagic fisheries such as pinfish (Opisthonema spp.), mackerel (Scomber japonicus), chuhueco (Cetengraulis mysticetus), anchovy (Engraulis ringens), sardines (Etrumeus teres, Sardinops sagax ), among other. Regarding marine megafauna, the waters and beaches of the Ecuadorian coast are important feeding and nesting sites for green turtles (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea). According to the IUCN Red List, by 2022, there are 378 assessed species inhabiting this region, out of which 11 were categorized as critically endangered, 18 as endangered (EN), 43 as vulnerable (VU), and 25 as near threatened (NT).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least two criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Threatened of extinction species like Phoebastria irrorata (A1a); Pterodroma phaeopygia (A1c); Mobula birostris (A1c); Triakis acutipinna (A1a) and the austral migratory tern, Sternula lorata (A1a and B1). Finally, the coral, Pocillopora elegans (A1d)
Additional biodiversity: Lepydochelys olivacea, Sphirna lewini.
Manageability of the site: Around the 7.78% (4808.01 Km2) of this coastal-marine KBA are national protected areas under the management of the Ministry of Environment of Ecuador (MAATE). This KBA embrace the following national marine and coastal areas: Puntilla de Santa Elena Fauna Production Reserve (99.3%); Galera San Francisco Marine Reserve (100%); Playas de Villamil National Recreational Area (68.9%); El Pelado Marine Reserve (99.4%); Cantagallo-Machalilla (marine section)(100%); Bajo Cope Marine Reserve (100%); Isla Santa Clara Marine Reserve (100%); Manglares Estuario del Río Muisne Wildlife Refuge (100%); Pacoche Wildlife Refuge (marine section) (99.4%).
This KBA has several types of spatial management and initiatives. In environmental terms, this KBA have the entire Network of National Protected Areas (SNAP), in which there are 14 marine protected areas along the Ecuadorian coast. In addition, we have three types of fishing management:
1.- the total protection zone and 1-mile artisanal fishing reserve, in which no boat is authorized to fish;
2.- the 8-mile industrial fishing exclusion zone, in which only artisanal boats and fleets can fish; and
3.- corralito areas in which only certain types of authorized fishing can occur. *Corralito means in english language and this case "small fishing yard"
In addition to this, a Blue Corridor is currently being promoted by conservation organizations, which is a new spatial management area that will connect the Ecuadorian coast along the 8 miles from the border with Colombia to the border with Peru. This area will provide nearly one million hectares of sustainable use and conservation to the region, and is just inside this KBA which protects also the habitat of marine species in its extension.
Supersedes another site: Isla de la Plata 14518 and Isla Santa Clara 14617.
Delineation rationale: The Coastal Ecuador Marine Corridor (CEMAC) KBA lies on the south central coast of Ecuador between latitudes 0.65 and 3.4 South and from the coastline as far as the longitude 81.67 West. This area lies mostly over the continental shelf of Ecuador (down to 200 m deep). Yet, it also includes deep-sea habitats such as the continental slope (from 200 to 2000 m deep), abyssal plane (around 1500 m deep) and the subduction trench (down to 4500 m deep).
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Deep Ocean Floor (Benthic and Demersal) | 10 | Continental Slope/Bathyl Zone (200–4,000 m) |
| Marine Neritic | 100 | Marine Neritic – Subtidal loose rock/pebble/gravel |
| Marine Deep Ocean Floor (Benthic and Demersal) | 100 | Bathypelagic (1,000–4,000 m) |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Industrial aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Scale Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Oil spills | Unknown |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Unknown | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: César Peñaherrera and Nicole Chinacalle from Migramar.
Ben Haase (Published Material).
Experts on birds during KBA workshop.