Escuintla
Biological Corridor of the South Coast
Due to the enormous environmental destruction occurred in the southern coast of Guatemala, this region was neglected by conservation efforts. However, a quick inventory of the ecological values of the South Coast shows us that there is still a functional biological corridor: songbirds, shorebirds, predatory birds, whales, bats, sea turtles and fish use this corridor in their constant migrations. There are also important natural ecosystems remaining that help the production of environmental goods and services of economic importance, and they deserve to be preserved.
That is why Fundaeco, through the Biological Corridor Project of the South Coast- Chiquimulilla Canal, started applying conservation efforts to protect this unique region of the country.
Currently, Fundaeco develops research work in the coastal marine zone with the support of Manuel Ixquiac, who conducts studies for the conservation of the hammerhead sharks in its habitat. This is meant to help prevent its extinction in contrast to the sawfish. The hammerhead sharks are found in the CITES list and on the list of endangered species of the IUCN. This effort seeks to contribute to the management and conservation of key areas proposed as marine protected areas of the Pacific, these being the areas where hammerhead sharks spawn.
