Islas Secas Foundation
The privately funded Islas Secas Foundation (ISF), an affiliate of The Moore Charitable Foundation, supports marine and avian conservation and research, habitat protection and local community programs in the region.
Panama Audubon Society - Aulas Verdes
To preserve the mangrove ecosystems and build conservation stewardship within the Bay of Chiriqui, ISF encouraged Panama Audubon to expand an environmental education program to include Chiriqui public schools. A local environmental educator provides students and teachers with training, tools and opportunities to raise future nature advocates by developing a lifelong appreciation and love for wildlife and wetlands.
MarViva
ISF supports MarViva in convening local authorities, scientific experts, and fishing communities to develop marine spatial planning for the Gulf of Chiriquí. is region boasts diverse marine ecosystems and multiple users. Efforts include environmental media campaigns promoting marine corridors and advocating for innovation and cooperation among governmental entities for sustainable marine resource use.
Panacetacea
Panacetacea conducts annual expeditions in the Gulf of Chiriqui to monitor two distinct populations of humpback whales with ISF support. Photo-ID and sound recording contribute to population mapping and inform management. Panacetacea has identified over 1000 whales over 18 years. 2024 is the 19th year of scientifically monitoring the migratory whales; last year, surveys sighted 143 groups of whales, while 117 individual whales were photo-identified.
Wetlands International
In Panama, Islas Secas Foundation supports Wetland International’s mangrove restoration work in the Gulf of Chiriqui to ensure the expansion of important protected mangrove area. ISF also supports a carbon offsetting initiative based on wetlands conservation and restoration in Panama.
The Leatherback Project
The ISF supports the Leatherback Project’s efforts in Panama to conserve endangered sea turtles through satellite tagging, research, education, and advocacy. Research confirms the Pearl Islands Archipelago hosts important sea turtle and marine migratory species populations. TLP is working to create a wildlife refuge around Saboga Island and include it in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor, protecting regional marine biodiversity hotspots.
Global Fishing Watch
Global Fishing Watch aims to show how transparency can combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and improve the monitoring and sustainability of fisheries. ISF supports this vital mapping platform to strengthen the enforcement of fisheries regulations and Marine Protected Areas.
Centro de Incidencia Ambiental
CIAM, a non-profit law organization, develops, implements, and enforces environmental law in Panama. With ISF support, CIAM helped pass Panama’s Coral Law in May 2022, providing immediate protection to coral reefs and associated species. This first-of-its-kind law in Latin America ensures coral consideration in future development, fisheries management, and marine protection. We now support CIAM's efforts to enforce it.
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
With Islas Secas Foundation's support, STRI extended its academic program on tropical biodiversity and conservation to national college students, enhancing local stewardship and capacity building. ISF also supported STRI's leadership at the 2023 OurOcean Conference and their research on marine megafauna migration.
