Development of an integrated coastal management plan for the Gulf of San Miguel and Darien Province, Panama: Lessons from the experience

Panama's first experience in integrated coastal management took the form of a pilot project in Darien Province in eastern Panama. The project, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, was part of package of numerous development activities comprising the Program for the Sustainable Development of Darien. The project team conducted an extensive evaluation of the province's coastal resources, community organization and uses of the marine and coastal resources, and problems affecting the long-term sustainability of resources in the region. Together with broad community input, the project team developed a Coastal Management Plan for Darien that is composed of five actions plans (Sustainable Fisheries, Habitat and Resource Conservation, Coastal Environmental/Water Quality, Eco-Tourism, and Institutional Coordination). This manuscript examines the successes, challenges, and outcomes of the program.