This Manual shall only be applicable to the execution of the Pilot Plan for payment for environmental or ecosystem services in mangrove forests, and therefore only governs for the associations and bodies or entities involved therein.
SINGLE TRANSITORY PROVISION.
In the event that any of the Associations contemplated in article 5 of this Manual do not meet the established requirements, other Associations may be considered, upon prior verification of compliance with the technical and legal requirements.
APPLICATION FORM PILOT PLAN FOR PAYMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL OR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN MANGROVE FORESTS 1. Name of the Organization applying: ____________________________________ Legal Identification Number (cédula jurídica): _________________________________________________ Full name of legal representative: ______________________________________ Identification Number of legal representative: _______________________________________________ Telephone and email of the legal representative: ____________________________ Location or Area of Influence: _____________________________________________ Has legal and accounting books? _________ YES NO__________ 2. Activity the organization is engaged in: Fishing ___________ Mollusk Collection ___________ Other _________ 3. Total number of members_____________.
Number of participating women_______ and number of participating men________ 4. Has accounting services? _________ YES NO__________ ____________________________________________ Date and Signature
The undersigned (referred to as the User) freely, unequivocally, specifically, and in an informed manner authorizes the National Forest Financing Fund (Fondo Nacional de Financiamiento Forestal), legal identification number 3-007-204724, hereinafter referred to as FONAFIFO, to create, store, and consult my personal data, sensitive or not, that identify me and make me identifiable before different institutions, credit bureaus, databases, and pertinent information, acknowledging: a) That there is a database called FONAFIFO DATABASE (SICGI-SISUS) INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SUBSTANTIVE SYSTEMS that FONAFIFO maintains for the storage and processing of personal data, by virtue of the public services it provides to its users. b) That the collection of this personal data is for the purpose of decision-making in its functions and for the follow-up of the procedures that FONAFIFO's programs entail, such as entry applications, contracts, follow-ups, and controls thereof. c) That the personal data may be used by FONAFIFO for the purposes of processing and approval of the services, as well as the prospecting and offering of other products and services, via any means of communication. d) That the recipients of the personal data, as well as the persons who may consult them, will be the professionals who work directly within the structure of FONAFIFO or by external service providers, all of whom will be obligated to comply with FONAFIFO's own confidentiality and data protection policies. e) That the answers to the questions asked of the user during the data collection process are optional. f) That the processing that FONAFIFO will give to the requested personal data will be their analysis, to determine the user's compliance with requirements to be part of the Payment for Environmental Services Program for exclusively internal purposes. g) That the user has the right to provide or not provide the data requested by FONAFIFO, and therefore the user is under no obligation in any case to provide personal information; however, the sole consequence of not providing us with the data requested in the Entry Application forms will be the impossibility for the Responsible Party to carry out the activity described above, this being because the requested information is strictly necessary and not excessive, strictly adhering to the principle of data quality of the regulation on the matter. h) That by virtue of Law N°8968, the user is entitled to a series of rights in relation to the personal information provided to FONAFIFO, such as the right to request the rectification, updating, or deletion of the information provided, it being understood that the information provided will always be the property of the user. i) That the controller of the database shall be the head of the Information and Communication Technology Unit (IT) of FONAFIFO, who is located at the main offices of FONAFIFO. j) FONAFIFO, on the occasion of and for the effective provision of the requested or offered services, may collect, purchase, verify, and consult the user's personal data existing in other databases provided by third parties. k) FONAFIFO may assign, transfer, and exchange the personal data it obtains and maintains in its database internally and with third parties, located outside the internal scope, who provide or will provide services to FONAFIFO, such as, but not limited to: collaborators, advisors, creditors, correspondents, regulatory and supervisory authorities, governmental authorities; credit bureaus, collection agencies, and the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Costa Rican Drug Institute (Instituto Costarricense sobre Drogas); on the understanding that said information will likewise not be sold or in any other way commercialized, the foregoing on the occasion of and for the effective provision of the services requested or offered by FONAFIFO. I expressly authorize FONAFIFO to access or consult and collect the data from the various consultations to state websites such as the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social) and the National Registry. Especially but not limited to: i) ii) iii) The records of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) (if a national), for which the information that said entity makes available to the public is used.
The Web service called INTERDATA (if a foreigner), which is provided by RACSA through a secure communication channel between their systems and those of FONAFIFO; Through the National Registry database and public institutions. the Official System for Consultation and Validation of the Identity of Foreign Residents in Costa Rica of the Directorate General of Immigration and Foreigners (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería) and/or the Identity Verification (Verificación de Identidad) system of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, as applicable, in order to validate the identification documents I have provided, and to which FONAFIFO will have access by reading my identification data and/or reading my fingerprints, for which I authorize and release FONAFIFO from any responsibility for the use of said identification systems. By signing this document, I give my informed consent to FONAFIFO to keep my data in its Database in accordance with what has been informed to me herein.
Place: _____________________________ Date: _____________________________ Signature and Identification Number: __________________________
PAYMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL OR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES CONTRACT IN MANGROVE FORESTS CONTRACT NUMBER XX-01-70-XXX-2024 We, Franz Tattenbach Capra, of legal age, married once, economist, bearer of identification number one-six hundred twenty-two-three hundred twenty-five, resident of Escazú, in his capacity as Minister of Environment and Energy, according to Agreement number zero zero one-P of May eighth, two thousand twenty-two, published in the Official Gazette La Gaceta number eighty-five, Supplement number ninety-one of May tenth, two thousand twenty-two, who by resolution N° R- four hundred one - two thousand twenty-four- MINAE of ten hours forty minutes on October fourteenth, two thousand twenty-four, published in La Gaceta Number one hundred ninety-five, of October eighteenth, two thousand twenty-four, has delegated the signing of the contracts processed by the National Forest Financing Fund for Payment for Environmental Services in any of its activities to Mr. GILMAR NAVARRETE CHACÓN, of legal age, married once, Forestry Engineer, bearer of identification number one-eight hundred ninety-six-one hundred fifty-five, resident of San José, Curridabat, who acts in his capacity as Executive Director of the National Forest Financing Fund, legal identification number three-zero zero seven-two zero four seven two four, hereinafter referred to as "FONAFIFO", duly authorized for this act by the Board of Directors of Fonafifo by means of the second agreement of the extraordinary Session number 03-2024, of September twenty-fifth, 2024, hereinafter referred to as "FONAFIFO", and (Full name), of legal age, (marital status), (Profession or trade), identification number xxx, resident of (indicate Province, District, Canton, and other details), who appears in his/her capacity as xxx with powers of General Unlimited Attorney-in-Fact (Apoderado Generalísimo) without limit of sum of the ASSOCIATION ___________________ denominated XXX, legal identification number three-hundred xxxxxx, domiciled in xxx, as recorded in the Automated System of Legal Entities of the National Registry, hereinafter referred to as "THE BENEFICIARY", based on the Law number seven thousand five hundred seventy-five "Ley Forestal", article 62 of the Regulation Decreto Ejecutivo Number twenty-five thousand seven hundred twenty-one-MINAE and its amendments, and the Pilot Plan Operations Manual for Payment for Environmental and/or Ecosystem Services in Mangrove Forests, published in Supplement number _______ of La Gaceta N°_______________ of the year two thousand twenty and its amendments, we agree to enter into this contract, which shall be governed in particular by the following clauses:
FIRST CLAUSE: The SINAC and INCOPESCA Permits THE BENEFICIARY is the permit holder of _____________________________________________ granted by _________________________________ of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), by resolution number:__________________ dated_________________, in which they are authorized to:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________, area located in _________________________________________________________________________ _______. Likewise, the Costa Rican Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Instituto Costarricense de Pesca y Acuacultura, INCOPESCA), authorized the commercialization for a total of ______________ members of THE BENEFICIARY, for the commercialization of the species of _______________ extracted in the area of the permit granted by SINAC, a list comprising annex number one of this contract.
SECOND CLAUSE: The Object of the Contract The object of this contract is to regulate the relationship between THE BENEFICIARY and MINAE, under which the latter recognizes the environmental services generated by THE BENEFICIARY, through the fulfillment of their obligations. In this act, THE BENEFICIARY assigns to FONAFIFO and MINAE the environmental or ecosystem services generated in the fulfillment of this contract.
These environmental services will be delivered in annual and future installments, counted from the effective date of this contract, provided that the Professional Biologist so reports, upon confirming that the conditions of the mangrove forest and the agreed obligations are being met. By virtue of the transfer of environmental services made in this contract, MINAE and Fonafifo are free to dispose of the acquired and transferred environmental services in any manner they deem appropriate, and may sell them to third parties both nationally and internationally, without having to notify THE BENEFICIARY of such action, who may not claim any amount from MINAE and/or Fonafifo for this disposition of the acquired services. In accordance with the foregoing, THE BENEFICIARY may not, under any circumstances, sell or dispose of, by any title, the environmental services generated by the forest during the term of this contract.
CLAUSE THREE: Term The term of this contract is one year from its signing, in accordance with the Operation Manual of the Pilot Plan for Payment of Environmental and/or Ecosystem Services in Mangrove Forests, and may be extended for an equal period provided sufficient economic resources exist for such purpose and the obligations have been fulfilled.
CLAUSE FOUR: Project impact area The area in which the project will be developed shall be _____ hectares and is identified in the survey conducted by the National System of Conservation Areas (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación), which forms part of this contract, constituting Annex Two.
CLAUSE FIVE: Price and form of payment Fonafifo, as consideration for the transfer established in this contract, shall pay for the acquired environmental services an annual sum of 2,698.85 USD (two thousand six hundred ninety-eight dollars and eighty-five cents, legal tender of the United States of America) per hectare of mangrove forest committed to the protection activity. As provided in the Operation Manual of the Pilot Plan for Payment of Environmental and/or Ecosystem Services in Mangrove Forests, Fonafifo shall authorize and send the disbursement order to the Fundación Banco Ambiental for it to issue the disbursements. This amount shall be paid to the Association in three installments, with respect to the amount stated in the preceding paragraph. The first disbursement of 25% shall be made upon the signing of the contract and when compliance with the established formal requirements is reported. The second disbursement, corresponding to 25%, shall be made 3 months after the signing of the contract; a third disbursement, corresponding to 25%, shall be made 6 months after the signing of the contract, and the remaining 25% shall be made 9 months after the signing of the contract. Each payment shall be made upon prior verification of compliance with the obligations established in this contract and in the Operation Manual of the Pilot Plan for Payment of Environmental and/or Ecosystem Services in Mangrove Forests, as well as the use and commercialization permits established in clause one of this contract.
CLAUSE SIX: Obligations of THE BENEFICIARY THE BENEFICIARY is obligated to: A) Fully comply with the obligations established by SINAC in the Mollusk Use Plan (Plan de Aprovechamiento de Moluscos) granted through resolution No._________________ dated_______________________________ and ensure that its associates comply with the conditions set forth in the respective plan B) Fully comply with the obligations established by INCOPESCA in the Extraction Plan (Plan de Extracción) issued through resolution No._________________ dated_______________________________ and ensure compliance with these by its associates. C) Keep the authorizations issued by SINAC and INCOPESCA current. D) Not carry out logging, extraction, or any other activities that damage or alter the mangrove forest and its surrounding areas, except for activities expressly authorized in the respective permits. E) Take the necessary actions to protect the mangrove forest subject to the use permit, as well as prevent any damage caused by third parties; these protection actions shall at a minimum be: demarcation and delimitation of the assigned mangrove forest area by means of signs, buoys, flags, or any other mechanism proposed and approved by the biologist manager. As well as periodic supervision and surveillance of the subject area, according to a surveillance plan that must be proposed, prepared, and fulfilled by THE BENEFICIARY. F) Coordinate work with the Biologist Manager, as well as abide by and implement the technically justified recommendations that have been issued verbally or in writing by the Biologist Manager, as well as by personnel from MINAE, SINAC, INCOPESCA, or Fonafifo. G) Comply with and participate in all activities provided for in this contract, including surveillance actions, breeding or reproduction processes, involvement in mollusk monitoring processes, ecological monitoring of the mangrove, and the sustainable use of mollusks. H) Have mechanisms for recording daily, weekly, or monthly extraction, as provided, kept by a person from the association or hired for that purpose, who does not extract mollusks. I) Have an Internal Regulation governing the extraction activity. J) Establishment and maintenance of signs as provided in the Operation Manual of the Pilot Plan for Payment of Environmental and/or Ecosystem Services in Mangrove Forests. K) Comply with conservation actions such as extracting only mollusks of the authorized size, according to the established tools, and those smaller than the established parameter must be sent to the breeding areas, which will be guided and established by the Biologist Manager in charge. L) Report and gather evidence (photos or others) against persons outside the association who extract mollusks and cause damage or alterations to the mangrove forest and the biodiversity found therein. This report must be filed at the MINAE-SINAC offices no later than 8 calendar days after becoming aware of the facts, where applicable. Likewise, the Association must file a criminal complaint with the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público), and an administrative complaint before SINAC and the Environmental Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal Ambiental Administrativo), as appropriate. A copy of these complaints must be sent to the SINAC Regional Office no later than 30 calendar days after having been filed. M) Transfer to MINAE and Fonafifo the Environmental or Ecosystem Services for a period equal to the term of this contract. N) Comply with the obligations established in Law No. 7575 "Ley Forestal", Executive Decree No. 25721 "Reglamento a la Ley Forestal" and its amendments, this contract, and the Operation Manual of the Pilot Plan for Payment of Environmental and/or Ecosystem Services in Mangrove Forests.
- O)Comply with the administrative and financial obligations established in the Operation Manual of the Pilot Plan for Payment of Environmental and/or Ecosystem Services in Mangrove Forests, especially the following: Maintain, throughout the term of the payment for ecosystem services in mangrove forests contract, the services of an authorized accountant registered with the Colegio de Contadores (Private or Public), who may be in-house or contracted for professional services, and who must keep the accounting up to date. If contracted for professional services, they must be up to date with obligations to the CCSS, the Ministerio de Hacienda, and FODESAF; Facilitate to MINAE, SINAC, FONAFIFO, FUNBAM, and the Biologist Manager, their assistant, and/or any other authorized person, during the term of the payment for ecosystem services contract and six months after its expiration, access to the Association's accounting information, accounting books, bank reconciliations, bank account statements for the corresponding period, and monthly financial statements; deliver resources and payments to the associated persons for the conservation and extraction actions; submit a monthly accounting report and detail of actions taken in the area subject to the permits granted by SINAC. P) Maintain, throughout the term of the contract, an account in colones at the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica or at other duly authorized financial entities for such purpose; into which account only the resources derived from this contract shall be deposited and maintained. Q) Be up to date with obligations to the CCSS, FODESAF, and the Ministerio de Hacienda. R) During the term of this contract and six months after the conclusion of the payment for ecosystem services in mangrove forests contract, THE BENEFICIARY must prepare and submit a report on compliance with obligations, technical, administrative, financial, and others, at least every three months, or when SINAC, MINAE, FONAFIFO, and INCOPESCA so request. This obligation must be fulfilled no later than 15 business days after the request.
CLAUSE SEVEN: Rights of the parties THE BENEFICIARY has the right to:
a. Distribute the resources derived from this contract according to the terms approved by the Associates' Assembly, duly signed.
b. Receive the payments stipulated for the transfer of the environmental services within the agreed time, provided it is up to date with the payment of obligations to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social), Fodesaf, and the Ministerio de Hacienda. Likewise, it must be up to date with the obligations contracted with MINAE, Fonafifo, and SINAC derived from this contract.
c. Establish a percentage for administrative expenses of the Beneficiary, which may not exceed 6.16%.
d. Be notified prior to any visit to the project area.
e. In the event of an alleged breach, have the right to due process in administrative proceedings.
MINAE -Fonafifo- SINAC has the right to:
f. Demand compliance with the obligations contracted in this contract by THE BENEFICIARY.
g. Monitor and supervise the area where the mangrove forest subject to this contract is located.
h. Supervise the accounts and the manner of investment of the resources paid by virtue of this contract.
i. Require the Beneficiary to provide the technical, financial, and administrative reports it deems appropriate.
j. Suspend pending payments in the event of alleged or proven contractual breaches, or upon notice from the Biologist Manager.
CLAUSE EIGHT: Faults In the execution of the contract, two types of faults may occur: Minor and serious. Minor faults shall be resolved by SINAC in coordination with the Professional Biologist; serious faults shall be resolved by SINAC, who shall determine the seriousness of the fault entailing the contractual breach, taking into account the impact on the mangrove forest or the biodiversity found therein, and technical criteria.
CLAUSE NINE: Breach of contract The breach of the terms and obligations of this contract shall generate the right for the complying party to demand forced compliance, or to terminate the contract without liability for itself, and both situations may result in the payment of damages consisting of the return of economic resources and their interest where applicable. Without prejudice to the foregoing, the regional representative of MINAE, SINAC, INCOPESCA, or Fonafifo, upon detecting any anomalous situation or any alleged breach, shall proceed to contact THE BENEFICIARY and the Biologist Manager, in order to clarify the facts and reach an agreement, for the purpose of continuing with the contract, abiding by the technical and administrative provisions issued in this regard.
If the existence of alleged serious faults entailing a contractual breach is evidenced, Fonafifo shall establish an ordinary administrative procedure as provided by the General Public Administration Law (Ley General de la Administración Pública), in order to establish the real truth and declare the breach. Fonafifo shall suspend pending disbursements until the final act declaring or not declaring the breach is issued.
Without prejudice to the provisions of this clause, during the course of the administrative procedure for alleged breach, THE BENEFICIARY may propose a remedial plan to MINAE, which shall be evaluated by Fonafifo and, if accepted, the respective adjustments to this contract shall be made.
CLAUSE TEN: Return of resources, payment of interest, and others In the event of a proven breach, when the return of resources is applicable, these shall be made by THE BENEFICIARY, recognizing to MINAE-Fonafifo the payment of ordinary interest from the verification of the breach, which shall correspond to the basic rate plus three points, and as default interest a rate of one percent monthly. In cases where THE BENEFICIARY must make returns not derived from a contractual breach, the amount shall be returned to Fonafifo without ordinary interest, but default interest shall be charged at a rate of one percent monthly from the date of default. In both cases, MINAE-Fonafifo and THE BENEFICIARY may agree to payment arrangements whose conditions must be adequate and convenient for Fonafifo.
In the event of a breach, MINAE Fonafifo may recognize, in the respective settlement, the actions executed in which there has been compliance with the contract.
CLAUSE ELEVEN: Non-execution of payments.
If, within a maximum period of 6 months after the moment each of the payments of the Payment for Environmental and/or Ecosystem Services for Mangroves contract becomes due, the respective collection is not made, these shall expire and shall not be disbursed by Fonafifo, without this generating any liability on its part. Excepted from this provision are those cases where there is a reasonable justification for the reason that has delayed the respective disbursement, and this is duly documented in the administrative file. The expiration of payments shall not affect the validity of the contract.
CLAUSE TWELVE: Official communications and contractual domicile Fonafifo: ________________________________________ THE BENEFICIARY: ______________________________ The means for receiving notifications related to this contract shall be the following:
Fonafifo: ________________________________ THE BENEFICIARY: ______________________ It is the duty of the parties to inform of any change in these domiciles and means for receiving notifications. Should these changes occur, a formal written communication shall suffice and modification of the contract is not required; however, should the domicile or means of notification be changed and the counterparty not be informed, the latter shall validly make any communication or proceeding via the means of notification originally established.
CLAUSE THIRTEEN: Interpretation criteria The parties establish that this contract shall be interpreted under the principles of good faith and mutual collaboration; in any case, this interpretation shall have the purpose of enabling the fulfillment of the agreed contractual purpose.
CLAUSE FOURTEEN: Annexes to this contract The reports submitted by the professional biologist for the execution of this contract shall form an integral part of this contract.
CLAUSE FIFTEEN: Applicable Law In all cases, this contract shall be governed by Costa Rican legislation in general and specifically by Ley Forestal No. 7575, Executive Decree No. 25721-MINAE of October 17, 1996, and its amendments, the Operation Manual of the Pilot Plan for Payment of Environmental and/or Ecosystem Services in Mangrove Forests, published in the Official Gazette La Gaceta No. xxx Alcance xxx of xxx, xxx, 2024, as well as other provisions issued by the Executive Branch. The applicable jurisdiction shall be the Courts of Justice of Costa Rica.
CLAUSE SIXTEEN: Effective date This contract is effective as of its signing.
Having read the foregoing, we approve and sign it in San José, on the ___ day of the month of ________, two thousand twenty-four.
____________________________________ ING. GILMAR NAVARRETE CHACÓN FONDO NACIONAL DE FINANCIAMIENTO FORESTAL _____________ BENEFICIARY
FORMAT FOR PROGRESS AND FINAL REPORTS PILOT PAYMENT FOR MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES IN MANGROVE FORESTS Period: Report number and month range (Submit the Report by Chapters for each active member and activities to report.)
A-Participating organizations and number of persons B-General analysis of the application of Activities to be recognized 1. Basic Project Data
| Community association: | |
|---|
| Project Title: | |
| Focal Area: | |
| Project Associations: | |
| Project duration | |
Financing:
| Grant Amount (USD) | |
|---|
| Cumulative Disbursements (USD) | |
Assessments:
| Overall rating of progress in executing objectives and results: | |
|---|
| Overall rating of implementation progress: | |
| Overall rating of attention to project risks: | |
2. Project objectives
| Environmental objectives: | |
|---|
| Social Objectives: | |
Description of activities carried out and included in this report Results Challenges Opportunities 3. Cumulative progress chart towards the achievement of project objectives and results | Objectives | Description of activities | Baseline | End-of-project target | Level of progress as of the report date | Level of satisfaction | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | 4. Level of stakeholder participation This section lists all stakeholders participating in the project, identifying which new parties join and at what time. Briefly describe the events in which participation occurs, specifying date, time, and commitments assumed by the stakeholders, the purpose (information, consultation, decision-making, among others), and the results.
5. Budget and expenses Provide a summary of expenses incurred up to the date of submission of the project progress reports and attach the monthly reports generated by the person in charge of accounting.
6. Recommendations This section is fundamental for guiding stakeholders towards more effective and sustainable practices, favoring the integral development of the mollusk gatherer groups. Suggesting improvements in current practices, facilitating the implementation of effective strategies, highlighting areas of opportunity for mollusk cultivation for the benefit of the mollusk gatherer groups, and promoting adaptation to environmental or market changes. Techniques or methodologies that can help mollusk gatherers increase their productivity and sustainability may be recommended. Guidelines may be offered to help minimize potential conflicts related to mollusk resource management. Likewise, suggest training or capacity-building actions that enhance the skills of the mollusk gatherer groups and propose economic and social alternatives that benefit the families.
C-GENERAL CONCLUSIONS OF THE PERIOD 7. Annexes.
Include all documents and databases generated during the implementation of mollusk extraction monitoring activities, population assessment in their natural environment, ecological monitoring of the mangrove ecosystem, mollusk breeding, surveillance actions, and sustainable use.
1. Construction, management, and maintenance of nurseries The nurseries shall consist of 300 m2 areas, divided into twelve parcels of 25 m2 each, with a maximum capacity of 2500 individuals. By dividing it into 12 parcels, the relocated organisms can be planted in a staggered manner over one year, thus allowing for annual planting and harvest cycles.
Monitoring will evaluate the effectiveness of the relocation and breeding activities carried out by the mollusk gatherers. This consists of the continuous recording of information on the extraction activity, the species extracted, their size, extraction zones, destination (commercialization or nursery), growth, and survival.
1.1. Nursery design:
According to the species being extracted, nursery sites with characteristics similar to natural fishing grounds must be selected. The delimitation of the nurseries must be adjusted according to the requirements of the species to be relocated, that is, whether they inhabit mud or sandbanks, whether they are close to the high-tide or low-tide zone, and it must be consistent with the reproduction zones delimited in the Use Plans (Planes de Aprovechamiento) and the General Management Plan (Plan General de Manejo) to which the authorizations of the beneficiary mollusk gatherers are linked.
a. Materials for nursery construction:
? 1 roll of flagging tape ? 1 GPS ? Mesh bags of 90x60cm, with an opening similar to sardine netting ? Plastic bottles, mesh scraps, or some material serving as substrate b. Construction:
1. Delimit an area of 15x20 m (300 m2), which must be divided into quadrants of 5 m x 5 m (25 m2), resulting in a total of 12 parcels (Figure 3). Figure 3.
Delimitation of the nursery with 12 parcels of 5m x 5m.
2. Mark the location of the parcels with flagging tape, and record the coordinates with the GPS; this information must be managed by SINAC and Incopesca.
3. A planting density of 100 individuals per square meter shall be used, totaling 2500 individuals/parcel of 25 m2. 4. The organisms must be grouped by species and three size ranges:
a. Range 1 less than or equal to 10mm up to 25mm, b. Range 2 from 25mm up to 35mm c. Range 3 from 35mm up to 47mm 5. Following these size ranges, place the individuals in the mesh bags. The mesh bags must be 90 cm x 60 cm, made with an opening similar to sardine netting, and have a cord for closing the bag (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Mesh bags for placing mollusks in the nurseries.
Source: Cendepesca. 2009. Guides for Models for Improving the Quality of Life for Artisanal Fishers. JICA. El Salvador, Puerto El Triunfo.
6. The bags must be tied to the roots or anchored in the parcels, to prevent them from moving due to the tide, and even as security against theft. Try to place the bags during the rising tide or high tide to avoid predation by other organisms.
7. Inside the bags, bottles, mesh scraps, or some other material can be placed to offer a substrate for the seed to attach to, and to simulate the conditions that mangrove roots offer under normal conditions. If plastic bottles are used, it is recommended to cut the bottles transversely.
Each parcel in the nursery represents one month of extraction, with a maximum capacity of 2500 mollusks per parcel. That is, once the 2500 individuals for that parcel have been collected, no more organisms may be relocated during that month so as not to exceed the maximum nursery capacity.
2. Extraction, collection of mollusks, and Relocation 2.1. Extraction As this is a pilot project, the process of extraction, selection, and relocation of mollusks will be carried out in two ways to determine the method with better control and greater effectiveness:
a. 1250 individuals collected through organized trips between the mollusk gatherers and the authorities will be relocated, specifically individuals below the legal size at first capture (talla legal de primera captura, TLPC). They will be collected from sites identified by the mollusk gatherers, known to them as banks of juvenile individuals where adequate growth is not observed.
b. Another 1250 individuals collected during the extraction tasks of the mollusk gatherers authorized by Incopesca will be relocated. That is, from the resource they regularly extract, those meeting the TLCP may be commercialized, according to current regulations and the provisions of their extraction authorization. And organisms that do not reach the TLPC may be relocated in the authorized nurseries.
2.2. Selection and relocation of mollusks The selection of mollusks must be done with the help of a pianguimetro or some measuring device that facilitates the separation of mollusks with the TLPC from those below the TLPC.
The mollusk gatherers must take a sample of the organisms destined for the nurseries; this shall consist of recording information on the collection carried out, and measuring at least 30 individuals per species to be placed in each of the mesh bags. To do this, they must:
a. Measure the total length of the 30 organisms to determine the average planting size in each bag.
b. Identify each bag with a numbering system (example: V1P1B1) to monitor growth and maintain traceability of the organisms collected and relocated in the nursery.
c. Complete a record of contributions from the extracted organisms, with the information indicated in the Form for Mollusk Relocation Registry (Formulario para Registro de Reubicación de Moluscos) provided by Incopesca.
If during collection, at least 30 organisms are not collected, all the product destined for relocation must be measured.
For the relocation of mollusks, only those nurseries authorized by SINAC and INCOPESCA for this project may be used.
3. Growth monitoring, care, and harvest 3.1. Growth monitoring and density adjustment per bag During care in the nursery, growth control of the organisms must be kept through monthly samplings. The sampling consists of:
a. Each month, the total length of at least 30 individuals from each bag must be recorded to determine the average growth of each bag in each parcel.
b. Count the total organisms per bag to monitor the survival of individuals within the bags.
c. Carry out a maintenance process: Cleaning the bags and organisms if crustaceans or other adherent organisms are observed, checking and maintaining the good condition of the bags, the labeling system for each, the tying or anchoring system, and the marking of the parcels.
d. Every 8 months, a thinning process must be carried out, meaning the densities of organisms within each bag must be adjusted according to their size and the time spent in the bags (Table 1). That is, once the organisms have sizes between 25mm and 35mm, there may not be more than 500 individuals per bag, and when they have sizes between 35mm and 47mm, no more than 200 individuals per bag should be placed.
e. To keep a record of monitoring, the Growth Monitoring form must be completed.
Table 1. Quantity of mollusks per bag according to size
| Size (Total length) | Number of individuals | Adjustment time | Number of bags |
|---|
| ?10mm-25mm | 1000 | 0 months to 8 months | 1 |
| 25mm-35mm | 500 | 8 months to 15 months | 2 |
| 35mm-47mm | 200 | 15 months to 22 months | 5 |
3.2. Harvest Once the organisms exceed the TLPC, they may be commercialized in the traditional manner. If, after 22 months of being relocated in the nurseries, the organisms do not reach the TLPC, they may be consumed by the members of the group associated with the project, but may not be used for commercialization, nor returned to the ecosystem.
4. Control, sampling data, and reports 4.1. Information control and supervision 4.1.1. Delivery of sampling data It is the responsibility of the mollusk gatherers to deliver to Incopesca, on a monthly basis, information on the quantity and sale of the extracted product, as stipulated in the board of directors' agreement as a condition for maintaining the extraction authorization, and for the authority to keep statistical records of extraction and commercialization.
The organizations participating in the monitoring and fattening projects must attach to the information delivered to Incopesca: the forms for Mollusk Relocation Registry, and the Growth Monitoring forms described previously.
4.1.2. Supervision All activity shall be supervised by the project's biologist manager, ensuring the proper management and functioning of the mollusk nurseries, according to current regulations, the use plan linked to the authorizations, and the provisions indicated by SINAC and Incopesca for the management of the nurseries described in this document.
4.2. Control methods:
a. Coordination: The coordination of the pilot project must be carried out jointly between SINAC and INCOPESCA b. Reports: Reports shall be made through the monthly report that the regent must present to SINAC-INCOPESCA, and with the delivery of the "Registro de Mollusk Relocation", and "Growth Monitoring" 5. Activities and Effectiveness Indicators 5.1. Activity description:
Table 2 details the main activities that the shellfish gatherers (molusqueros) must carry out for the fulfillment of this pilot project, for a 12-month period.
Table 2. Monthly work time for 12,000 managed pianguas in the nursery
| Activity | Time per day (labor) | Days per month | Responsible Party |
|---|
| Training (Capacitación) | 4 hours | 1 day every three months | SINAC- INCOPESCA |
| Extraction and relocation | 6 hours | 20 days (linked to the harvesting plan (plan de aprovechamiento)) | Shellfish gatherer (Molusquero) |
| Nursery maintenance and surveillance | 6 hours | 30 days | Shellfish gatherer (Molusquero) |
| Monthly sampling | 4 hours | 1 day | Shellfish gatherer (Molusquero) |
| Thinning (Desdoble) | 4 hours | 1 day, every 8 months | Shellfish gatherer (Molusquero) |
| Information delivery | 4 hours | 1 day | Shellfish gatherer (Molusquero) and SINACINCOPESCA |
23 hours per month per person and 5 people are required per month, equaling 115 payable hours per month for 22 months.
4.2. Effectiveness Indicators There are no baseline effectiveness indicators, nor can values or tolerance margins be defined until the first data collection from this pilot project is obtained. However, the indicators that will be obtained through the monitoring described above will be the following:
1. Growth indicator: Monthly total length measurements until reaching the TLPC size (Table 3).
Table 3. Legal first-capture size for piangua, white clam, mussels, and large clam.
| Species | Legal Size (TLPC) |
|---|
| Piangua (*Anadara tuberculosa*) | 47 mm |
| Piangua (*Anadara similis*) | 47 mm |
| White clam (*Leukoma spp.*) | 30 mm |
| Green mussel (*Mytella guyanensis*) | 50 mm |
| Green mussel (*Mytella speciosa*) | 50 mm |
| Large clam (*Polymesoda inflata*) | 60 mm |
Source: INCOPESCA Agreements AJDIP/026-2018; AJDIP/498-2019 2. Recruitment Index: number of individuals captured below the size limit.
3. Survival percentage: number of surviving individuals per month.
1- Mollusk Monitoring:
The extraction of mollusks from each plot will be carried out with the shellfish gatherers (molusqueros), who know the area in detail and are experienced. The shellfish gatherers (molusqueros) participating in the sampling will be instructed beforehand. A participatory, in-person process will be developed with groups of the shellfish gatherers (molusqueros), SINAC, and INCOPESCA, to provide induction, training, plot marking, data collection and subsequent analysis, and dissemination.
Two types of monitoring are required for this activity:
a- Biological data b- Annual assessment of the state of the mollusk population by sector.
a- Monitoring of Mollusk Biological Data.
To generate information on the biology of commercial mangrove mollusks, data will be collected for indicators that will generate records, which currently represent a gap in scientific information. Monitoring of different indicators provides information for the generation of knowledge about the species.
2 transects and 6 plots of 5m x 5m will be established; each transect consists of 3 plots. Work subgroups will be established for data collection of the different indicators.
The mollusks from each plot or quadrant will be placed in different bags, labeled with the number or code assigned to the transects and plots. Likewise, a label with the additional required information will be placed in each bag.
All mollusks found will be extracted from each sample unit, regardless of their size. Once the extraction day is finished, the mollusks will be transported to a suitable location for measurements.
Each individual will be weighed and its length and width measured; the data for each one will be recorded in the format provided by SINAC-INCOPESCA. The data analysis of the collections will be the responsibility of the Regent, who will process the information, systematize it into a report, and present it to the groups of shellfish gatherers (molusqueros) and the Institutions. 3 outings per month forming teams, 4 teams per group.
INDICATORS:
For the monitoring of Mollusk Biological Data, the indicators are the following:
i. The abundance of mollusk species (the number of individuals per unit area or volume).
ii. The diversity of mollusk species (the variety and richness of species present in the ecosystem).
iii. The distribution of mollusk species (the way they are arranged in space according to environmental conditions and available resources).
iv. The productivity of mollusk species (the amount of biomass they produce per unit of time).
v. The health status of mollusk species (the presence or absence of diseases, parasites, contaminants, or stress).
vi. The utilization (aprovechamiento) of mollusk species (the use given to them as a food, economic, or cultural resource).
vii. The impact of human activities on mollusk species (the alteration or loss of their habitat, overexploitation, the introduction of invasive species, or contamination).
viii. The biomass of mollusk species (the total weight of organisms per unit area or volume).
b- Assessment of the state of the mollusk population by sector It starts from the baseline of the 2022 ACT Mollusk Harvesting Plan (Plan de Aprovechamiento) and is required to understand the proportions of the populations.
The resource assessment will be carried out in accordance with the SINAC guide for the rapid assessment of piangua populations (2014) and the SINAC guide "Generation of the baseline for the elaboration of management plans for bivalve mollusks in mangrove wetlands and sandy-mud flats" (2018). The procedures and contents are based on Decreto Ejecutivo N° 39411-MINAE-MAG.
The sampling and measurement of morphometric parameters of pianguas, clams, and mussels will be carried out through field visits; between 9 and 15 plots per sector will be established in transects with 3 plots each, depending on the conditions of the mangrove, beach, and substrate.
In total, transects and their plots of 5m X 5m for piangua and razor mussel, and 1 m X 1 m for clams, large clams, and choras are sampled.
The mollusks from each plot or quadrant will be placed in different bags, labeled with the number or code assigned to the transects and plots. Likewise, a label with the additional required information will be placed in each bag.
All mollusks found will be extracted from each sample unit, regardless of their size. Once the extraction day is finished, the mollusks will be transported to a suitable location for measurements.
Each individual will be weighed and its length and width measured; the data for each one will be recorded in the format provided by SINAC-INCOPESCA.
The data analysis of the collections will be the responsibility of the Regent to process the information, systematize it into a report, and present it to the groups of shellfish gatherers (molusqueros) and the Institutions.
INDICATOR:
The Indicator used for this objective will be:
i. Population Status (the total weight of organisms per unit area or volume), from each plot in all sectors, of all individuals collected. 2- Mangrove Ecological Monitoring.
SINAC has an Ecological Protocol for Mangrove Monitoring (SINACUNA, 2020). For mangroves, there are twenty-three indicators that will serve to evaluate the state of this focal management element. However, for this Pilot Project, it is proposed to apply the Indicators listed below.
Considering the location of between 8 and 10 permanent plots per 100 hectares of Mangrove as an ideal condition, for the purposes of this project, the delimitation of two linear transects in a direction perpendicular to the physicochemical gradients is proposed, upon which 10 x 10 m plots will be conveniently distributed, with three 10m x 10m plots per transect. Both the transect and the plots will be georeferenced.
Information will be recorded from each plot according to the selected indicators, whose methodological description is found in the document "Ecological Protocol for Mangrove Monitoring":
MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGICAL MONITORING INDICATORS 1. Indicator 5. Estimation of Basal Area (See methodological detail in SINAC-UNA, 2020).
i. Species present. Each individual will be identified by a pre-numbered aluminum tag (coded).
ii. Measurement of the diameter at breast height of all species greater than 2.5 cm.
2. Indicator 6. Density of Core Species (See methodological detail in SINAC-UNA, 2020).
i. All individuals with DBH equal to or greater than 2.5 cm in each plot must be counted, considering the total number of individuals and per species, and divided by the total sampled area.
ii. The number of dead individuals and/or branches present within each plot must be noted.
3. Indicator 7. Estimation of the Complexity Index (See methodological detail in SINACUNA, 2020).
i. Estimate, with a clinometer, the total height of the tree from the base of the ground to the highest part of the crown.
4. Indicator 8. Estimation of the Importance Value (See methodological detail in SINAC- UNA, 2020).
5. Indicator 11. Presence of Core Flora (See methodological detail in SINAC-UNA, 2020).
i. Also called obligate halophytes, they are found in the intertidal zone due to their dependence on saline influences. The core flora will be identified at the time the structural measurements of each plot are taken.
6. Indicator 12. Presence of Marginal and Facultative Marginal Flora (See methodological detail in SINAC-UNA, 2020).
i. Identify the largest possible number of species in the field; in case they cannot be recognized, take photographs or samples to be evaluated in the laboratory. 7. Indicator 13. Gastropod Richness (See methodological detail in SINAC-UNA, 2020).
i. In the permanent plots, place four 1 m² quadrants for each 100 m² vegetation plot as indicated in Figure 7. Record the diversity and abundance of all gastropod species of the genera *Littoraria*, *Cerithidea*, and *Thaisella* found in them, both on the ground and on roots and trunks (Ashton et al. 2003; Irma & Sofyatuddin, 2012). Field identification can be done using the guide by Cruz & Jiménez (1994); in case the species cannot be recognized on site, samples must be taken to be evaluated in the laboratory using said guide.
8. Indicator 14. Crab Burrow Richness (See methodological detail in SINACUNA, 2020).
i. In the permanent plots, place four 1 m² quadrants for each 100 m² vegetation plot. Record the number of burrows present in each quadrant.
9. Indicator 15. Bird Presence (See methodological detail in SINAC-UNA, 2020).
10. Indicator 16. Mammal Presence (See methodological detail in SINAC-UNA, 2020). 11. Indicator 17. Solid Waste Frequency (See methodological detail in SINAC-UNA, 2020).
12. Indicator 18. Hydrocarbon Presence (See methodological detail in SINAC-UNA, 2020).
i. Take one sediment sample with a diameter of approximately 4.50 cm and a length of 14.50 cm (core sampler), for each of the plots. Then, the subsamples are frozen and subsequently sent to the UNA Chemistry Laboratory.
13. Indicator 21. Interstitial Water (See methodological detail in SINAC-UNA, 2020).
i. Place interstitial water sampling stations in each monitoring plot.
ii. Before extracting the water sample, the physicochemical parameters (pH, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, redox potential) must be taken and recorded, by introducing the multiparameter meter's electrodes into the tube (coordinate beforehand with the ASP-ACT Directorate for the loan of the multiparameter meter).
14. Indicator 23. Carbon Sequestration (See methodological detail in SINAC-UNA, 2020).
15. Additional Indicators: Organic matter and heavy metals.
i. Take two separate sediment samples with a diameter of approximately 4.50 cm and a length of 14.50 cm (core sampler), for each of the plots. Then, the subsamples are frozen and subsequently sent to the UNA Chemistry Laboratory.
See details in: SINAC-UNA. 2020. PRONAMEC Protocol: Protocol for Ecological Monitoring of Mangroves in Costa Rica. San José? Costa Rica. 119 pp.