At the national level, fisherwomen from coasts, seas, rivers, wetlands, and other ecosystems are often not recognized, valued, or encouraged in ways that would strengthen their contributions to biodiversity conservation and restoration. They lack access to participation in policymaking, particularly on the national agenda. Despite offering significant input and efforts toward sustainable management plans that incorporate their traditional knowledge, the implementation of these plans is often lacking, as seen with the Chomes mollusk-gathering women. Furthermore, Costa Rica’s national development agenda focuses on blue growth (blue economy), which threatens food sovereignty, culture, and the sustainable livelihoods of mangrove-dependent women by promoting large-scale aquaculture developments.

There is a pressing need to encourage restoration efforts and improve working conditions for women in their sustainable use of biological resources.

This project aims to revitalize the efforts of CoopeMolusChomes R.L. over the past 15 years in conserving and restoring the mangrove ecosystem and enhancing the well-being of women and girls in coastal and marine communities. Many of these initiatives are part of a management plan developed with the traditional knowledge of women mollusk gatherers. Proposed restoration processes include defining no-take areas for mollusk juveniles, establishing adequate commercial sizes for mollusks, and protecting mangroves from pollution and unsustainable practices by outsiders.

Nationally, this project will bolster gender equity in the Responsible Fishing Marine Areas and Marine Territories of Life Network, introducing new practices and creating new opportunities for learning and collaboration. Additionally, this case study from Costa Rica can be showcased internationally, demonstrating the crucial role of women in biodiversity conservation and restoration and serving as an adaptable model for other contexts.