Local groups drive creation of new Puerto Rico marine protected area
The marine protected area (MPA), named Jardines Submarinos de Vega Baja y ManatĂ or the Vega Baja and ManatĂ Underwater Gardens, spans 77 square miles and is the culmination of a 16-year effort by ÂÂa coalition of local communities and NGOs. It’s comprised of several critically important ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds, and is home to more than a dozen threatened species, including the greater Caribbean manatee and several species of sea turtles.