In the Spring of 2004 UF Law student Alan Hawkins enrolled in the UF Law Conservation Clinic and commenced distance work with the Costa Rica NGO Mar Viva on a project to promote the creation of a four nation marine biological corridor. The ambitious governmentally sanctioned project would extend from the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador to Isla del Cocos in Costa Rica, a vast system of sea mountains, oceanic currents and migratory pelagics shared by Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica. In the Summer of 2004 Hawkins enrolled in the University of Florida/University of Costa Rica Joint Program in Environmental Law in San Jose, Costa Rica where he was joined by University of Maryland graduate student and Colombian national Viviana Morra, UCR Master's in Environmental Law students José Luis Obando, Panamanian lawyer and Joint Program student Mayte González and Ecuadorian lawyer and Joint Program student Patricio Hernández. Under the supervision of the Joint Program Clinic/Consultorio the team worked with Mar Viva attorney Vicky Cajiao on a detailed comparative analysis of the legal framework for a transnational marine biological corridor, including recommendations. Hawkins remained in Costa Rica for the Fall 2004 Semester through an accredited UF Law externship with the Consultorio to continue its work with Mar Viva.

Resources:

• A Comparative Analysis of Legislation of the Marine Biological Corridor of the Eastern Tropical Pacific
• Matrix of Relevant International Legal Instruments Associated with the Eastern Pacific Marine Biological Corridor
• Matrix of Relevant Sub-regional Legal Instruments Associated with the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Biological Corridor
• Matrix of Constitutional Provisions and Relevant Sectoral Legislation Associated with the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Biological Corridor
• Matrix of National Institutions and their Competence Associated with the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Biological Corridor