Jeff Bezos allocates USD 24.5 million to protect key marine areas in the Tropical Eastern Pacific

The Bezos Earth Fund announced a new donation of USD 24.5 million in grants to strengthen the protection of key marine areas in the Tropical Eastern Pacific, including the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary in Colombia.

This allocation nearly doubles the Fund’s total investment in the region, which now exceeds USD 60 million.

Investment Objectives

The resources will be allocated to:

• Support rangers, coastal communities, and local organizations.
• Strengthen security and planning in the water.
• Expand community protection in breeding habitats.
• Enhance applied conservation science in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador.

Since 2021, these countries have designated more than 400,000 km² of new protected marine areas, tripling regional protection. Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia already protect more than 30% of their national waters, while Ecuador has expanded protection in critical areas.

Statements and Regional Vision

Tom Taylor, president of the Fund since July 2025, highlighted that these waters are home to endangered turtles, tuna schools, and thousands of hammerhead sharks.

He emphasized that the goal is to promote the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor as the world’s first transboundary Marine Biosphere Reserve, demonstrating that lasting conservation is possible when nations work together.

Specific Grants

USD 13.85 million to re:wild: an organization founded by scientists and Leonardo DiCaprio, supporting coastal nurseries and local communities. In Colombia, it will work with Fondo Acción, administrator of the country’s first debt-for-nature swap, key in creating the endowment account for the Malpelo Sanctuary.

USD 1 million to MigraMar: a scientific authority on migratory species. In Malpelo, they monitor hammerhead sharks through visual censuses, acoustic tags, and remote underwater cameras (BRUVS).

USD 4 million to Global Fishing Watch: for smarter patrols with access to satellite information and real-time planning tools.

USD 5.65 million to WildAid: for equipment and training of park rangers, strengthening the fight against illegal fishing in the Colombian Pacific.

Expeditions and Applied Science

In 2024, Fondo Acción led the “Sustainable Pacific Expedition” alongside Colombia’s National Natural Parks and other entities. They investigated carbon capture and climate change in protected marine areas, with findings such as:

• More than 65 million tons of stored carbon in certain months.
• Critical temperature variations for ecosystems and fishing.

Additional Scientific Efforts

The expedition also focused on mapping key habitats for endangered species and assessing coral reef health. These efforts help policymakers and local communities prioritize areas for protection and restoration. Satellite imagery and AI modeling were used to predict potential impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity, allowing for early intervention.

The Role of the Bezos Earth Fund

Since its launch in 2020, the Fund has donated more than USD 1.8 billion, as part of Jeff Bezos’s commitment to contribute USD 10 billion in 10 years to combat climate change. Its portfolio includes projects in Colombia such as Herencia Colombia, the Pacific marine corridor, and the CIAT Future Seeds Bank in Palmira.

Colombian-American scientist Christian Samper, former director of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington and the Wildlife Conservation Society, has led the Fund’s environmental portfolio since 2022. His role has been key in allocating resources for Colombian biodiversity.

The new investment from the Bezos Fund reinforces the protection of unique marine ecosystems and strengthens regional cooperation between Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador.

With initiatives ranging from scientific monitoring to ranger training, the project aims to ensure that emblematic species such as hammerhead sharks and sea turtles continue to find refuge in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

Public Awareness and Future Plans

The Fund also plans to expand public engagement campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation. By showcasing success stories and sharing real-time data on protected areas, the initiative aims to inspire global support and encourage other nations to adopt similar transboundary conservation models. Future projects will include restoration of mangroves and seagrass beds to enhance carbon capture and biodiversity resilience.

Tags: Colombia Conservation, Fauna. Flora, Marine protected areas, Bezos Earth, Jeff Bezos, #JeffBezos, Amazon, Amazon CEO