After several years of planning, it looks like Coco’s long-awaited marina project is
set to begin construction within the next year. The ¢922 million (US$2.94
million) project promises to give a big boost to Coco’s economy,
benefiting commercial and sport fishing, the tourism industry, local businesses
and residents alike. It should also help clean up a beach area that has long
suffered from environmental decay.
The Association for the Development of the Marina of Coco (ASODEMAC), a group of
businessmen led by veteran Coco resident Mike Bragg, will build the marina, with
the full backing of the municipality of Carrillo. It will be located at the
southwest end of Playa del Coco, between Mata de Palo point and Playa Blanca. It
will include a floating jetty supported by tires and fixed to the sea floor with
chains and two platforms with reinforced concrete that will house receivers for
fish, facilities for ice, fuel and water as well as food, beverage and
entertainment establishments. Craft and souvenir shops, provision stores, supply
warehouses, outdoor kiosks and green areas will line the platforms. Developers
will also build a quay to house some 350 marine craft, a dry jetty for boat
maintenance, and offices for immigration, security, port captaincies and other
marina functions.
ASOCEMAC
maintains that Coco is losing too much potential fishing catch for want of a
modern marina. Commercial and sport fishermen bring in about 250,000 tons of
marine life monthly, generating ¢250 million. That represents only 20% of the
potential market, however. Most fishermen currently prefer to rely on
better-equipped Puntarenas.
Aside
from fishermen, tourism managers, packers and exporters, local merchants and
borrowers of services stand to profit as well, say the developers. The marina
also should create jobs. Unemployment in Coco is about 20%.
Mike
Bragg believes the marina is an absolute necessity to the progress of the area
and has visited marinas worldwide in the effort to design a facility that can
make Coco a key, environmentally sound port.
In
the first year of construction, the developers plan to build the 700-meter
floating jetty and platform A. Platform B will be built in the second year. In
addition, ASOCEMAC expects to sell concession rights for both platforms over a
12-16 month period. In the third year, the plan is to build the concrete
breakwater and begin tourism development, which includes beach cleanup and
creating a boulevard, parking lots and recreational areas.
By
Marci Baker Journalist,
Costa Rica Travel Magazine, December 2000 |
