The British Government (DEFRA)  funded a three year project ending in March 2008 and which was known as the Darwin Initiative.  The project  focussed on researching and developing the marine biodiversity in the Las Perlas Archipelago and was administered by Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama .  The results were highly successful and amongst other things led to the creation of a huge marine national park in and around the Las Perlas Archipelago - this was approved by the Panamanian Government in May 2007.

In connection with the project, education material and leaflets  were produced for schools and local community to promote awareness of the importance of protecting and managing the Archipelago's marine natural and commercial resources, thereby educating fishermen, children and the community at large.

Although additional funding for more work on this particular project was not available for 2008 the UK is still strongly committed to tackling environmental problems at an international level.  Climate Change is one of the key objectives for the British Government.  And hence, we are supporting important projects aimed at saving species and ecosystems around the world.  The British Embassy has additionally supported other projects in Panama, such as tagging and tracking turtles, and sonar scanning of the marine habitat to explore the affect of climate change and to assist in protecting and conserving the rich marine biodiversity in Panamanian waters.