Towards Marine Democracy and Justice in the Panamanian Blue Economy

In Panama, many grave challenges continue at the marine environmental blue economy nexus. Specifically, where fisheries, aquaculture and conservation management intercede. In the context of the freshly minted fisheries and aquaculture law, being consulted on in 2021 and 2022 by the Authority of Aquatic resources (ARAP, 2021), this article shows through a series of case studies how the sustainable use and protection of coastal ecosystems can emerge. Contemporarily, there remains a gaping lack of spatial and conservation planning in Panama. At the same time, pressure for growth makes finding the balance ever more important. This research shows that open access fishing problems continue, conflict between small scale and industrial fishing, Panama Canal port development impacts, destruction of coral reefs and nascent aquaculture planning. After examining these issues, the article presents a deepening of marine democracy to resolve these problems, showing how a participatory system where stakeholder local ecological knowledge and perceptions are considered is essential to socio-ecological health.