AGP Executive Report

New World screwworm threat: Texas cattle producers are being urged to stay vigilant as confirmed cases climb (with meetings in Hallettsville and Goliad highlighting quarantine steps and early detection). Wildlife health & prevention: Coverage explains how the flesh-eating larvae target warm-blooded animals and why sterile-fly releases and rapid reporting matter. Panama-linked conservation angle: The outbreak is tied to the pest’s wider Western Hemisphere spread, with earlier detections linked to containment challenges in the region. Regional disaster response: Venezuela’s twin earthquakes have killed hundreds more, with international rescue teams including Panama already on the ground. Marine conservation: A report questions whether ship-speed rules protecting North Atlantic right whales are still enough, raising new concerns for the critically endangered species. Local climate impacts: A separate weather update notes extreme heat disruptions in Sheffield as conditions shift into the weekend.

Venezuela Earthquakes Response: Back-to-back quakes have devastated northern Venezuela, with death toll reports rising past 900 and rescue teams from multiple countries already mobilized; Panama’s president also dispatched Sinaproc and rescue personnel, while WFP says regional depots in Panama and the Caribbean are ready to scale food support. Marine Wildlife Safety: NOAA is questioning whether ship-speed rules meant to protect North Atlantic right whales are still enough, as vessel strikes remain a threat to the critically endangered animals. Invasive Livestock Pest Watch: Texas officials and partners are urging ranchers to stay alert as New World screwworm spreads, with guidance and updated maps pushed to producers. Shipping Risk in the Strait of Hormuz: Most vessels are now avoiding the formal IMO lane, forcing compliance teams to rethink how routing rules are used for risk checks. Biodiversity Recovery Effort: Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance reintroduced boreal toad tadpoles into a historic alpine breeding site to help reverse declines linked to chytrid fungus. Panama Canal Operations: Panama conducted dry chamber maintenance on the Gatun Locks to keep the canal running safely and efficiently.

Ocean Conservation Pledges: The Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa wrapped up with $6.4 billion in voluntary commitments, including plans to expand marine protected areas, improve fisheries monitoring, and scale blue economy work, with Kenya leading a push backed by more than $1 billion. Wildlife Rescue in Panama: ZooTampa hatched critically endangered Panamanian Golden Frogs, reviving a species once wiped out in the wild by habitat loss and chytrid fungus, using a Species Survival Plan to rebuild populations. Panama Canal Operations: Panama carried out dry chamber maintenance at the Gatun Locks to keep the canal running safely and efficiently. Marine Protection Policy: Spain advanced a draft law aimed at tightening control, inspection, and sanctions for maritime fishing, arguing that better transparency is key to stopping illegal fishing and protecting marine biodiversity. Climate & Heat Risks: A major heatwave drove red heat alerts in parts of south-east England and flood warnings in Scotland, underscoring how extreme weather is stressing ecosystems and communities.

New World screwworm threat: Texas officials report the flesh-eating parasite is spreading, with confirmed cases rising and new detections tied to livestock and wildlife risk—prompting tighter containment and regional coordination. Regional animal-health cooperation: A Central America and Mexico meeting—including Panama—agreed to strengthen New World screwworm control and residue monitoring, linking veterinary medicine oversight with food safety and sustainable livestock production. Panama biodiversity win: ZooTampa hatched critically endangered Panamanian Golden Frogs as part of a Species Survival Plan to rebuild populations after chytrid fungus and habitat loss drove the species extinct in the wild. Coastal protection vs development: A community fight in Ecuador highlights how proposed coastal seawalls could destroy ancient sea turtle nesting sites, threatening olive ridley and hawksbill survival. Maritime safety: The UN’s IMO paused its Strait of Hormuz evacuation plan after a vessel attack, underscoring how conflict and shipping risks ripple into ocean and coastal systems.

Disaster Response: Venezuela declared a state of emergency after back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes near Morón, with at least 32 dead and 700 injured as collapsed buildings and aftershocks complicate rescue efforts; Caracas’s main airport was closed and tsunami advisories were issued. Regional Solidarity: Multiple countries, including the US and Panama, pledged support and assistance as the death toll was expected to rise. Panama Link: The quake coverage highlights Panama’s immediate role in international outreach, while broader regional cooperation themes also surfaced at the OAS meeting in Panama. Biodiversity & Tech: A conservation piece points to AI helping bird surveys in Panama’s Parita Bay mangroves, where migratory birds depend on healthy coastal habitat. Biosecurity Watch: The “New World screwworm” outbreak in the US raises spillover concerns for wildlife and livestock, underscoring the need for monitoring and rapid response across the region.

El Niño & Panama Canal Risk: A forecast warns that a strengthening “super El Niño” could bring drought to Central America, lowering water levels and potentially forcing Panama Canal shipping limits later this year. Invasive Livestock Threat: New World screwworm cases keep expanding in the U.S., with officials pointing to gaps in monitoring and containment that began years earlier in the region, including Panama-linked sterile-fly production. AI for Bird Conservation (Panama angle): Researchers say AI is speeding up bird surveys by turning huge streams of recordings and images into faster conservation insights—highlighting the kind of habitat monitoring Panama’s biodiversity depends on. Blue Economy Knowledge Hub: The Caribbean launched an open-access Blue Economy Knowledge Hub with Panama among participating countries, aiming to share fisheries, aquaculture, and marine planning tools. Ocean Pollution Lesson: A study on floating litter in Chesapeake Bay reinforces how single-use plastics harm coastal ecosystems and wildlife—useful context for Panama’s own mangroves and coasts.

Panama Canal & climate risk: NOAA warns a potentially historic El Niño could renew pressure on the Panama Canal, with lower rainfall threatening water levels and transit capacity. Regional blue economy: The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), with FAO and CAF, launched an open-access Caribbean blue economy knowledge hub including Panama, aiming to share fisheries and marine planning tools across countries. Panama governance & conservation safeguards: Panama’s Ombudsman warns prisoner transfers to Coiba could compromise UNESCO World Heritage status, as Panama moves high-risk inmates to the island amid UNESCO concerns. Wildlife health threat: Texas officials say rodents and other small wildlife may be linked to the spread of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating pest that could worsen without stronger containment. Security funding across the Americas: Canada announced $35M for Caribbean security and anti-violence efforts, including support for Haiti’s National Police and hurricane recovery in Jamaica. OECS-Panama trade push: OECS leaders are urged to pursue a bolder partnership with Panama, highlighting the Canal and Colón Free Zone as levers for lower costs and expanded trade.

Panama Canal Operations: Panama conducted dry chamber maintenance at the Gatun Locks to keep the canal safe and efficient, a reminder that critical infrastructure upkeep is still a conservation issue when climate and extreme weather pressure waterways. Wildlife Health Threat: The “new world screwworm” is spreading in the U.S., with USDA confirming additional cases in Texas and ramping up containment—an urgent livestock and ecosystem risk that Panama’s region-wide biosecurity efforts can’t ignore. Regional Security & Disasters: Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced $35M for Caribbean security and anti-violence work tied to Haiti’s gang crisis, plus recovery support after Hurricane Melissa—stability matters for protecting habitats and food systems. Climate Risk Awareness: A new survey maps a “climate perception gap,” showing many people underestimate how much others also see climate change as a serious threat—useful for building public support for resilience in Panama and beyond. OAS in Panama: Serbia’s Đurić used the OAS session in Panama to stress multilateral cooperation for cross-border problems, reinforcing the policy backdrop for environmental action.

Panama Canal Maintenance: The Panama Canal is running a nine-day dry-chamber inspection in the Gatun Locks (gates 33–34, east lane) to detect and fix leaks, cut water losses, and check corrosion protection—keeping vessel transits running while improving reliability. New World Screwworm Watch: The USDA confirmed three more New World screwworm cases in Texas, bringing the total to 15, and said sterile-fly releases are expanding—citing a facility in Panama already producing 100 million sterile flies weekly and a second in Mexico expected to add another 100 million per week. Regional Trade Push with Panama: OECS incoming chair Gaston Browne urged a stronger, more strategic partnership with Panama to expand trade and reduce costs, pointing to the Canal and the Colón Free Trade Zone as key gateways for the Caribbean. Conservation Angle on Biodiversity Threats: The screwworm updates matter for wildlife and livestock health across the region, as officials noted they are monitoring for detections in wildlife even though none have been found so far.

Wildlife Health Watch: The USDA confirmed three more New World screwworm cases in Texas, bringing the total to 15, and said sterile-fly releases are being scaled up with a second facility in Mexico planned to add another 100 million sterile flies per week. Regional Diplomacy & Environment: At the OAS General Assembly in Panama, the OAS launched a collaboration platform with the private sector aimed at turning dialogue into action, with panels including energy, critical resources, and biodiversity—and a dedicated discussion on the Panama Canal as a trade and integration hub. Conservation & Fisheries Enforcement: At Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya and the U.S. agreed to visa restrictions targeting people linked to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, alongside a major maritime security commitment. Panama Governance Risk: Panama’s Ombudsman warned that transferring prisoners to Coiba could jeopardize UNESCO World Heritage status, as Panama moved high-risk inmates to the island prompting renewed UNESCO concern. Invasive Species Alert (Broader): Texas also launched a new screwworm information tracker for residents, reflecting how fast the outbreak is spreading beyond the border.

Coiba National Park Under UNESCO Pressure: Panama’s Ombudsman warned that transferring 29 high-risk inmates to buildings at the Teniente Nelson Tenas naval station inside Coiba National Park could jeopardize the site’s UNESCO World Heritage status, arguing the move conflicts with the legal framework that ended the prison and required transfers out within set timelines. Cobre Panamá Mine Audit: Panama’s environment ministry released an independent audit of the Donoso copper operation, saying it was “broadly compliant” at about 88% but flagging fixable gaps and major future risks tied to acid rock drainage, tailings dam stability, and biodiversity/habitat restoration—leaving the mine’s restart politically and environmentally contested. New Screwworm Response Effort: Texas launched an enhanced public tracker and resources after New World screwworm detections in Texas and New Mexico, aiming to protect livestock and wildlife as the flesh-eating parasite spreads. Regional Diplomacy in Panama: The OAS General Assembly opened in Panama with dozens of delegations, putting hemispheric security, democracy, and organized crime on the agenda and underscoring Panama’s role as a key convening hub. Ocean Conservation Push: Fiji and Panama helped launch a global initiative focused on protecting the ocean’s “twilight zone,” adding momentum to marine conservation beyond coastal waters.

Coiba Prison Transfer Sparks UNESCO Alarm: Panama’s Ombudsman says moving 29 high-risk inmates to Coiba’s Teniente Nelson Tenas station could jeopardize the UNESCO World Heritage status, pointing to the 2004 Coiba National Park law that required prison buildings to be phased out and managed under environmental authority rules. Cobre Panamá Audit Raises Restart Hopes (and New Environmental Questions): A final independent SGS audit found the idled Donoso mine “broadly compliant” at about 88%, but flagged fixable gaps plus serious future risks tied to biodiversity restoration, tailings dam stability, acid rock drainage, and sediment control—keeping the mine’s restart under a cloud. Ocean Protection Push: Fiji and Panama helped launch the Mesopelagic Zone Conservation Challenge, urging concrete steps to protect the “twilight zone” (200–1,000 meters deep) from fishing and deep-sea mining while improving knowledge of this poorly understood ecosystem. New Screwworm Tracker for U.S. Outbreak Threat: Texas launched a one-stop website to help residents identify and report New World screwworm after detections in Texas and New Mexico, aiming to protect livestock, wildlife, and rural communities. Panama Research Capacity Boost: INDICASAT and the University of Panama announced a new collaboration to strengthen biomedical research and training, supporting Panama’s science and innovation ecosystem.

Coiba Prison Transfer Sparks UNESCO Alarm: Panama’s Ombudsman and Defensoría del Pueblo warned that moving 29 high-risk inmates to pre-existing facilities on Coiba Island could jeopardize the UNESCO World Heritage status of Coiba National Park, citing the 2004 law that required the prison to end and the area to revert to environmental authority control. Cobre Panamá Audit Update: Panama’s environment ministry received an independent SGS audit for the Donoso open-pit mine, finding the project “broadly compliant” at about 88% but flagging major future risks—especially acid rock drainage, tailings dam stability, and biodiversity and habitat restoration—while officials say there are no “insurmountable” structural failures. Screwworm Response Grows Across the Americas: The IAEA and FAO launched a nuclear-technology project using the sterile insect technique to help contain the New World screwworm resurgence after cases reappeared in Central America, Mexico, and the U.S., with Panama’s COPEG facility producing about 100 million sterile flies weekly and plans to expand capacity in Mexico and Texas. Ocean Conservation Push: Fiji and Panama helped launch the Mesopelagic Zone Conservation Challenge to protect the “twilight zone” (200–1,000 meters deep) from threats like fishing and deep-sea mining, calling for concrete protections and better study of this poorly understood ecosystem.

Coiba National Park Prison Transfer: Panama’s Ombudsman warned that moving 29 high-risk inmates to the Teniente Nelson Tenas station on Coiba could jeopardize UNESCO World Heritage status, citing Coiba’s legal framework and deadlines for ending prison use. Donoso Copper Mine Audit: A final independent audit of Cobre Panamá found the project about 88% compliant but flagged serious environmental weak spots—acid rock drainage risk, tailings dam stability concerns, and biodiversity and restoration gaps—keeping the mine’s future highly contested. Mesopelagic “Twilight Zone” Push: Fiji and Panama helped launch the Mesopelagic Zone Conservation Challenge to protect ocean life 200–1,000 meters down, targeting threats like fishing and deep-sea mining while improving knowledge and safeguards. New World Screwworm Response: International agencies (IAEA/FAO) launched nuclear-technology research to curb the resurgent flesh-eating screwworm, noting Panama’s COPEG facility produces about 100 million sterile flies weekly while expansions in Mexico and Texas are planned. Rainforest Youth & Music in Sarawak: Panama climate activist Diwigdi Valiente is among speakers at Malaysia’s Rainforest Youth Summit and Rainforest World Music Festival, spotlighting youth-led sustainability and conservation action.

Ocean Conservation: Fiji and Panama helped launch the Mesopelagic Zone Conservation Challenge, aiming to protect the “twilight zone” (200–1,000 meters deep) from threats like fishing and deep-sea mining, while filling major knowledge gaps about this carbon- and food-web–critical layer. Biodiversity & Food Webs: The initiative highlights how safeguarding mesopelagic life supports ocean health and helps lock away carbon. Wildlife Health & Agriculture: The New World screwworm is spreading again, with Georgia farmers on alert after confirmations in Texas and New Mexico, raising concerns for calving season and livestock, pets, and wildlife. Nuclear Tech for Pest Control: The IAEA and FAO launched a $1 million nuclear-technology project using the sterile insect technique, noting Panama’s COPEG facility produces about 100 million sterile flies weekly while expansions in Mexico and Texas are planned. Fisheries Governance: At the Our Ocean Conference, 14–15 countries adopted the Mombasa Declaration to push fisheries transparency and fight illegal fishing, with Panama among the endorsers.

Screwworm Response in the Americas: UN agencies (IAEA and FAO) launched a $1 million nuclear-technology project to curb the New World screwworm resurgence, warning that up to 600 million sterile flies a week may be needed and noting Panama’s COPEG facility is currently producing about 100 million. Panama Mining Oversight: Panama’s government received the final comprehensive audit report for the Cobre Panamá open-pit mine in Donoso, with officials saying it found broad compliance but flagged areas needing improvement, including biodiversity and ecological restoration. Ocean Governance Push: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, countries including Panama backed stronger fisheries transparency to fight illegal fishing, emphasizing better vessel data access and enforcement. Panama Canal Climate Risk: NOAA warned that a strengthening El Niño could become among the strongest on record, raising the odds of drought that could disrupt Panama Canal operations, after the ACP already reduced Neopanamax draft limits as a precaution. Local Procurement Watch: Panama’s public procurement directorate suspended a $967,626 Tocumen tender for solid waste management after a company challenged the specifications.