the national monument of which it is a part was the brainchild of the rio islands project, an team of professionals associated with the ngo mar adentro with the goal of creating a comprehensive program of scientific research, environmental education and social mobilization in respect to the islands and greater marine ecosystem in the rio area.  

the latter aspects of the program are integral to its success because the conserved area around each island only extends to a radius of ten meters in the surrounding water.