Conservation of hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) in nursery areas located in the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica
The scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) is one of the most affected species by overfishing; in fact, nowadays, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List considers it as threatened, endangered. The scalloped hammerhead shark is a semi-pelagic and high migratory specie that pass its juvenile stage in coastal waters in nursery areas, where pups obtain food and protection from bigger depredators while they grow until they reach their sexual maturity. During the adult stage, scalloped hammerhead sharks migrate into pelagic waters and they congregate in oceanic islands, like Cocos Island, Malpelo, Galápagos, where Marine Protected Areas exist, giving protection to Sphyrna lewini´s adults.
Despite the scalloped hammerhead shark condition as an endangered species. In the present time Costa Rica doesn't have a plan for the conservation and management to protect the nursery areas in coastal waters, where pups and juveniles are very vulnerable because of their high natural mortality and the fisheries interaction. That`s why this project seeks to foster scalloped hammerhead sharks conservation in nursery areas in the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. In order to accomplish this goal, we will carry out educational activities, in coastal communities next to scalloped hammerhead shark`s nursery areas, and participative workshops with fisherman cooperatives or associations in order to elaborate effective management actions to reduce the scalloped hammerhead shark fishery mortality. This way, we seek to increase the juveniles survival and, as consequence, to improve the next reproductive adult population.
