Discovering Ecological Bonds: By tracking the movements of Scalloped Hammerheads we have found evidence of a vital biological connection between Golfo Dulce and the Waters Surrounding Cocos Island.
The Golfo Dulce, a tropical fjord located on the
Pacific coast of southern Costa Rica, plays a crucial role in sustaining numerous ecosystems. Our research indicates that this area serves as a vital nursery ground for the critically endangered scalloped hammerhead shark within the Eastern Tropical Pacific population.
Golfo Dulce
The Golfo Dulce, a tropical fjord located on the Pacific coast of southern Costa Rica, plays a crucial role in sustaining numerous ecosystems. Our research indicates that this area serves as a vital nursery ground for the critically endangered scalloped hammerhead shark within the Eastern Tropical Pacific population.
If we fail to protect the juveniles in their coastal breeding areas, we will not be able to guarantee the sustainability of the species.
We have been working in Golfo Dulce for over a decade. During this time, our scientific research has directly led to the establishment of the protection of the crucial wetlands of Golfo Dulce. As well as our research, during this time we have worked with government institutions, fisherman associations, and coastal communities to promote sustainable fishing management strategies and encourage the development of a blue economy.
We also acknowledge the importance of future generations and actively engage and inspire young marine biologists and conservationists, ensuring the enduring pursuit of our marine conservation goals.
A Decade of
Scientific Research
Watch our team at
work at Golfo Dulce
Studying Sharks and Rays
Populations
Educating New
Generations
Training Communities and Government Institutions
Promoting a
Blue Economy
Volunteering
PROJECT
Tiger Shark
PROJECT
Identifying and protecting critical coastal areas for the scalloped hammerhead shark.
Hammerhead Shark
PROJECT
Hammerhead Shark
PROJECT
Satellite tagging program - possible critical habitat in the external zone of the Golfo Dulce for the specie.
Tiger Shark
Our Work in Coastal Communities
Satellite tagging program – identification of a possible critical habitat in the external zone of Golfo Dulce for the species.
Identifying and protecting critical coastal areas for the scalloped hammerhead shark.
Studying Sharks and Rays
Populations
Educating New
Generations
Training Communities and
Government Institutions
Promoting a
Blue Economy
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary - Golfo Dulce
In May 2018, the Costa Rican government declared the wetlands of Golfo Dulce a protected Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary.
In May 2018, the Costa Rican government
declared the wetlands of Golfo Dulce a protected Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary.
The aim is to protect the wetlands, including mangroves, which are used as a nursery area by the scalloped hammerhead shark.
In this way, the Sanctuary protects critical coastal habitats whilst also promoting socio-economic activities that foster a blue economy in local communities, all with the support of the government, NGOs, the tourism sector, and private companies.
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Hammerhead Shark
For decades, the research and conservation efforts for the scalloped
hammerhead shark population of the Eastern Tropical Pacific were focused on oceanic islands (specifically Cocos Island, Malpelo, Galapagos), where adults congregate in the cleaning station. Despite these efforts, the population continued to decline. In order to attempt to stem the population loss of the species, in 2010 we started this project to identify and protect critical coastal areas for the scalloped hammerhead shark.
"Sphyrna lewini"
The scalloped hammerhead shark is one of the species most affected by overfishing and shark finning. It is threatened by human activities, including targeted fishing and as bycatch in fisheries and is consequentially classed as critically endangered by the IUCN.
Sphyrna lewini is a migratory species. Neonates and juveniles live in nursery areas located in the coastal waters of estuaries, bays and mangroves, where nutrient rich waters provide food and protection from predators. Although the scalloped hammerhead shark has been protected for decades in oceanic islands, there has historically been considerably less of a conservation effort in coastal and nursery areas. Nursery areas are critical habitats for the species and their protection is essential to guarantee the sustainability of this critically endangered species. Misión Tiburón research identified an important nursery area for the scalloped hammerhead shark in Golfo Dulce, and described the shark’s use of this crucial habitat. Thanks to this successful program, we are able to study the habitat use and residence of Sphyrna lewini in Golfo Dulce and the migration routes to Cocos Island and other coastal areas of Costa Rica.
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We have started a satellite tagging program in Golfo Dulce and so far we have identified a possible critical habitat in the external zone of the gulf
for the species.
Tiger Shark
We have started a satellite tagging program in
Golfo Dulce and so far we have identified a possible
critical habitat in the external zone of the gulf
for the species.
"Galeocerdo cuvier"
It is often found close to the coast, mainly in tropical and subtropical waters. Adults tiger sharks visit Isla del Coco, especially during the rainy season.
It is considered another emblematic species for the region of the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
"Robert Swan"
The greatest threat
to our planet is the
belief that someone
else will save it.
The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.
"Robert Swan"
Success
The importance of Golfo Dulce as a nursery area has been recognized on national and international levels. In 2019, Mission Blue declared Golfo Dulce a "Hope Spot". Misión Tiburón also received the Whitley Award for its work on the identification of the importance of and the preliminary protection of Golfo Dulce.
The importance of Golfo Dulce as a nursery area
has been recognized on national and international levels. In 2019, Mission Blue declared Golfo Dulce a "Hope Spot". Misión Tiburón also received the Whitley Award for its work on the identification of the importance of and the preliminary protection of
Golfo Dulce.
navigate_beforenavigate_nextMisión Tiburón is a winner of the 2022 St Andrews Prize for the Environment, for our community-based project to protect and restore blue carbon sinks. Misión Tiburón received a $100,000 cash prize to further their efforts in the Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary in Costa Rica. The St Andrews Prize for the Environment is a major international initiative led by the University of St Andrews that recognises and supports innovative and inspirational responses to environmental challenges, including the climate crisis. It is overseen by the Master of the United College, Professor Ineke De Moortel FRAS FRSE.
Misión Tiburón is a winner of the 2022 St Andrews Prize for the Environment, for our community-based project to protect and restore blue carbon sinks. Misión Tiburón received a $100,000 cash prize to further their efforts in the Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary in Costa Rica.
The St Andrews Prize for the Environment is a major international initiative led by the University of St Andrews that recognises and supports innovative and inspirational responses to environmental challenges, including the climate crisis. It is overseen by the Master of the United College, Professor Ineke De Moortel FRAS FRSE.
St Andrews Prize - 2022 Winner
Community-based winner project to protect and restore blue carbon sinks in the Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary, Costa Rica
navigate_beforenavigate_nextIn May 2018, the Costa Rica government created the Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary Golfo Dulce, with an area of 4210.3 hectares, in order to protect the wetlands used as a nursery area by the scalloped hammerhead shark. In February 2019, Mission Blue - an international non-profit - declared Golfo Dulce a “Hope Spot” in support of the establishment of official protection from the Costa Rican government to prevent the illegal fishing of scalloped hammerheads (Sphyrna lewini) in the gulf.
Hope Spot Declared at Golfo Dulce Costa Rica in Support of Nursery for Critically Endangered Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks
Hope Spot Champion
navigate_beforenavigate_nextWhitley Awards - Winner Project
Ilena Zanella - Strengthened Sanctuary for the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, 2019 Awards
Winner of 2019 Whitley Awards: the award recognized Misión Tiburón´s work carried out during one decade in Golfo Dulce. The work included the identification and protection of the scalloped hammerhead shark’s nursery area, as well as the declaration of the Shark Sanctuary.
The Whitley Fund for Nature is a fundraising and grant-giving nature conservation charity offering recognition, training and grants to support the work of proven grassroots conservation leaders across the Global South.
The future of
humanity and indeed
all life on Earth,
depends on us.
"David Attenborough"
The future of humanity and indeed all life on Earth, depends on us.
"David Attenborough"
Golfo Dulce is one of only four tropical fjords
in the world. This makes it a unique ecosystem with special geomorphological features.
Golfo Dulce is one of only four tropical fjords in the world. This makes it a unique ecosystem with special geomorphological features.
Golfo Dulce is located in the Eastern Tropical Pacific in the south of Costa Rica, in the province of Puntarenas, and has an area of 700km2. The tropical fjord of Golfo Dulce has very special geomorphological features, which make it one of the few low-circulation systems described for tropical areas of the world. Golfo Dulce is approximately 50km in length and 10-15km wide, with an effective sill of about 60 m. Inner basin waters are just over 200m in depth. Golfo Dulce is surrounded by rainforest, mangrove ecosystems and sandy beaches, and is considered a unique ecosystem due to the rarity of tropical fjords in the world.
Golfo Dulce is located in the Eastern Tropical Pacific in the south of Costa Rica, in the province of Puntarenas, and has an area of 700km2. The tropical fjord of Golfo Dulce has very special geomorphological features, which make it one of the few low-circulation systems described for tropical areas of the world.
Golfo Dulce is approximately 50km in length and 10-15km wide, with an effective sill of about 60 m. Inner basin waters are just over 200m in depth. Golfo Dulce is surrounded by rainforest, mangrove ecosystems and sandy beaches, and is considered a unique ecosystem due to the rarity of tropical fjords in the world.
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