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golfo dulce Why Golfo Dulce Our Success Campaigns Shark Sanctuary What we do arrow_forward_ios arrow_forward_ios golfo dulce Why Golfo Dulce Our Success Campaigns Shark Sanctuary What we do ©Edward Herreno

Slide Additionally, by tracking the movement of the scalloped hammerheads, we have found evidence for a biological connection between Golfo Dulce and the waters surrounding Cocos Island for the species. The Golfo Dulce is a tropical fjord found on the
Pacific coast of southern Costa Rica and plays a hugely vital role in sustaining a vast number of ecosystems. In particular, our research suggests that the area is an important nursery ground for the Eastern Tropical Pacific population of the critically endangered scalloped hammerhead shark.
Golfo Dulce The Golfo Dulce is a tropical fjord found on the Pacific coast of southern Costa Rica and plays a hugely vital role in sustaining a vast number of ecosystems. In particular, our research suggests that the area is an important nursery ground for the Eastern Tropical Pacific population of the critically endangered scalloped hammerhead shark.

Slide

Slide If we are not protecting the juveniles in their breeding areas - located on the coast, we are not guarantee the sustainability of the species.

Slide 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 recognise the importance of the next generations and continue to involve and inspire young marine biologists and conservationists to ensure the longevity of our marine conservation aims.
A Decade of
Scientific Research
Watch our team at
work at Golfo Dulce

Slide 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

Slide 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.

Slide ©Rolbin Garcia Slide ©Edwar Herreno Slide ©Enrique Uribe The Sanctuary represents a new model of governance for Costa Rica, and for the region. It recognises the importance of Golfo Dulce for supporting the different stages of the life cycle of the scalloped hammerhead shark whilst emphasizing the key role of coastal communities for its conservation.

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. 
navigate_before navigate_next

Slide 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.
navigate_before navigate_next

Slide Nursery Area Mangrove Protection The protection of mangrove ecosystems brings powerful benefits for global climate action. They are “blue carbon” reservoirs; act as natural barriers against floods and hurricanes; and are nursery areas for all the food chain - contributing to the recovery of marine resources and the maintenance of food security. The gulf of Golfo Dulce is a unique ecosystem
which holds a large population of neonates and juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks.
The gulf of Golfo Dulce is a unique ecosystem which holds a large population of neonates and juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks. The protection and efficient management of coastal nursery areas for hammerhead sharks provides an opportunity to decrease environmental vulnerabilities; maintain the food security of coastal communities dependent on marine resources; decrease social and economic vulnerabilities; and promote a blue economy. ©David García ©Andres Berrocal

Slide 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"

White tip 1 ©Andres Berrocal Rangers ©Andres Berrocal White tip 3 ©Rolbin Garcia White tip 2 ©Andres Berrocal The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a top predator of marine ecosystems and is a migratory species.

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"

Slide Conservation science strategies with real-world solutions acknowledged by global decision-makers. ©Edward Herreno Conservation
science strategies with real-world solutions acknowledged by global
decision-makers.

Slide 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.

Slide Slide Slide navigate_before navigate_next In 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

Slide Slide Slide Slide navigate_before navigate_next Whitley 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.

Slide 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"

Slide 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.

balanced ecosystem ©David García Sanctuary ©Rolbin García balanced ecosystem ©Rolbin García balanced ecosystem © David García balanced ecosystem ©Rolbin García balanced ecosystem ©Rolbin García balanced ecosystem ©David García balanced ecosystem ©Rolbin García

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