Our Work - Misión Tiburón

Our work

Expeditions

Political Advocasy

Volunteering

Education

Research

Our work

Expeditions

Political Advocasy

Volunteering

Education

Research

©Edward Herreno

Misión Tiburón is passionately committed to safeguarding the ocean. Drawing upon years of expertise, extensive knowledge, and dedicated research, we strive to cultivate a safer environment
for both humans and some of its
most critically endangered inhabitants, including

"Sphyrna lewini"

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

Misión Tiburón is passionately
committed to safeguarding the ocean. Drawing upon years of expertise, extensive knowledge, and dedicated research, we strive to cultivate a safer environment for both humans and some of its most critically endangered inhabitants, including

How you can help

The scalloped hammerhead shark is a migratory species and is caught by different fisheries in oceanic and coastal waters because of the strong spatial segregation between adults and juveniles. Whereas adults spend most of their time in oceanic islands such as Isla del Coco, thus are most adversely affected by illegal fishing near the island as well as permitted fishing along their migratory route, juveniles are found in coastal areas where coastal fisheries, including artisanal fishing, represent their main threat.

Scientific data has shown that their population has rapidly declined and scalloped hammerhead sharks are on the brink of extinction. If we do not protect them now, we will have no sharks in the future. An ocean without sharks is a dying ocean and can not survive. We have a responsibility to act now!

No Sharks-No
Future

Why we need you

Our Actions

We focus our efforts on scientific studies that address the most pressing conservation challenges facing sharks, and provide real solutions for shark management and protection.

Watch Video

We focus our efforts on scientific studies that address the most pressing conservation challenges facing sharks, and provide real solutions for shark management and protection.

Ilena Zanella

Co-Founder

VIDEO

"To protect migratory species, it is necessary to integrate conservation efforts into every phase of their life cycle."

Our Actions

"Jacque Cousteau"

Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become
global garbage cans.

Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans.

"Jacque Cousteau"

Education

We implement educational programs in coastal communities about the ocean and the need for shark protection, aimed especially at children and young adults. We educate on coastal marine ecosystems and the importance of a healthy, balanced ocean.

Social & Political Advocacy

We present our scientific results to the relevant Government Institutions, local stakeholders and interested members of society to influence public politics and create effective strategies for the ocean and the protection of sharks.

Scientific
Internship

We run dedicated internship programs to worldwide students of marine science and related subjects who want to get involved in our research projects during their field practice or thesis.

Citizen Science
Program

We involve shark and ocean lovers in data collection used to monitor shark and ray populations in Costa Rica. The program can include live-aboard and day trips for scuba diving and shark tagging activities.

Fellowship
Ocean Conservation

This Fellowship is dedicated to marine science students from Costa Rica in need of recognition and support. This program also contributes to ocean conservation through the implementation of innovative research projects.

Blue
Expeditions

Our experience and cooperation with local and international diving charters and scientific teams allows us to organize unique expeditions to extraordinary places like Isla del Coco and Golfo Dulce.

Research

We conduct scientific research with sharks and other related marine species in order to determine management strategies and to promote marine conservation, together with responsible use of the marine environment.

RESEARCH

HOLDING THE KEY TO TOMORROW

For more than a decade, we have conducted extensive
research in coastal and oceanic areas.

The data we have collected provides us with
valuable knowledge we can use to promote conservation
plans for sharks and rays.

For more than a decade, we have conducted extensive research in coastal and oceanic areas.

The data we have collected provides us with valuable knowledge we can use to promote conservation plans for sharks and rays.

our research focus

We collect data on vital aggregation sites for adult bull sharks and endangered oceanic manta rays.

Learn more

Guanacaste

We study the habitat use of resident shark species and the movements and routes of migratory species.

Discover more

Isla del Coco

Explore more

The gulf is an important nursery ground for scalloped hammerhead sharks, where we tag and monitor their population.

Golfo Dulce

Why is research
so important?

Research is vital as it gives us crucial information about habitat use, residence, migratory routes and behavior of sharks and rays. We overlap this data with environmental variables to identify conservation strategies which decrease the threats on sharks, promoting populations recovery.

EDUCATION

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

We raise awareness about protecting the ocean and the importance of sharks for a healthy planet.

We involve students with the implementation of educational programs; we strengthen the capacity building of Government Institutions to improve policies aimed at protecting marine endangered species; we educate local stakeholders about the responsible use of shared resources.

our education focus

We raise awareness about
protecting the ocean and the importance of sharks for a
healthy planet.

We involve students with the implementation of educational programs; we strengthen the capacity building of Government Institutions to improve policies aimed at protecting marine endangered species; we educate local stakeholders about the responsible use of shared resources.

We train Government personnel about shark identification, shark biology and national-international regulations on marine endangered species.

Government Institutions

Promoting responsible fishing and fostering the use of new social-economic alternatives based on a blue economy and circular use of marine resources.

Communities & Fishermen

Educating students about protection of marine ecosystems and the recovery of endangered species populations. Involving students directly in beach clean ups.

Schools & Universities

Why is education vital for a healthy Ocean?

Misión Tiburón strongly believes that educating children from a young age about the benefits and critical importance of a healthy, sustainable ocean, will have a huge impact on future fishing practices as well as many environmental benefits.

VOLUNTEERING

RESTORING THE OCEAN

Students or ocean lovers can get involved in Misión Tiburón research projects or be part of the tagging activities. As a volunteer in our marine conservation projects, you will have the opportunity to actively support the conservation and protection of marine species and ecosystems.

our volunteering focus

This program runs every year between June, 15th and August, 15th.

Students can get involved in Misión Tiburón research projects, learn from our marine biologists’ experience and exchange knowledge. Also, students have the opportunity to share with local stakeholders and be part of our conservation actions in coastal communities like educational activities, mangrove restoration and beach clean ups.

PROGRAM

Scientific Internship

PROGRAM

Starting in the Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary at Golfo Dulce (South Pacific of Costa Rica), we go deep behind the scenes where one can experience and witness shark tagging activities and perhaps be lucky enough to see hammerhead pups first hand. You can also join us during our expeditions to study the giant manta ray and devil ray migration in Guanacaste (North Pacific of Costa Rica), or in our enthralling close up encounters with bull sharks in Islas Murciélago, in the Guanacaste Conservation Area, to monitor the adult population of this majestic species.

Starting in the Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary at Golfo Dulce (South Pacific of Costa Rica), we go deep behind the scenes where one can experience and witness shark tagging activities and perhaps be lucky enough to see hammerhead pups first hand.

You can also join us during our expeditions to study the giant manta ray and devil ray migration in Guanacaste (North Pacific of Costa Rica), or in our enthralling close up encounters with bull sharks in Islas Murciélago, in the Guanacaste Conservation Area, to monitor the adult population of this majestic species.

Citizen Science

Download now from the App Store & Google Play

This application utilizes and promotes
the interest and knowledge of the diving community and at the same time notes
and maps where these species are being observed and how regularly by the
community of divers.

App

This application utilizes and promotes
the interest and knowledge of the diving community and at the same time notes and maps where these species are being observed and how regularly by
the community of divers.

POLITICAL - SOCIAL

ADVOCACY

POLITICAL - SOCIAL

ADVOCACY

WORKING DIRECTLY WITH GOVERNMENT

Ministry of Environment and Energy Costa Rica

The collaborative work with Governmental Institutions like the Ministry of Environment and Energy allowed the implementation and support of conservation initiatives for shark protection.

Misión Tiburón member of IUCN

International Union
of Conservation of
Nature

The IUCN is a democratic Union made up of over 15 thousand experts from the world's most influential organisations aimed at conserving nature and accelerating the transition to sustainable development.

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