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Costa Rica’s Ocean Protection initiatives lead by example
Costa Rica expands its efforts to protect hammerhead sharks Posted by Alonso Aguilar | Copywriter at 2CRRE
One of the most iconic species of Isla del Coco is now safeguarded by a new international joint effort.
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In the last year, Costa Rica’s government has doubled-down on its commitment towards safekeeping the country’s national treasures . After all, much of its booming tourist economy is inherently linked with the enthralling beauty of this tropical paradise . As it was reported earlier this year, a focused effort has been made with regards to conservation of the Tico oceans, and recently one of the most important breaking news has come from this front: A shark natural sanctuary .
Costa Rica’s executive powers worked in unison with representatives from the United States to officially announce joint actions to assure the protection of marine environments surrounding the iconic Isla del Coco . As part of these efforts, special focus was given to the conservation of the hammerhead shark population of Isla del Coco by way of a connection with the Golfo Dulce Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary .
In recent years, drug trafficking and illegal fishing have affected this shark species, so some of the Pacific’s most important marine national parks have come together to combat this concerning situation . In
addition to Isla del Coco, Galapagos National Park from Ecuador, Malpelo Flora and Fauna Sanctuary and Isla Gorgona Natural National Park from Colombia, Isla Coiba National Park from Panama, and Revillagigedo National Park from Mexico have expressed their support for further actions .
In the case of Isla del Coco, its surrounding marine territory hosts almost half of Costa Rica’s endemic species, which is why its protected area was recently expanded from less than 3% to 30% . Since its creation, Golfo Dulce Hammerhead Sanctuary has been the main reference point for educational activities, monitoring and training related to this shark species, so its involvement with Isla del Coco is great news for widening the conscience around its place within the tropical ecosystems, and its importance to a healthy and balanced marine environment .
