A new study published this week in Conservation Biology (available here) investigates Costa Rica’s ability to adequately enforce and protect it’s crown jewel of marine protected areas (MPAs) – Cocos Island National Park – from illegal longline fishing.
A green turtle (Chelonia mydas) that was tagged in Cocos Island National Park travelled more than 310 miles in 21 days to seek refuge in the Golfo Dulce of Costa Rica, establishing the first proof of biological connectivity between these two important marine ecosystems.
Everything was moving, the water was a bit colder, there were strong currents, and giant schools of black tuna swimming in slow circles by us. We were surrounded by life.
And that’s when we met an endangered Giant Manta Ray. Giant Manta Rays are the largest of all species of Rays and are instantly recognizable underwater by their size and horn-like features (which is why they are also known raya diablo). The Ray came from the blue and gave us a show – flapping its wings and gliding with such power and grace that we had no
Today the Blue Team caught the first sea turtle of the journey – a Hawksbill named Georgina! They approached the main boat the Argo shouting “sea turtle!” I was about to meet my very first sea turtle!
Follow our Feb. Cocos Island Expedition in this series of blog posts. The expedition set out to track sea turtles and sharks in order to create a protected science-based swimway that will safeguard endangered marine wildlife during their migrations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
This is my first night dive ever and I am in awe of the way the ocean comes alive in the dark. Dive Master Giovanni guides us underwater with with the help of Laurent, who uses his bright camera lights to illuminate the ocean floor, while Dive Master Jim slowly follows behind the group.
The sunrise was spectacular as it rose over the Island and hit our boat with perfect morning light. While I am busy taking photos of the moment, fellow divers join me on the upper deck with coffee.
We follow Brayan our dive master who has a bright yellow tank and is easy to spot underwater through the oasis around Manuelita for this and our third dive of the day . . .
(Editor’s Note: This is the second post in a series of blog posts about the Feb. Cocos Island Expedition to track sea turtles and sharks in order to create a…
