Presence and behavior of two species of dolphins (Stenella attenuata and Tursiops truncatus) in the Central Pacific Ocean of Costa Rica

P.I José David Palacios Alfaro

E-mail: dpalacios@fundacionketo.org

Due to the fact that the majority of information on Costa Rican cetaceans comes from studies conducted in the Costa Rican waters ( Northern and Southern Pacific), there’s a lack of information on the dolphin and whales populations of our Central Pacific.

This research attempts to determine which species of cetaceans are inhabiting in the Central Pacific Ocean. In this way, it will provide information about cetacean populations: e.g. presence, occurrence, group size and group composition.

The surveys were carried out on shrimp crafts that are the property of the company The Rainbow Jewels S.A.( within the Camel and Fidel-shrimp fishing zone).