Sighting pattern of cetaceans in the Pacific Ocean of Costa Rica
Only three species of cetaceans have been studied in Costa Rica in the last 10 years: the bottle nose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the coastal spotted dolphin of the Pacific Ocean (Stenella attenuata graffmani) and the Humpbacked whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). The country lacks information on the rest of the species, which impedes the creation of management and conservation strategies
We have carried out monthly surveys since December 2004 of the species of whales or dolphins that inhabit in the Pacific Coast of our country in order to generate a sighting data base. The sampling zones are Cuajiniquil (North Pacific), Nicoya Gulf(Central Pacific) and Caño Island-Drake Bay (South Pacific).
The projects are:
Presence of false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) in the south Pacific of Costa Rica. More information.
Structure of Fish Communities on Caño Island Biological Reserve and Bahía Paraíso and its potential effect on the dolphins’ occurrence. More information.
Marine Rescue Program. The support from local leaders and other people during dolphin stranding is fundamental. More information.
Conservation
Scientific research for conservation must never proceed detached from the people involved in it, in one way or another. Therefore, we try to involve or to educate the communities that are in direct contact with the researchers. We also attempt to be a part of the process that trains and develops the communities.
We are currently employed at this projects:
Promoting responsible marine tourism through the development of sustainable practice guidelines. More information.
Leatherback Conservation Project in Junquillal Pacific Beach. More information.
Coral reef community-based monitoring in Caño Island, Costa Rica. More information.
Development of cetaceans’ conservation strategies with Cuajiniquil and Drake Bay’s communities. More information.
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