Misión Tiburón

Misión Tiburón is a Costa Rican nonprofit marine-conservation organization established in 2009 by marine biologists and conservationists Ilena Zanella and Andres Lopez. Based on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, the organization combines field research, environmental education, and political and social advocacy to protect sharks, sea turtles, rays, and the coastal and open-ocean ecosystems on which they depend. The organization operates from Guanacaste Province in northern Costa Rica and, since 2019, has also conducted regular shark-tagging work from Golfito in the south. Its research programs use satellite and acoustic telemetry, biological observations, and cooperation with local communities and government agencies to improve understanding of shark movements, nursery habitats, population pressures, and management needs. A central focus has been the scalloped hammerhead shark, a migratory species severely affected by finning, bycatch, and the loss or degradation of coastal nursery areas. Misión Tiburón’s work helped establish the ecological importance of the mangrove and coastal habitats of Golfo Dulce for juvenile scalloped hammerheads. Its research indicated that adult sharks associated with the waters around Cocos Island migrate hundreds of miles to reach Golfo Dulce, where females give birth and young sharks grow in relatively sheltered mangrove environments. These findings contributed to the designation of the Golfo Dulce Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary, described as Costa Rica’s first shark sanctuary and the first sanctuary specifically focused on protecting juvenile sharks. The protected area covers more than 10,000 acres of habitat. Beyond hammerheads, the organization studies whitetip reef sharks around Cocos Island National Park and other Pacific locations, and bull sharks in mangrove systems such as Potrero Grande and Punta Respingue. These programs seek to fill important data gaps and translate scientific findings into conservation measures, responsible fisheries practices, and public policy. Education is a major part of Misión Tiburón’s approach. Under the message “conocer para proteger,” meaning that knowledge supports protection, the organization works with coastal residents, fishers, schoolchildren, and protected-area personnel. Its Shark Route activities introduce primary-school students to marine resources, shark ecology, and the threats caused by human activity. Workshops with fishers in Golfo Dulce are intended to reduce the accidental capture and mortality of juvenile hammerheads, while training for Cocos Island National Park rangers strengthens their ability to collect biological information and help address illegal fishing. The organization has worked with Costa Rica’s National System of Conservation and the Cocos Island Marine Conservation Area through a cooperation agreement signed in 2010. It also received support from Rainforest Trust in connection with the Golfo Dulce sanctuary and gained international visibility through Mission Blue’s designation of Golfo Dulce as a Hope Spot in 2018. In 2019, founder Ilena Zanella received the Whitley Award, bringing a one-year grant of £40,000 and additional support from the Whitley Fund for Nature. Misión Tiburón remains a conservation-focused nonprofit rather than a commercial consumer brand, with its principal outputs consisting of scientific knowledge, education programs, technical assistance, and advocacy for marine protection.

Misión Tiburón was established in Costa Rica in 2009 by marine biologists and conservationists Ilena Zanella and Andres Lopez. From its Pacific-coast base, the organization developed an integrated conservation model built around three connected activities: marine education, scientific research, and political and social advocacy. Rather than treating research as an isolated academic exercise, Misión Tiburón uses field evidence to inform local communities, fisheries, protected-area managers, and public authorities. A major early institutional step came in March 2010, when Misión Tiburón entered a cooperation agreement with Costa Rica’s National System of Conservation and the Cocos Island Marine Conservation Area. The agreement supported collaboration in education and technical training. Cocos Island, located far offshore in the Pacific, is a major marine-biodiversity site and an important habitat for pelagic shark species. Misión Tiburón’s cooperation with park personnel included training in biological data collection and technical methods that could assist conservation and efforts against illegal fishing. The organization’s best-known research has concerned the scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini. The species has experienced severe global decline because of finning, bycatch, and other fishing pressures. Misión Tiburón used satellite and acoustic telemetry, together with observations in Pacific waters, to investigate movements between Cocos Island and the mainland coast. The research indicated that adult hammerheads associated with the productive waters around Cocos Island migrate along an underwater ridge for more than 300 miles to reach Golfo Dulce. The mangrove systems there provide important nursery habitat where females give birth and juvenile sharks can grow with protection from predators and access to nutrient-rich waters. The findings helped shift conservation attention from adult sharks and offshore aggregation sites to the coastal nursery habitats essential to the species’ life cycle. They contributed to the creation of the Golfo Dulce Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary, a protected area covering more than 10,000 acres. It was described as Costa Rica’s first shark sanctuary and the first shark sanctuary in the world specifically focused on juvenile sharks. Misión Tiburón complemented the scientific work with participatory workshops for local fishers, seeking practical ways to reduce juvenile shark mortality and improve awareness of the ecological value of Golfo Dulce. Misión Tiburón subsequently broadened its research portfolio. Its whitetip shark work examines whitetip reef sharks around Cocos Island National Park and other Pacific hotspots, where fishing pressure and limited population information complicate management. Its bull shark work focuses on migratory bull sharks and the mangrove habitats used by juveniles, including Potrero Grande Mangrove and Punta Respingue Mangrove. Acoustic and satellite tagging are used to develop information that can support species protection, responsible resource use, and government decision-making. Education became a parallel pillar of the organization’s conservation strategy. Its “conocer para proteger” message underpins activities in coastal communities and schools. The Shark Route program introduces primary-school students to marine ecosystems, the ecological role of sharks, and the threats posed by human activities. Misión Tiburón also planned educational infrastructure in Golfito and set an objective of reaching more than 3,000 public-school students with the message to save the hammerhead shark. In 2018, Golfo Dulce was designated a Mission Blue Hope Spot in recognition of its importance to scalloped hammerhead conservation. In 2019, Misión Tiburón’s visibility increased when Ilena Zanella received the Whitley Award. The award provided £40,000 in one-year funding and connected the organization with the Whitley Fund for Nature. A short film about the organization’s work, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, was also released in connection with the award. In 2020, Zanella’s work was discussed in a National Geographic Kids Ocean Special interview. Misión Tiburón’s documented activities continue to center on research, education, community engagement, and advocacy for the conservation of sharks and other marine species.

• 2019

  Golfito tagging operations launched

  [1]Misión Tiburónen.wikipedia.org

  The organization began regular shark-tagging work from Golfito in southern Costa Rica.

• 2019

  Ilena Zanella received the Whitley Award

  [1]Misión Tiburónen.wikipedia.org

  The award recognized Zanella’s conservation work and brought grant funding and international support to Misión Tiburón.

• 2018

  Golfo Dulce named a Mission Blue Hope Spot

  [1]Misión Tiburónen.wikipedia.org

  The region received international recognition for its importance to scalloped hammerhead sharks, especially vulnerable juveniles and pups.

• 2010

  Cooperation agreement with Costa Rican conservation authorities

  [1]Misión Tiburónen.wikipedia.org

  Misión Tiburón formalized cooperation with the National System of Conservation and the Cocos Island Marine Conservation Area for education and technical training.

• 2009

  Misión Tiburón established

  [1]Misión Tiburónen.wikipedia.org

  Marine biologists and conservationists Ilena Zanella and Andres Lopez founded the Costa Rican nonprofit to advance shark and marine conservation.

A science-led Costa Rican marine-conservation nonprofit that links shark research with community education, fisheries cooperation, protected-area management, and public-policy advocacy.

• Marine research and conservation

  Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Project

  A research and advocacy program focused on the endangered scalloped hammerhead shark. Misión Tiburón uses satellite and acoustic telemetry to study movements between Cocos Island and Golfo Dulce, with particular attention to mangrove nursery habitat and juvenile survival. The program’s findings supported protection of Golfo Dulce and are complemented by fisheries workshops and school education.

• Marine research and conservation

  Whitetip Shark Project

  A tagging and monitoring initiative focused on whitetip reef sharks in and around Cocos Island National Park and other Pacific locations. The program addresses limited knowledge of local populations and seeks evidence that can guide protection from fishing pressure and other human impacts.

• Marine research and conservation

  Bull Shark Project

  A research program examining bull sharks and the mangrove habitats used by juveniles. Acoustic and satellite tagging are used in areas including Potrero Grande and Punta Respingue, while engagement with communities and government agencies aims to turn research results into conservation and management measures.

• Marine education

  Shark Route

  An education initiative for primary-school students that explains marine resources, the ecological role of sharks, and the pressures caused by human activity. The program forms part of Misión Tiburón’s broader effort to build conservation awareness in coastal communities and reach more than 3,000 public-school students.

• Protected-area technical assistance

  Cocos Island Ranger Training Program

  A technical-support and training program for Cocos Island National Park rangers. It helps personnel develop biological data-collection skills for pelagic species and supports cooperation between park management, researchers, and conservation organizations in addressing illegal fishing.

• Save the Hammerhead Shark

  Costa Rica

  A public-education message used in school and community activities to explain the vulnerability of scalloped hammerheads and the importance of protecting their nursery habitats.

  Source
• Coastal fisher workshops in Golfo Dulce

  Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica

  Participatory workshops with local fishers address juvenile hammerhead mortality and encourage practices compatible with shark conservation.

  Outcome. The work contributed to community engagement around the protection of Golfo Dulce’s juvenile shark habitat.

  Source
• Marine education in coastal communities

  Costa Rica

  Misión Tiburón conducts educational activities explaining shark ecology, threats to marine species, and the importance of healthy ocean ecosystems.

  Source

• 2019

  Expanded field operations to GolfitoStrategy

  Background

  Research on Golfo Dulce and other southern Pacific habitats required a regular operational presence closer to the region.

  Action taken

  The organization began regular shark-tagging operations from Golfito.

  Aftermath

  The expansion strengthened ongoing research into scalloped hammerheads, bull sharks, and other species in southern Costa Rica.

  Source

• 2010

  Formalized cooperation with the Cocos Island Marine Conservation AreaStrategy

  Background

  Effective marine conservation required coordination between scientific researchers, protected-area personnel, and national conservation authorities.

  Action taken

  Misión Tiburón signed a cooperation agreement with Costa Rica’s National System of Conservation and the Cocos Island Marine Conservation Area covering education and technical training.

  Aftermath

  The agreement provided an institutional basis for ranger training, biological data collection, and collaborative conservation work.

  Source

• Shifted conservation emphasis toward shark nursery habitatsStrategy

  Background

  Telemetry and field observations showed that juvenile scalloped hammerheads depend on coastal mangrove habitats in Golfo Dulce, while adults use offshore waters near Cocos Island.

  Action taken

  Misión Tiburón used the research to advocate for protection of Golfo Dulce as a dedicated juvenile scalloped hammerhead sanctuary.

  Aftermath

  Costa Rica designated the Golfo Dulce Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary, described as the country’s first shark sanctuary and the first focused specifically on juvenile sharks.

  Source

• 2019

  Ilena Zanella received the Whitley Award[1]Misión Tiburónen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Misión Tiburón co-founder Ilena Zanella was recognized for shark-conservation work, bringing grant support and international attention to the organization.

• 2019

  Misión Tiburón expanded regular shark-tagging operations to Golfito[1]Misión Tiburónen.wikipedia.org

  Product generation

  The organization began conducting regular tagging operations from Golfito, extending its fieldwork into southern Costa Rica and the Golfo Dulce area.

• 2018

  Golfo Dulce recognized as a Mission Blue Hope Spot[1]Misión Tiburónen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Golfo Dulce received Hope Spot recognition because of its importance to scalloped hammerhead sharks, particularly juveniles and pups.

• Misión Tiburón research contributed to creation of the Golfo Dulce Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary[1]Misión Tiburónen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Research on juvenile scalloped hammerheads and their dependence on Golfo Dulce nursery habitats supported the designation of a protected sanctuary in Costa Rica.

1. 1Misión Tiburónen.wikipedia.org