The Cocos Islands are known worldwide as an ocean haven for
spectacular sharks, rare sea turtles, whales and abundant marine
wildlife. Divers travel for days for the privilege of exploring the
waters of Cocos Island National Park
- more than a day by boat off Costa Rica's Pacific coast. But even
World Heritage status has not stopped commercial fishers from invading
these treasured waters to set illegal hooks and lines in ruthless
pursuit of swordfish, tuna and big fish that are quickly disappearing
from the open ocean. Only recently have Cocos Island park rangers begun to patrol and protect the park's marine boundary.
To
end destructive fishing and better understand the secret life of marine
creatures that live in the Cocos Islands, Sea Turtle Restoration
Project is partnering with its Costa Rican sister organization PRETOMA in the Cocos Island Monitoring And Research (C-MAR)
