Baby Shark Project
Project Leader
The Baby Shark Project by Ocean Blue Tree develops conservation strategies to protect hammerhead shark nursery sites in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Monitoring three newly discovered nurseries in Galapagos and Ecuador, the project engages local fishers in Puerto Cabuyal to collect data and promote a community-based protected area.
New hammerhead nursery discovered.
The baby shark project is developing conservation strategies to protect key hammerhead nursery sites across the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Three previously undiscovered nursery habitats for hammerhead sharks are continually monitored in Galapagos and the Ecuadorian mainland. Data will help scientists unlock the secrets of why hammerheads choose these specific habitats.
PROJECT LEADER
Eduardo Espinoza
Eduardo Espinoza is a marine biologist with over 30 years of experience working in the Galápagos Islands. He has led marine research and conservation initiatives with the Galápagos National Park Directorate, focusing on ecosystem monitoring, and the protection of sharks, sea turtles, and other marine species. He is a founding member of Migramar and an associate researcher with INABIO and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. Eduardo has also contributed to key international conservation agreements, including CITES and CMS. In recognition of his contributions, a newly discovered fish species, Anisostremus espinozai, was named in his honor.
Community-based protected area gives hope for the future.
In Puerto Cabuyal, a small fishing community, fishers have been engaged in collecting scientific data and with greater awareness they now release sharks alive from their nets. The community is working with Eduardo Espinoza, project leader, to develop a community-based protected area which will improve their fishing yields whilst protecting this vital habitat for hammerhead sharks.
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