Blue Fellowship: Supporting the Next Generation of Ocean Conservationists
Project Leader
Blue Fellowship empowers young women in marine science to lead ocean conservation projects in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
Blue Fellowship Marco Rodríguez
Since 2021, Mision Tiburon’s Blue Fellowship (Beca Azul) has supported young researchers leading projects focused on marine ecosystems. To date, 15 research initiatives have received support, with many more to come.
In 2023, the fellowship was renamed Blue Fellowship Marco Rodríguez, in memory of Marco, a dedicated marine biologist, researcher, and scuba diver who was also one of the program’s early beneficiaries.
Marco lived with deep passion for the ocean and conservation, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. Through this fellowship, Misión Tiburón celebrates his life by empowering the next generation of ocean scientists and conservationists to follow their own path with the same heart and commitment.
PROJECT LEADER
Andres Lopez
Andres Lopez is a marine biologist with a master’s in resource management and the Co-Founder and Director of Mision Tiburon, a Costa Rican nonprofit dedicated to protecting sharks and marine life. Since 2010, he’s led groundbreaking research on sharks and rays, working closely with coastal communities—fishers, divers, park rangers, and students.
Through years of tagging and habitat studies, Andres has helped identify key shark habitats and played a major role in advancing protections at both national and international levels. His efforts, backed by strong local and government support, led to the creation of Costa Rica’s first shark sanctuary in the Golfo Dulce wetlands and the area’s recognition as a Mission Blue “Hope Spot”, where he proudly serves as Hope Spot Champion.
Expanding Impact Across the Eastern Tropical Pacific
Thanks to Ocean Blue Tree´s support, Mision Tiburon is not only able to continue the Blue Fellowship Marco Rodriguez but also to strengthen its visibility and expand its reach. While the first 15 projects were carried out in Costa Rica, we believe it’s time to go further.
With this support, the fellowship is now looking to promote new marine conservation projects across the entire Eastern Tropical Pacific region, from Mexico to Peru, welcoming passionate young researchers from across Latin America to join this growing movement for the ocean.
Our Other Projects
Check out our other contribution to help our ocean
This project is the first acoustic tracking study of Indo-Pacific Leopard Sharks in the Derawan Islands. By monitoring shark movements…
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Once thought extinct in the Eastern Pacific, hawksbill turtles are making a comeback in Ecuador. Through research, community work, and…
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The Thai Whale Shark Project, founded in 2017, has identified over 400 individual whale sharks in Thai waters, making Thailand…
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The giant manta ray (Mobula birostris) is an endangered species increasingly threatened by bycatch in northern Peru’s small-scale fisheries. This…
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Investigating the rising trend of shark-based pet snacks in Thailand’s fast-growing pet market, where numerous products made from shark parts…
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The Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery Project (StAR) is a collaborative conservation effort aimed at restoring healthy populations of Indo-Pacific…
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In Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, Mision Tiburon is restoring vital mangrove ecosystems that serve as nursery grounds for endangered shark…
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This project explores whether sharks experience pain beyond reflexive responses, aiming to deepen our understanding of their nervous systems. The…
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Exploring the ecology and population patterns of oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
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The Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery Project (StAR Project) is a global effort to restore populations of the endangered Indo-Pacific…
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