Migratory Movements
Project Leader
Improve knowledge on the migratory movements of endangered marine species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, to identify critical habitats and enhance conservation strategies.
Protecting Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast
At CREMA, our work is dedicated to conserving the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, a region known for its exceptional marine biodiversity. Stretching along the Nicoya Peninsula, our focus area includes sea turtle nesting beaches, rocky reefs, and nutrient-rich estuaries. These coastal ecosystems are vital to both environmental health and local livelihoods, supporting a wide variety of marine life and sustaining small-scale fishing communities. Based in the heart of the Nicoya Peninsula, we lead initiatives such as sea turtle protection, marine wildlife monitoring, and research on the movement of sharks and turtles along the coast—all aimed at safeguarding the long-term health of these ecosystems.
PROJECT LEADER
Randall Arauz
Randall Arauz is a marine biologist with a BSc from the University of Costa Rica and a PhD in Marine Science from Bangor University. He has dedicated over three decades to sea turtle conservation, reducing bycatch of endangered species in commercial fisheries, and tracking migratory marine animals in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. His work has earned international recognition, including the Whitley Award, the Goldman Environmental Prize, and the Gothenburg Award for Sustainable Development. He has represented Costa Rica at global conventions like CITES and CMS, and is currently involved with organizations such as Marine Watch International and CREMA. Randall also serves as a member of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission and was named a Pew Marine Fellow and Hope Spot Champion by Mission Blue.
Conservation actions in Cocos Island
In Cocos Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the eastern Pacific Ocean, we track endangered sharks as they migrate through marine corridors connecting Cocos with key sites like the Galapagos, Malpelo, and Coiba. To better understand these movements and support science-based conservation, several research expeditions have been carried out to Cocos Island National Park, as well as the nearby Las Gemelas and West Cocos Seamounts. Using a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV), deep acoustic receivers were deployed at the seamount summits (180 meters deep) to monitor tagged sharks, turtles, and rays, providing valuable data on their behavior and habitat use.
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