Advancing Shark Conservation: Migratory Shark Research at Caño Island with Misión Tiburón

Expedition Summary

On March 18, 2025, The International SeaKeepers Society assisted Misión Tiburón to conduct research into populations of highly migratory shark species, such as the great hammerhead, off the coast of Caño Island, Costa Rica, onboard Discovery Yacht Unbridled. This research is critical to linking inshore habitats to offshore sanctuaries, such as the legendary Cocos Island, to expand protections for these sharks.

The expedition focused on tagging and tracking sharks to better understand their movement patterns between coastal and deep-water environments. By deploying acoustic and satellite tags, scientists gathered essential data on migration routes, habitat use, and potential threats to these species. This information is crucial for designing effective marine protected areas (MPAs) and improving conservation policies.

The Discovery Yacht Unbridled provided accommodations, overall support, and acted as a mobile research platform, allowing the team to operate in remote waters and gather real-time data.