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Abstract No-take marine protected areas (MPAs) can mitigate the effects of overfishing, climate change and habitat degradation, which are leading causes of an unprecedented global biodiversity crisis. However, assessing the effectiveness of MPAs, especially in remote oceanic islands, can be logistically challenging and often restricted to relatively shallow and accessible environments. Here, we used a long-term dataset (2010–2019) collected by the DeepSee submersible of the Undersea Hunter Group that operates in Isla del Coco National Park, Costa Rica, to (1) determine the frequency of occurrence of elasmobranch species at two depth intervals (50–100 m; 300–400 m), and (2) investigate temporal trends in the occurrence of common elasmobranch species between 2010 and 2019, as well as potential drivers of the observed changes. Overall, we observed 17 elasmobranch species, 15 of which were recorded on shallow dives (50–100 m) and 11 on deep dives (300–400 m). We found a decreasing trend in the probability of occurrence of Carcharhinus falciformis over time (2010–2019), while other species (e.g. Taeniurops meyeni, Sphyrna lewini, Carcharhinus galapagensis, Triaenodon obesus, and Galeocerdo cuvier) showed an increasing trend. Our study suggests that some species like S. lewini may be shifting their distributions towards deeper waters in response to ocean warming but may also be sensitive to low oxygen levels at greater depths. These findings highlight the need for regional 3D environmental information and long-term deepwater surveys to understand the extent of shark and ray population declines in the ETP and other regions, as most fishery-independent surveys from data-poor countries have been limited to relatively shallow waters.

No-take marine protected areas (MPAs) can mitigate the effects of overfishing, climate change and habitat degradation, which are leading causes of an unprecedented global biodiversity crisis. However, assessing the effectiveness of MPAs, especially in remote oceanic islands, can be logistically challenging and often restricted to relatively shallow and accessible environments. Here, we used a long-term dataset (2010–2019) collected by the DeepSee submersible of the Undersea Hunter Group that operates in Isla del Coco National Park, Costa Rica, to (1) determine the frequency of occurrence of elasmobranch species at two depth intervals (50–100 m; 300–400 m), and (2) investigate temporal trends in the occurrence of common elasmobranch species between 2010 and 2019, as well as potential drivers of the observed changes. Overall, we observed 17 elasmobranch species, 15 of which were recorded on shallow dives (50–100 m) and 11 on deep dives (300–400 m). We found a decreasing trend in the probability of occurrence of Carcharhinus falciformis over time (2010–2019), while other species (e.g. Taeniurops meyeni, Sphyrna lewini, Carcharhinus galapagensis, Triaenodon obesus, and Galeocerdo cuvier) showed an increasing trend. Our study suggests that some species like S. lewini may be shifting their distributions towards deeper waters in response to ocean warming but may also be sensitive to low oxygen levels at greater depths. These findings highlight the need for regional 3D environmental information and long-term deepwater surveys to understand the extent of shark and ray population declines in the ETP and other regions, as most fishery-independent surveys from data-poor countries have been limited to relatively shallow waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blacktip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus, is one of the most common Indo-Pacific reef sharks. On April 29, 2012, a juvenile male blacktip reef shark measuring 89 cm total length (TL), was incidentally caught during a research expedition in Chatham Bay, Isla del Coco National Park, Costa Rica, located in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. This is the first record of the species from Isla del Coco National Park, Costa Rica, and from the Tropical Eastern Pacific.El tiburón punta negra de arrecife, Carcharhinus melanopterus, es uno de los tiburones de arrecife más comunes del Indo-Pacífico. Durante una expedición científica al Parque Nacional Isla del Coco, Costa Rica, Pacífico Tropical Oriental, un tiburón punta negra de arrecife fue capturado en Bahía Chatham, Parque Nacional Isla del Coco, el 29 de abril 2012. El espécimen capturado era un macho juvenil de 89 cm. Este es el primer informe de esta especie para el Parque Nacional Isla del Coco, Costa Rica y para el Pacífico Tropical Oriental.

Las actividades socioeconómicas y sus ingresos en el Parque Nacional Isla del Coco han sido poco evaluados y sistematizados, al igual que los efectos que sobre ellos pueda tener la variabilidad climática. empleó una metodología que combina análisis de conglomerados con una dinámica de valor agregado en una cadena productiva, para identificar las actividades socioeconómicas más importantes y cuantificar los ingresos que obtienen por la existencia del PNIC, además se analizó los posibles efectos de la variabilidad climática sobre estas actividades. Para lo anterior, se realizó una revisión bibliográfica detallada, consulta con empresarios, investigadores y turistas. Se obtuvo que los principales conglomerados de actividades alrededor del PNIC son la recreación y la vivencia espiritual, la investigación, las actividades económicas y la gestión y manejo del Parque. Se realizó una aproximación de las contribuciones de la existencia del PNIC en estos cuatro conglomerados en el 2010, y se obtuvo que la contribución el ámbito nacional fue de US$5.7 millones de dólares, el internacional de US$2.5 millones de dólares, el global del PNIC ascendió aproximadamente a US$8.3 millones de dólares. También se obtuvo que si los recursos naturales objeto de la visita de los turistas disminuyen debido a efectos de la variabilidad climática esto ingresos podrían disminuir en 30%.Socioeconomic activities and their gross income in Isla del Coco National Park have been poorly evaluated and systematized, as well as the effects on them climate variability may have. A methodology that combines cluster analysis with a dynamic value chain was developed to identify the most important socioeconomic activities and quantify the gross income derived by the existence of Isla del Coco National Park. The possible effects of climate variability on these activities were also analyzed. A detailed literature review, consultation and interviews with researchers, entrepreneurs and tourists were conducted in order to apply the methodology. The main clusters of activities around this park are leisure and spiritual experiences, research and education, economic activities and park management. An approximation of the gross income from the activities carried out around the National Park in 2010 was calculated. The gross income generated at the national level was $5.7 million dollars and at the international level was $2.5 million dollars. The overall gross income was approximately $8.3 million dollars. But, if the natural resources being visited by tourists degrade due to the effects of climate variability these benefits could decrease by 30%.

Costa Rica has a set of policies emerged from a process of improvement and analysis of previous instruments and the need to consolidate the management of the Wildlife Protected Areas of the country. In this article, we review the overall framework of public policies, what it means and what it should cover; and finish with a review the overall policy framework of protected areas in Costa Rica with a focus on its application in Isla del Coco National Park. Policies must be improved, including budget, indicators and verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At least fourteen species of sharks live in the Marine Protected Area of Isla del Coco National Park (ICNP), some are resident species such as the whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus); others are migratory and visit the National Park throughout the year, e.g. the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) and the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). Between March 2010 and August 2012 six expeditions out to the ICNP were carried, during this period 25 night trips (from 18:00 to 22:00 hr) for shark tagging were conducted in the Wafer and Chatham bays. During those trips, 185 sharks were analyzed: 81.1 % were whitetip reef sharks (T. obesus), 16.7 % were blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus), 1.1 % were blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and 1.1% were silvertip sharks (Carcharhinus albimarginatus). The most common species in Bahía Chatham was T. obesus, while the most common one in Bahía Wafer was C. limbatus, which represented 80.9 % and 80.5 % of the total sharks caught, respectively. Regarding T. obesus, a sex ratio of 1.2 males per female was estimated (X2=0.09; p=0.17); in turn a sex ratio of 1.01 males per female was observed (X2=0.04; p=0.79) for C. limbatus. The average total length for T. obesus and C. limbatus was 103.66±13.91 cm and 76.58±14.56 cm respectively; suggesting that black tip sharks use those bays during immature stages. The results show an interspecific spatial segregation of the most common resident sharks at ICNP, apparently the clear waters and the coral cover of Chatham Bay are preferred by T. obesus; while the turbid waters of the Genio River mouth are preferred by C. limbatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blacktip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus, is one of the most common Indo-Pacific reef sharks. On April 29, 2012, a juvenile male blacktip reef shark measuring 89 cm total length (TL), was incidentally caught during a research expedition in Chatham Bay, Isla del Coco National Park, Costa Rica, located in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. This is the first record of the species from Isla del Coco National Park, Costa Rica, and from the Tropical Eastern Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socio-economic activities at Isla del Coco National Park, Costa Rica and possible effects of climate variability. Socioeconomic activities and their gross income in Isla del Coco National Park have been poorly evaluated and systematized, as well as the effects on them climate variability may have. A methodology that combines cluster analysis with a dynamic value chain was developed to identify the most important socioeconomic activities and quantify the gross income derived by the existence of Isla del Coco National Park. The possible effects of climate variability on these activities were also analyzed. A detailed literature review, consultation and interviews with researchers, entrepreneurs and tourists were conducted in order to apply the methodology. The main clusters of activities around this park are leisure and spiritual experiences, research and education, economic activities and park management. An approximation of the gross income from the activities carried out around the National Park in 2010 was calculated. The gross income generated at the national level was $5.7 million dollars and at the international level was $2.5 million dollars. The overall gross income was approximately $8.3 million dollars. But, if the natural resources being visited by tourists degrade due to the effects of climate variability these benefits could decrease by 30%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]