Join CREMA, The SeaChange Agency, and Turtle Island Restoration Network, on a scientific expedition to Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica, as a scientific expedition sponsor! All expeditions will be led by Costa Rica biologist Randall Arauz, currently the Science and Policy Advisor for Marine Watch International (www.marinewatch.org).
Excellent opportunity for shark conservation enthusiasts and early career scientists who want to become acquainted with shark research field work at one of the sharkiest places in the world. Late evening talks by experts!
-
Cocos Island National Park and Seamounts. December 10 – 20, 2022. On board Okeanos II.
Join a team of 12 researchers and communicators, from the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala, as they catch and tag sharks in Cocos Island National Park, monitor predator abundance with sophisticated video monitoring devices, and deploy acoustic receivers on the summits of neighboring seamounts using ROV submersibles with the collaboration of MARE www.maregroup.org.
4 full days of diving at Cocos Island National Park (12 dives). 2 days at Las Gemelas Seamount (40 m SW of Cocos Island). Acoustic receiver deployment on the summit, and rescue operation of two lost receivers (no diving, but blue water snorkeling can be done).1 day at West Cocos Seamount (40 nm West of Cocos Island). Deployment of two acoustic receivers (no diving, but blue water snorkeling can be done)
-
Cocos Island National Park. May 23-June 2, 2023. On board Seahunter.
Join a team of 6 researchers from different countries and academic institutions, as they tag and obtain tissue samples from sharks, either directly during dive operations by means of a pole-spear or by fishing and bringing them to our deck for surgical implanting of tags. Any sea turtles encountered will also be caught and brough to our deck for tagging and tissue sampling. 7 full days of diving in Cocos Island (21 dives).
-
Cocos Island National Park. November 18– 28, 2023. On board Okeanos III.
Join a team of 8 researchers from different countries and academic institutions, as they tag and obtain tissue samples from sharks, either directly during dive operations by means of a pole-spear or by fishing and bringing them to our deck for surgical implanting of tags. Any sea turtles encountered will also be caught and brough to our deck for tagging and tissue sampling. 7 full days of diving in Cocos Island (21 dives). All Expeditions will be led by Radall Arauz from Marine Watch International.
Cost per person:
- December 10-20, 2022, Okeanos II: US$6530 + US$550 (National Park fee) = US$7080
- May 23 – Jun 2, 2023, Undersea Hunter = US$6600 + US$550 (National Park fee) = US$7150
- November 18 -28, Okeanos III: US$6630 + US$550 (National Park fee) = US$7180
For more information: Randall Arauz, Marine Watch International – Costa Rica, rarauz@marinewatch.org +506 8708 8253