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VIDA MARINA
FOUNDATION
Vida Marina Foundation was founded in 2004 in order to create
and maintain a protected marine area off the coast of the
Osa Peninsula, on the South Pacific side of Costa Rica.
Delfin Amor Eco Lodge, where the foundation is based, has
been collecting data, taking ID photos and filming cetaceans
since 1999, a solid base of research which enables us to
better understand the great variety of species in the area,
their behaviors, and the threats that exist to them. For
instance, through the data collected on our research tours,
we have discovered that almost 80% of the Olive Ridley Sea
Turtles have been killed in the last four years.
Photo: Sierra
Costa Rica enjoys one of the most biologically
diverse ocean ecosystems in the world. This is mainly because
the heart of a vast habitat known as the Costa Rican Thermal
Convection Dome (named for its proximity to this country)
lies here. Shallow warm waters lie on top of low-oxygen
cold water, creating the perfect ecosystem for a vast variety
of marine life. The dome off the coast of Costa Rica, is
the only one in the world that is constant. Such condition
provides the Costa Rican Pacific waters with a very unique
scheme of biological richness.
Whales, dolphins, tuna, marlin, manta rays,
sea turtles, sailfish and more, congregate in this area
taking advantage of this year-round thermal dome of ecologically
rich waters. The Humpback Whales visit us from two separate
hemispheres, giving us the longest humpback season in the
world. For this reason alone, the area should be protected.
However, commercial fishing in the area is rampant, including
long lining, trolling for shrimp and large scale tuna fishing.
Through our research and education programs, Vida Marina
Foundation is working to make the protected marine sanctuary
a reality.
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SAVE,
PROTECT, RESTORE….
Let`s
be responsible human beings !
How
to help ?
VACATION
AND CONSERVATION ?
Have
fun, learn and help wildlife !!!
Vida Marina offers
Dolphin and Whale Watching tours with marine biologist guides,
hydrophones to hear the dolphins and whales, and an educational
video before the tour. The best part is that by participating
in this tour, you are actually contributing to the conservation
and preservation of the Osa Peninsula by supporting Vida
Marina and getting their marine biologists and researchers
out on the water to take the data they need to create the
protected marine area. This is true eco tourism, contributing
to the area you are visiting!
IN YOUR EVERYDAY
LIFE
You might think there
is little you can do to help protect our oceans, but in
fact individuals have the greatest power to help by making
simple changes in their buying habits and lifestyle.
Join Fundacion Vida
Marina. Your support will help us to create a protected
marine area in the south pacific of Costa Rica.
Your food choices
are an important part of protecting our oceans. We know,
we know everybody loves Rice with Shrimp, but consider at
least eating shrimp less often, as shrimping directly kills
our oceans. For every gallon of shrimp caught, up to ten
gallons of other sea life is killed. As long as there is
a consumer demand, shrimping will continue.
Tuna fishing kills thousands of dolphins and other marine
life every year. Don’t believe that all tuna is now
dolphin safe as that is very far from the truth. Even cans
labeled as such are still contributing to the decline of
dolphin populations. The safest bet is to take canned tuna
off your menu.
Sign our online petition to Create a Protected Marine Sanctuary
in Drake Bay, Costa Rica.
Litter causes a lot
of damage to our oceans. Leave an area cleaner than when
you found it. Cigarette butts and plastic bags look like
food to marine animals. Many animals die every year because
of ingesting trash.
Come out and play
with the dolphins and whales and experience the wonders
of the Costa Rican rainforest in Drake Bay, Costa Rica!
By coming on our tours, you are directly supporting our
research, and what a great way to do it!!
CONTACT VIDA
MARINA
info@vidamarina.org
WEB: www.vidamarina.org
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