Sharks: Guardians of the Ocean We Must Protect

What role do sharks play in the oceans?

The oceans have a direct impact on climate regulation and absorb most of the carbon in the atmosphere. All marine species are essential for maintaining balance within ecosystems and resisting extreme climate events. Although they are often feared, sharks are vital to the health of our oceans and our planet. In this article, we will specifically discuss these animals and the particular case of Costa Rica.

Pacific Coast Dive Center. Hammerhead shark.

More than 530 shark species around the world help protect, shape, and maintain marine ecosystems. Known as predators, these animals patrol and hunt within coral reefs and seagrass meadows. By hunting herbivorous fish, they limit their potential to overconsume ocean vegetation such as seagrass. These meadows can capture atmospheric carbon 35 times faster than tropical forests and store enormous amounts of carbon for decades.¹ 

Many species migrate thousands of kilometers throughout their lives and help redistribute nutrients across different marine habitats. Some species inhabit very deep waters while others live in shallow reefs, and all of them are fundamental because of the different functions they fulfill, especially in maintaining carbon balance.

Current panorama of shark populations

Unfortunately, shark populations have declined by 71% since 1970. More than one-third of all shark and ray species are currently endangered.¹ This is due to overfishing and harmful and illegal fishing activities. The consequences of the gradual disappearance of these animals are linked to an increase in prey populations and an overpopulation of herbivorous fish, in addition to the possible destruction of underwater habitats that store carbon and an increase in other predatory fish species that create an ecological imbalance.

In Costa Rica, there are around 99 species of chondrichthyans, which include sharks and rays, and approximately 40 of them are sharks. In the Cocos Island National Park alone, 15 species inhabit the area, and all of them are part of the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).² These species include the common thresher shark, whitetip shark, silky or gray shark, blacktip shark, whale shark, hammerhead shark, tiger shark, and mako shark.

Pacific Coast Dive Center. Whitetip shark.

Despite being vulnerable or endangered animals, they were considered resources of fishing and commercial interest. This was ratified in two executive decrees issued in 2017 (No. 40379-MINAE-MAG and No. 42482-MINAE-MAG),³ which stated that seven species — including three hammerhead shark species, three thresher shark species, and whale sharks — were considered of fishing and commercial interest,⁴ which directly contradicted the Wildlife Conservation Law.

What actions have been taken at the national level?

It was not until 2021 that the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) published the Official List of Endangered Species, which included the following species: three hammerhead shark species, three thresher shark species, whale sharks, whitetip sharks, silky or gray sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, mako sharks, and longfin mako sharks.⁴ In 2023, a ruling by the First Chamber of the Supreme Court annulled the 2017 agreement mentioned above. The decision established that three hammerhead shark species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) must be declared endangered wildlife species.⁵

This obligates the Costa Rican Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute (Incopesca) and SINAC to protect these animals. In 2025, the Administrative and Civil Treasury Court ordered SINAC, Incopesca, and the State to prohibit the export of silky sharks, gray sharks, and three thresher shark species as a provisional emergency measure. This injunction was requested by lawyer Walter Brenes, who argues that such activities violate both national and international regulations that require the protection of endangered wildlife species.⁶ 

CREMA (2023)

In addition to these efforts, in 2019 Congresswoman Paola Vega introduced a bill to reform the fourth paragraph of Article 1 of the Wildlife Conservation Law No. 7317 of October 30, 1992. The proposal sought to prohibit fishing of species declared threatened or endangered by the IUCN or included in the appendices of CITES, but it was archived in 2023. In 2024, the same bill was reintroduced by Congressman Ariel Robles, and in February of this year (2026), it received a favorable ruling.² It is currently pending discussion and voting in the Legislative Plenary.

It is important to emphasize that Randall Arauz from the organization Marine Watch International and his son Daniel Arauz, executive director of CREMA, have been essential figures, as their technical and scientific contributions have generated the evidence and urgency necessary to promote this type of bill and support its approval. Likewise, Carolina Ramírez from the organization Unidos por los Tiburones has also been a highly relevant and active figure throughout this process. Without their contributions, this movement would not have begun. Thanks to their perseverance, progress has increasingly been made toward the proper protection of sharks.

Shark commercialization continues in Costa Rica

Despite the efforts made by different national actors, the commercialization and export of vulnerable species continue to occur. Certain institutional and legal gaps still allow these activities, despite sufficient scientific evidence confirming the decline of shark populations over the years. It is clear that this activity represents a source of income for coastal communities and an economic interest for the government. However, the problem is that in the coming years, most of these species may become endangered or extinct, and the consequences will affect both the oceans and humanity.

All living beings fulfill a specific and vital function on the planet. Much flora and fauna are affected by human financial interests. Living in a system where capital generation is considered essential often means that innocent species pay the price. This particular case focuses on sharks in Costa Rica, but there are thousands of similar situations happening every day that we are not aware of. Reading the news from the comfort of our homes is part of staying informed, but the most important step comes afterward: taking action.

What can I do to generate a positive impact?

If we want to generate change in society, the system, and ourselves, we must become part of that change. Due to the fast pace of life, attending protests or demonstrations can sometimes be difficult, but whenever possible, it is important to participate and demonstrate that there is indeed a collective force that wants to do things differently. Subscribing to newsletters is also important, as it allows us to be updated regarding these issues. There are rescue and research centers, campaigns, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in addition to Operation Rich Coast, that actively participate in and closely follow shark protection and conservation efforts. 

Delfino.cr (2023). Protest calling on the Legislative Assembly to protect endangered sharks

Some of these organizations that can be found on social media include the Centro de Rescate de Especies Marinas Amenazadas (CREMA), Misión Tiburón, Fundación MarViva, Unidos por los Tiburones, Innoceana Costa Rica, Tiburones Vivos, among others. In addition to these actions, avoiding the consumption of shark meat is essential. These small actions are the ones that matter most: the more people join the cause, the greater the awareness we generate and the more pressure we can exert for meaningful change. Protecting sharks is not only about saving a species; it is about protecting the balance of the oceans and our own future.

References

1. World Wildlife Fund (WWF). “Los tiburones son clave para la salud de nuestros océanos y el clima.” s.f. Acceso abril 2026. https://www.worldwildlife.org/es/recursos/a-detalle/h%C3%A9roes-clim%C3%A1ticos-de-la-naturaleza/los-tiburones-son-clave-para-la-salud-de-nuestros-oc%C3%A9anos-y-el-clima/ 

2. Costa Rica. Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía. “Declaración de Santuario natural de tiburones al Parque Nacional de Isla del Coco.” Decreto Ejecutivo N°43477. 20 de abril  de 2022. https://pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?param1=NRTC&nValor1=1&nValor2=97039&nValor3=130425&strTipM=TC 

3. Martínez, Alonso. “Proyecto que prohíbe la pesca de tiburones en peligro de extinción avanza en la Asamblea Legislativa.” Delfino.cr.  7 febrero 2026. https://delfino.cr/2026/02/proyecto-que-prohibe-la-pesca-de-tiburones-en-peligro-de-extincion-avanza-en-la-asamblea-legislativa 

4. Pomareda, Fabiola. “Inacción del Estado permite pesca de especies de tiburones amenazadas o en peligro de extinción.” Semanario Universidad. 15 octubre 2025. https://semanariouniversidad.com/pais/inaccion-del-estado-permite-pesca-de-especies-de-tiburones-amenazados-o-en-peligro-de-extincion/ 

5. Martínez, Alonso. “Sala Primera declara a tres especies de tiburón martillo como vida silvestre en peligro de extinción.” Delfino.cr. 27 junio 2023. https://delfino.cr/2023/06/sala-primera-declara-a-tres-especies-de-tiburon-martillo-como-vida-silvestre-en-peligro-de-extincion 

6. Pomareda, Fabiola. “Tribunal prohíbe exportación de cuatro especies de tiburón que están amenazadas o en peligro de extinción.” Semanario Universidad. 15 octubre 2025. https://semanariouniversidad.com/pais/tribunal-prohibe-exportacion-de-cuatro-especies-de-tiburon-que-estan-amenazadas-o-en-peligro-de-extincion/