MigraMar: GENERATING SCIENCE FOR THE CONSERVATION OF MARINE MIGRATORY SPECIES IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC

The Eastern Tropical Pacific is home to large populations of threatened marine migratory megafauna. It is also subject to intensive human impacts, including fishing pressure and climate change. Within the region, there are... [ view full abstract ]

The Eastern Tropical Pacific is home to large populations of threatened marine migratory megafauna. It is also subject to intensive human impacts, including fishing pressure and climate change. Within the region, there are several World Heritage Sites, some of which have recently been upgraded and extended, while some others are in the process of being increased. Since 2006, MigraMar is dedicated to understanding the movements of marine migratory species between these marine protected areas. By combining innovative tracking and population assessment methods to identify key migratory routes for these species, MigraMar aims at the creation of two protected MigraVías (swimways) to link key habitat between Galápagos and Coco (Ecuador – Costa Rica), and Malpelo – Coiba (Colombia – Panama). MigraMar’s data base (MigraBase) includes more than 1,200 tracks from iconic and endangered migratory species, including the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), whale shark (Rhincodon typus), silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). These tracks show strong connections between oceanic islands, along different systems of sea mounts. By engaging the governments of Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador, MigraMar’s collaborative biological research efforts foster the use of innovative technologies to protect populations of marine migratory species. MigraMar is planning for the management of transboundary conservation areas for the protection of marine megafauna between the Gulf of California and Revillagigedo (Mexico), Revillagigedo and Clipperton (Mexico – France), and Revillagigedo - Guadalupe - Canal Islands of California (Mexico – United States).