A recent research study by scientists and fishery experts working in the western north Atlantic and eastern tropical Atlantic revealed that billfish and other finfish are becoming more vulnerable to overfishing as “dead zones,” scientifically known as hypoxic zones, expand and shoal closer to the sea surface. This graphic using dissolved oxygen (DO) data from the World Ocean Atlas shows the depleted levels of DO at 100 meters depths off Africa and the Americas. The black and red colors indicate depressed levels of DO at or below 3.5 milliliters per liter (see scale). The study was composed of scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, and The Billfish Foundation. Billfish and other marine species become more susceptible to overfishing because they are "compressed" into oxygen rich waters at the ocean’s surface where they are easier to catch, while avoiding waters low in oxygen below the thermocline. Image courtesy of the Journal of Fisheries Oceanography
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. – With the New Year comes new challenges to fish in our world’s oceans and one of the major concerns is the expansion of hypoxic zones. That’s the scientific name but more recreational anglers are becoming aware of them as “dead zones.” Read more...(804 words, 1 image, estimated 3:13 mins reading time)
When entering Puerto Jimenez, one sees mini billboards advertising services for backpackers and eco-gurus
The first time I went to Puerto Jimenez was back in the mid 1970, and it took us about three days traveling on very pot-hole ridden, one-lane dirt road. And thinking back, I think we were heading to Panama or Golfito, made a right instead of going straight at Chacarita, and ended in this very remote town. About the only Gringos we saw were surfers who were headed to Cabo Matapalo, a small town that was becoming known for its awesome surf break. At the time it become most famous for its gold mining and logging in the 1960s. Even today, some try their luck at gold mining and these wood mills are still seen on the way.
Named in honor of Costa Rican three-time elected President Ricardo Jiménez, Puerto Jimenez has grown to become the largest town on the Osa Peninsula that’s located in the southern part of the Puntarenas province and the threshold of Corcovado National Park. Read more...(742 words, 5 images, estimated 2:58 mins reading time)
We have just discovered why the Costa Rica sea turtle is going extinct, it is not being trapped in fishing nets, pollution, global warming or tourism development, but local Costa Rican’s over harvesting eggs where many are starting to claim, it has becomes an illegal attack against nature.
The above photographs [that have been plastered all over the internet], show the destruction and/or legal harvesting of turtle nesting sites in Ostional, which is on the Guanacaste Peninisula. As you can see, bags and bags are literally filled with thousands of eggs. These bags are being carried away are supposed to be sold into the local economy, but unfortunately most end up on the Asia or other overseas black markets where the price is 10 times higher and this is where the debate starts.
Costa Rica has always claimed they were one of the forefathers of turtle conservation.
And Earthwatch recently praised several conversation programs in Guanacaste, Costa Rica with their “Help Save Leatherback Sea Turtles from Extinction” program.
The coast of Guanacaste is one of the most important remaining nesting beaches in the world.Read more...(327 words, 1 image, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)
US Marines have been deployed to Costa Rica to help combat the drug smuggling
Last week our email box was pretty much filled with, “Why the US Marines were invading Costa Rica?” Even at our Facebook account, a few commented on right-wing political BS, “It’s all about the oil, about building a military base in Costa Rica, and of keeping an eye on all the other dangerous countries around like Venezuela.”
However, I would like to comment on the one of the insanely ridiculous rumors and accusations received from Playas De Cocos where we quote from her email:
“Many of us believe that these ships have been evacuated from the Gulf because of the threat of an explosion from the oil well that has been spewing oil for over 80 days. Apparently the sea floor has raised up almost 30 feet and fissures are forming. Even though they have capped the well as of the early hours of the morning, no one seems to know yet if this cap will hold. They say that if the well explodes, this will cause a fire as large as a mountain and a tsunami that will wipe out many of the Gulf States.” Read more...(1137 words, 2 images, estimated 4:33 mins reading time)
Golfito, Costa Rica, has it all. Sportsfishing, ecotourism and culture
These days, the words Banana Republic are more likely to conjure up an image of neatly stacked chinos and v-neck sweaters than they are a place like Golfito. But when United Fruit built this town on the southwest coast of Costa Rica in 1939, there was nothing here but wilderness and Boruca, the region’s indigenous tribe. Fleeing a rash of banana disease. like what happened to Quepos, that was sweeping through their Atlantic coast plantations, United Fruit surveyed this deepwater bay sheltered within the Golfo Dulce and found untamed perfection. They built a massive dock, immaculate houses, schools, roads, a hospital-even a bowling alley-and they brought in workers from around the world. Most of all, they brought money and influence to a region that became their virtual fiefdom for nearly half a century.
That era ended a long time ago, with the last vestiges of Mama Chiquita (as United Fruit was called by its employees) pulling up stakes in the eighties. They left behind a company town without a company; Golfito is no longer immaculate but it is, once again, wonderfully Costa Rican. Read more...(1264 words, 2 images, estimated 5:03 mins reading time)
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