Fundación Vida Marina
Drake Bay, Costa Rica
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, the sustainable tourism company where the foundation is based, has been collecting data, taking ID photos and filming cetaceans since 1999, a solid base of research which enables the group 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 their research tours, they have discovered that almost 80% of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles have been killed in the last four years.
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 the area from two separate hemispheres, giving it 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 its research and education programs, Fundación Vida Marina is working to make the area a protected marine sanctuary.
The sustainable tourism company Delfin Amor Eco Lodge, which donates a share of its proceeds to the Fundación, is the core social enterprise affiliated with the Fundación. However, the Fundación also charges membership fees, and it has plans to open an online store.
Contact Information:
Address: Denise Echeverría
Santa Ana, San José
Costa Rica
Phone: + (506) 282-9424
Cellular: + (506) 393-6554
E-mail:
denise@vidamarina.org
Website:
www.vidamarina.org