Randall Arauz is an icon for marine biodiversity protection since he led the campaign to stop shark fining in Costa Rica and made his country the international model for shark protection. As a biologist, conservationist and activist, Randall Arauz is the president of Pretoma, a Non-Governmental Organization that promotes sustainable fishing and ocean resources conservation.

Bejuco beach contains a beautiful 3 miles expanse of dark grey sand. The beach starts at the beginning of the Bejuco River. On this estuary, a wide red mangrove protects and feeds a community of fishermen. Spread on the coastal side of the estuary, the mangrove acts as a natural barrier and prevents flooding and storms while hosting a wide diversity of species. It is a natural “super market” for the community.

The community of fishermen uses a local dialect – which is like an equivalent to the Joual dialect in Quebec- called Pachuco. With a village of 50 closely knit families, the whole community depends on marine resources. The main sources of income and food come from a species of fish called “Red snapper,” which may only be caught at night.  Artisan fishing is the only fishing practice in Bejuco and it requires small motorized boats to reach a high enough level of production in order to become commercial. This model has proven to be very successful in creating local jobs and preventing rural exodus.

Artisan fishing practices range from longline fishing (a main line with baited hooks attached at intervals) to harpooning and angling. One of the top priorities of the Bejuco community is to protect marine resources such as; seawaters, beaches, coastals, mangroves, coral Reefs and sea meadows. Fishermen are aware that cooperating with biodiversity turns into more sustainable and profitable fishery.

To prevent shrimp trawls and spearfishing with sophisticated weapons, a group of fishermen joined last year in order to create a Marine Protected Area. This MPA would become one of Nicoya Peninsula’s largest protected areas and cover 14 miles long, ranging from “Playa de Caletas” North to “Camaronal Refuge.”A MPA protects marine habitats, ensures renewable ecosystems services and allows fishermen to manage the area on a community-based system. Also, ecotourism can bring alternative sources of income. A responsible fishing certification will increase the global income.

Bejucos also want to adopt the best biodiversity management practices. Learning about the successful project of artificial reefs in Guatemala, Myriam, the chief of the community declares:”Guatemalan fishermen saw their populations of snappers and lobsters doubled in less than 3 months. We want to build 10 to 15 artificial reefs out of concrete, to ensure coastal fish reproduction. Inevitably, we have to make some research to determine the size and the best location. Boats will also have to be contracted to deposit the reefs”. Myriam is aware about the magnitude of such a project, although she remains very skeptical about financing it without external help.

After each fishing session, brown pelicans and Urunus vultures are systematically fed with ovals. Fishermen live in harmony with their environment. For instance, batteries used on net’s floating lamps at night are gathered and recycled to prevent soil and water contamination. Traditional knowledge, cultural understandings of reciprocity and mutual respect with nature are transmitted from one generation to another.

On the pacific coast of Costa Rica, a unique haven rests on the Nicoya Gulf; the Chira Island. These 4300 hectares of paradise contains the richest and most dense dries forest biodiversity of Costa Rica. Geologically, it is on the top hill of a mountain, circled by water since an earth geological fault happened. The island is in the heart of an estuary that forms a canal within a mangrove forest. These mangroves float, while preventing erosion and hosting diverse birds, crabs, molluscs, shrimps and fishes.

Chira Island is a refuge for 230 families who make a living out of fishery, agriculture and salt marsh. Salt marshes are famous for roseate spoonbills and other wading birds; long-legged birds that shallow water in search of food.

During the last decade, the fishermen of Palito had to face serious problems: over-exploitation of marine resources, clandestine fishing in reproductive areas and water contamination.

With a strong will to protect their marine biodiversity, 32 fishermen joined to create the association ACOPESCA and protect their Recife. Strong determination and the help of international organizations made this dream come true. They now can benefit from their protected area called «Pescadores a la Cuerda Protegiendo el Arrecife de Palito en Isla de Chira».

The zone is limited with water buoys. At night, 2 to 3 fishermen traverse the zone to prevent any illegal fishing.

The Recife of Palito is one of Chira’s largest and provides the fishermen and people of Palito with shrimp, bar and chuchecas.

Artisanal fishing allows only three methods of fishing: trammel (a fishing net with three layers), trolling and hand lines. With an efficiently protected Recife, fishermen catch more abundant fish. They now raise their voice to promote traditional fishery as a noble way of life that contributes to biological conservation and coastal conservation.

With PRETOMA, they are preparing a sustainable fishery certification to communicate their commitment to control the fishery by considering the species interactions and their reproduction time. This certification will decrease one or two levels of intermediaries on the fish market, while also increasing the fishermen’s income.