The whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) inhabits tropical coastal waters and coral reefs around the world. As its name indicates, this species has a white tip on the dorsal and caudal fins. In Costa Rica the whitetip shark is one of the shark species most commonly sighted while scuba diving, due to its benthic habitats (related to marine floor) and nocturnal behaviors (generally sedentary during the day). Despite this, we know little about their populations, which are being constantly threatened by human activities such as habitat degradation, contamination and fishing.

In order to change this situation, Mision Tiburon started “The Whitetip Project”, which aims to foster the conservation of this specie through the study of its populations (movements, distribution, growth, etc.). As part of the project a shark tagging program was started in Cocos Island National Park and other coastal sites off the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.