The guardians of Cocos Island cut illegal fishing by 90%

Off Costa Rica's Pacific coast, the rangers of Cocos Island National Park fought back against poachers with a new radar, a renovated surveillance center and joint patrols — and apparent illegal fishing effort fell by more than 90%. The park has grown from 11,683 to 54,844 square kilometers since 2021, and Costa Rica now protects 30% of its ocean territory, generating over $40 million a year in tourism and sport-fishing.