The sirens of marine conservation
Born in Italy, Ilena has always been fascinated by the ocean. “As a child, I wanted to be a mermaid,” she confesses. During a dive near Cocos Island, the young marine biologist had a life-changing revelation: “I found myself surrounded by hundreds of hammerhead sharks. That overwhelming moment changed my life.”
Determined to save these critically endangered creatures, she co-founded Misión Tiburón alongside her husband, Andrés López.
Mangroves: The cradle of hammerhead sharks
In Central America, Golfo Dulce is the primary breeding ground for scalloped hammerhead sharks. However, its mangroves—vital nurseries for young sharks before their migration—are under threat.
That’s where Ilena steps in: “Restoring mangroves means protecting sharks and so much more, it means preserving an entire ecosystem.” Her work is all the more crucial as shark conservation often goes unnoticed. “People protect lions and elephants, but sharks need us too,” she emphasises.
40 ha of mangroves restored in 2024
“Each of us is connected to the ocean, to sharks and each of us can make a difference.”
A groundbreaking victory
Through acoustic tagging, Ilena and her team have proven that juvenile hammerhead sharks stay in these coastal ecosystems for over a year. This research led to the creation of the world’s first Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary in Costa Rica—a major milestone for conservation.
More than just a scientific achievement, this recognition represents a participatory conservation model where local communities play an active role. “We involve fishers, young people, and women in shark conservation,” Ilena explains.
How mangrove protection strengthens communities
n 2024 alone, Ilena and her team have replanted 40 hectares of mangroves. “Our goal is to plant 30,000 trees by 2025,” she states. But her work extends beyond conservation—she is also committed to education and empowering local communities.
She leads educational workshops on beach clean-ups and ecological monitoring for local youth. Her Mujeres Martillo programme has already trained 25 female ambassadors in sustainable, ocean-inspired income-generating activities, such as crafting jewellery and cosmetics.
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Misión Tiburón
