The World Surf League's Essential Costa Rica Pro begins Wednesday in Esterillos, where the town's native son Carlos "Cali" Muñoz enters as a favorite to win the 3,000-point tourney.
Despite Costa Rica's lack of support for protecting the silky shark or bigeye thresher, the two shark species will receive increased protection in international waters under CITES.
Sea Shepherd's "low profile" campaign to help rescue sea turtles in Jacó recently got nixed by the Costa Rican government when it turned out the conservation group was working without permits.
