FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Tourism is Costa Rica’s top industry and new research shows North Americans traveling there in 2008 to fish generated $599 million – or about two percent of Costa Rica’s gross domestic product.
The study, conducted in 2009 by The Billfish Foundation, Southwick Associates and the University of Costa Rica, revealed 283,790 anglers visited Costa Rica and their economic impact even overshadowed commercial fishing. It was estimated 22 percent of those tourists visited the country for the exclusive purpose of fishing.
Recreational fishing surpasses commercial fishing revenue; more CR jobs.
From that $599 million the study also showed sportfishing generated almost $78 million in tax revenues for Costa Rica and 63,000 jobs. In comparison, the effect of commercial fishing for the same species sought by anglers generated approximately $528 million to Costa Rica’s gross domestic product. Commercial fishing contributed $68.6 million in tax revenue and created 57,000 jobs.
“We have already had the opportunity to present the results of this study to the incoming vice president and minister of tourism,” said Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation. “And we will be making a formal presentation to a wider cross sector of government and business leaders this summer. The leadership in Costa Rica had no idea that their country receives more benefits from a sustainable recreational harvest than from the subsidized excessive effort in the commercial fishery.” Read more... (964 words, 2 images, estimated 3:51 mins reading time)
450 lb Black Marlin, just one of many caught and released on Good Friday
Good Friday was incredible, Captain Bobby McGuinness of the Cazador related: marlin, two for three, one a superb 450lb blue and the ‘minnow’ just over 250lb; plus 11 sails brought to the boat of 18 raised that day. That was followed up a couple of days later with a tally of marlin, one for three; and sails, one for seven in just over five hours of fishing (the client had a cold, and came in early).
And it’s not going to stop. Bobby said there is enough bait to last for months, 20 miles of nothing but bait just seven-eight miles off the coast.
Bobby is not the only captain with satisfied clients. A young couple went out two days ago on the 27-foot Salsa with Captain Maikel Rodríguez out of Tamarindo for a half day inshore. They came back with more than they probably bargained for, and certainly with big grins on their faces, a 500lb black marlin! Read more... (265 words, 2 images, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)
A happy angler's catch/release from IFGA 2006 Worlds Best Captain Bobby McGuinness @ 4costaricafishing.com
After nearly a year, Costa Rica and remaining countries of Central America have approved an agreement with The Billfish Foundation (TBF) to create a sustainable management plan for billfish and other popular game fish vital to growing sport fishing and tourism in the region. In Jan, 2009, the TBF successfully reached a ban on exporting billfish meat.
The agreement between TBF and the Organization of Fisheries and Aquaculture for the Isthmus of Central America (OSPESCA) was signed by OSPESCA President Steadman Fagoth Muller, of Nicaragua, and Nelson (scientific director for TBF). OSPESCA Executive Director Mario Gonzalez Recino presided over the ceremony and along with Nelson presented the Nicaraguan Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture with a computer and programs for use in collecting, managing, and analyzing sport fisheries data such as the migratory habits of sailfish, marlin, dorado and swordfish and to protect billfish mainly from over fishing by commercial interests, while implementing tag & release programs for sportsmen. Costa Rica sport fishing captains for years have honored the catch and release fishing. Read more... (256 words, 1 image, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)
Just one of 12 release sailfish
While the economic crisis seems to have doused cold water on a lot of people’s anticipated Costa Rica fishing trip this year, the billfish on the Pacific side either can’t read or don’t care.
It’s been a tremendous January and February for those who have been fortunate enough to fish the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Bill Kieldsen, captain of the 35-foot Sailfish out of Los Sueños, calls it the best marlin year in the last ten. Back from fishing earlier this week, he e-mailed us with his open days in March, and added that his clients had brought eight sails to the boat that day.
His words are echoed by Americana Sportfishing client Mark Pisarek, who with three of his buddies fished two days out of Los Sueños on the 38-foot Macushla with Captain Johnny Cerpas and a day on the 38-foot Tres Amigos with Captain Tim Blair. Mark writes: “Well, another year’s trip on the books and what a great time it was. Read more... (318 words, 1 image, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)
