Puntarenas, Costa Rica Fishing Tournament Closed to Longliners

Agreement yields longline closure for this weekend’s Costa Rica fishing tournament  40-mile area commercial closure during Presidential Challenge, March 1 - 4  PUNTARENAS, Costa Rica -- (Feb. 27, 2012) – Recreational sportfishing and billfish conservation have made a huge impact on Costa Rica’s tourism and economy.  In a groundbreaking move and through a joint … [Read more...]

Costa Rica’s Sportfishing and Tourism Commission Adds TBF’s Conservation Directors

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica --- Costa Rica, one of the world’s premier sportfishing destinations, has named Herbert Nanne, and Monica Gutierrez to the country’s recently formed Sportfishing and Tourism Commission. Nanne is a biologist and The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) Central America Conservation Director. Gutierrez is a lawyer and President of Pronature, a sister conservation entity to … [Read more...]

Hilton Hotel & Restaurants Stops Serving Marlin & Sailfish Meat

In a bold move, Hilton Hotels and Resorts in Costa Rica's restaurants set example for others in promoting sportfishing ecotourism by taking sailfish and marlin off their menus. They adopted the stance after working with The Billfish Foundation and  the Costa Rica Sport Fishing Federation (FECOPT). FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. – The Billfish Foundation (TBF) entered into an agreement with its … [Read more...]

Government Seizes Sailfish Meat From Seafood Company

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. – Costa Rican government officials released information to The Billfish Foundation (TBF) of the seizure from a seafood exporter, of over 7,000 kilos of sailfish meat bound for Peru. Sailfish are protected species in the popular Costa Rican fishery. Tico Times Editor Note: Costa Rica's ban of exporting billfish meat was established in Jan 2009. Investigators … [Read more...]

Sportfishing Study Will Provide Economic Roadmap For Panama

We stand on the brink of a period of strong economic growth that will be fueled in part by a shift to a more sustainable use of our natural resources. The international market for eco-tourism is rapidly expanding and seeking new destinations, particularly in the area of sportfishing. With proper planning and execution, Panama can and should establish itself as the regional leader in this industry. … [Read more...]

Panama Launches Sportfishing Tourism Study

The Billfish Foundation tapped to conduct 18 month long socio-economic research... PANAMA CITY, Panama and FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., USA – Panama’s minister of science, technology and innovation has announced a socio-economic research study on the impact of sportfishing tourism. The Billfish Foundation in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., will conduct the research. In a conference call, Dr. Ruben Berrocal, … [Read more...]

Ocean’s Dead Zones Increase – Billfish More Exposed to Capture In Costa Rica and Other Places

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. – With the New Year comes new challenges to fish in our world’s oceans and one of the major concerns is the expansion of hypoxic zones. That’s the scientific name but more recreational anglers are becoming aware of them as “dead zones.” They are areas in the oceans with low or non-existent oxygen levels which, according to a recently released research study by … [Read more...]

Costa Rica Sportfishing Vessel Attacked Off Garza – Tourists Threatened

Helicopter drops explosive devices as Venezuela tuna seiner threatens tourists; tenth attack in past two years ... GARZA, Costa Rica and FT. LAUDERDALE, Florida, USA --- A U.S. based world fisheries conservation association is demanding disciplinary action after the attack by a commercial Venezuelan tuna purse seining vessel and its helicopter on a sportfishing boat off the coast of … [Read more...]

North American Anglers Contribute $599 Million Annually to Costa Rican Economy

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 … [Read more...]

Billfish Foundation – Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica

Back in April, 2006 in Playa Carillo, Costa Rica twenty seven anglers kicked off of the Tenth Anniversary Season of the Presidential Challenge of Central America Conservation Series. The Fishing Tournament was design to help conserve and protect Costa Rica's Sportsfishing industry. It has been a long battle to protect Costa Rica's sport fishing of billfish, and no one knows that more than The … [Read more...]