Through public and private partnerships, we support sustainable fishing practices to create jobs, policies and awareness through integrated marine biology, satellite data, economic and conservation science to educate, advocate and influence local and international policies.
Get updates on our latest events, projects and causes direct to your inbox! Receive FECOP news, fishing reports, and feature articles from our staff writers!
Get updates on our latest events, projects and causes direct to your inbox! Receive FECOP news, fishing reports, and feature articles from our staff writers!
We strive to insure vibrant and sustainable coastal communities where marine lovers, recreational, artisanal and commercial fisheries collaborate to ensure the ocean’s resources are protected from overfishing today and for future generations.
Published by The Tico Times – A collaboration between the Costa Rican Federation of Tourist Fishing (FECOP) and the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust (BTT) aims to position Costa Rica as…
Tarpon are the Lifeblood of Many Coastal Communities on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast Tarpon are the “billfish” of the Caribbean Coast, and their conservation is key for the development of…
(RIP 1954 - 2024) Find a complete collection of articles and stories from fishing legend, writer, and conservationist Todd Staley
Director of Conservation and Public Policy for FECOP
Costa Rica’s sport and recreational fishing industry employs over 30,000 direct and indirect local workers including boat captains, restaurant and hotel workers, mechanics, transportation professionals and more. These are just a few of the faces of Costa Rica’s sport and recreational fishing sector.
We are an NGO in Costa Rica dedicated to maintaining healthy fisheries of tourism interest, marine conservation, as well as protecting the livelihoods of coastal communities. Early in this century, the number of fish caught by anglers off Costa Rica began a steady decline, leaving tourists disappointed and charter fleets scratching their heads. Then it was discovered in 2008 that more than 600,000 pounds of sailfish meat were being exported to the United States each year.
Recreational and sport fishing tourism is essential for the development of coastal communities and contributes more than $520 million dollars annually to the Costa Rican economy, generates more than 33,000 direct and indirect jobs, and represents 13% of the country’s tourism revenue. We are active in a wide range of science and data backed studies and projects to support this important tourism sector.
We work with government and community leaders to help shape laws and policies that help protect Costa Rica’s precious marine resources and support coastal economies. Help us protect and restore Costa Rica’s delicate marine resources for future generations.
