Costa Rican Deputies Block Bill to Protect Sailfish
NOTE: This week’s unfortunate court ruling was only a temporary setback in an ongoing fight to stop the commercialization of sailfish for seafood in Costa Rica. Catch and release fishing…
MISSION
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.
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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!
VISION
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.
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Supporting Sport Fishing and its People
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.
Passed a law pushing destructive tuna purse seine vessels to 80 miles from Costa Rica's coastlines
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Reduced marlin bycatch by more than 25 metric tons
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Sport and recreational fishing adds over $520 million annually to Costa Rica's national economy
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Stopped the exportation of over 600,000 lbs of sailfish annually from Costa Rica's territorial waters
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Our Work & Impact
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.
Support Our Campaigns
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.
Operation Sailfish
More than 16,000 sailfish are killed annually in Costa Rica. Join us in the fight to stop the commercialization of sailfish in Costa Rica.
learn more Tuna Reform
Success! We have pushed tuna purse seiners from 15 miles in 2007 to 80 miles this year reducing 20 tons of bycatch which include marlin, dolphins and sea turtles
learn more Women's Nautical School
Leveling the playing field for women in the sport fishing sector
learn more Brujas Del Mar
The project started in 2018 when a group of women who worked as shrimp peelers realized they had to find a new job. Among them was Flor Rivera, now the leader of ‘Brujas del Mar.’
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Social and Political Advocacy
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.
