The Rise of Women in Costa Rica’s Sport Fishing Industry

Today is International Women’s Day and Costa Rica has a big reason to celebrate! Over the last several years FECOP has lead the way in leveling the playing field for women in Costa Rica’s sport and recreational fishing sector by starting up programs aimed at giving women opportunities for employment in one of the countries most important tourism segments.

COSTA RICA’S WOMEN’S NAUTICAL SCHOOL

FECOP, The Voice of Sport Fishing in Costa Rica, helped launch the Women’s Nautical School in order to increase employment opportunities for women in Costa Rica’s booming sport fishing industry. In this predominantly male industry, you are now more likely to see a well-trained female captain or mate on your next fishing trip. Local charter operator Yokselin Lopez, Andres Bonilla, and FECOP’s Henry Marin launched the project in March of 2021 and the school is now close to graduating it’s second class.

Read more about Women’s Nautical School

LAS BRUJAS DEL MAR

Launched by FECOP in 2019, Las Brujas del Mar or “The Sea Witches” are a group of former shrimp peelers turned lure manufactures in Costa Rica. When shrimp trawling was banned in Costa Rica, these women found themselves unemployed and in need of a new skill. With the help of FECOP, they are now designing and exporting their Predador Lures in the USA. These lures can also be found on the shelves of tackle shops across Costa Rica. Learn more at fecop.org