There is a reason anglers flock to Guatemala year round for a chance to experience the world’s greatest sailfish bite. Costa Rica should follow their lead. Pictured is a photo of members of the  National Navy of Guatemala With an Illegal Cargo of Sailfish (March 16, 2024) Guatemala is a world leader in #sailfish conservation and have added very strict laws banning their commercialization for consumption. As a result their national economy and coastal economies experience an economic boom from visiting CATCH and RELEASE anglers. Costa Rica should do the same. “The consumption, trade and capture of sailfish are explicitly prohibited by the Law of Protected Areas (Decree 4-89) and the General Law of Hunting and Aquaculture (Decree 80-2002 and its  Government Agreement Regulation 223-2005). “These legal provisions reserve sailfish exclusively for sport fishing and prohibit their commercialization”

Read more about this weeks seizure of  illegal sailfish below:

National Navy of Guatemala Intercepts Vessel With Illegal Cargo of Sailfish

Guatemala City, March 16. (AGN).- The National Defense Navy of Guatemala has carried out a successful operation on the Pacific coast, within the framework of its security and reconnaissance tasks. During this patrol, a search was carried out on a boat identified as María del Rosario, which was transporting three crew members. During the inspection of the boat, an illegal cargo was found that alarmed the authorities: specimens of sailfish. This species is strictly protected by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Law, which makes its possession a crime punishable by law.

A crime punishable by law

The consumption, trade and capture of sailfish are explicitly prohibited by the Law of Protected Areas (Decree 4-89) and the General Law of Hunting and Aquaculture (Decree 80-2002 and its Government Agreement Regulation 223-2005).

“These legal provisions reserve sailfish exclusively for sport fishing and prohibit their commercialization”

Given the seriousness of the discovery, those responsible for the María del Rosario vessel were arrested and transferred to dry land by naval authorities. Subsequently, they were placed at the disposal of the National Civil Police to begin the corresponding process.

This operation reflects the commitment of maritime authorities to the protection of the marine environment and the preservation of endangered species. Illegal fishing of protected species such as sailfish represents a threat to the marine ecosystem and must be firmly combated. The National Defense Navy reaffirms its commitment to law enforcement and the protection of the marine environment. Operations like this are essential to guarantee the conservation of threatened species and maintain the integrity of our nation’s natural resources.