Costa Rican Sailfishery
in Jeopardy
South Florida anglers
catch their share of
sailfish each year, but
plenty more Floridians
and other saltwater
anglers visit the
tropical waters of Costa
Rica annually to sample
its fantastic billfish
action.
That may change as Costa
Rican fisheries experts
warn that commercial
fishing is threatening
the area’s
multimillion-dollar
sportfishing industry.
Representatives of Costa
Rica’s sportfishing
industry argue a live
sailfish is worth much
more than a dead slab of
sailfish, exported for
food. They are calling
on the government to
legislate it.
Sweden can attest to
that fact, as pointed
out in April’s Opener’s
column. The Swedish
Fisheries Board released
a report valuing the
recreational fishing
market in Sweden at 10
times more than the
commercial sector.
Florida fishing towns
are also well aware of
the economic boost they
receive from
recreational fishing.
Costa Rican sportfishing
industry leaders, backed
up by a US marine
biologist, are expected
to meet with the
National Chamber of
Tourism to present their
case. Costa Rican
sportfishermen have
already started
discussions with the
Minister of Tourism,
Carlos Ricardo
Benavides, who agreed
there was a problem.
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