For the first time in its history, the International Game Fish Association’s (IGFA) top award for conservation goes to a Costa Rica citizen. Todd Staley, a frequent Tico Times contributor, is a proud citizen of Costa Rica and resident for nearly four decades .
In the announcement of the Barry M. Fitzpatrick Conservation award issued by the IGFA it stated:
“Todd Staley has been working with Costa Rican fishermen for 30years and employed over 1,000 in the charter fishing business, often turning commercial fishermen into successful sport fishing captains. Todd has written many editorials informing the public in Costa Rica of the capture of dolphins in the tuna industry and other bycatch as well as illegal fishing practices of longline fishermen.
Todd has also published editorials in Sport Fishing and Marlin Magazine about issues in Costa Rica and donated the proceeds to the IGFA youth education programs. Todd also has a knack of bringing people together in a world that often competes for funding and does not share information.
Todd brought together MarViva, the Latin America Sea Turtle Foundation and Federacion Costarricense De Pesca (FECOP) and co-authored a 51-page report about the longline industry in Costa Rica believing more success will be achieved with conserving our natural resources if we work together”.
As an author Staley is known as a friendly, humorous but no nonsense conservationist who is not afraid to point out issues that sometimes riles all sides. He does this not to offend, but in an effort bring parties together to preserve Costa Rica waters for future generations.
The Tico Times would like to congratulate Todd on behalf of all Costa Ricans and friends of Costa Rica for the recognition of his tireless efforts.
