tuna

When the hillsides along the Pacific Ocean bloom bright yellow, it is time to go fishing, because that is when you will see the double digit days of sailfish that makes Costa Rica a premier destination for sailfish anglers.

Eco-tourism and sport-fishing tourism are both being threatened by illegal commercial fishing practices in Costa Rica.

Central American lobster exports generate more than $350 million per year.

Costa Rica needs to improve on its protection of its valuable tuna resources — not only for the sport fishing fleet they represent, but for the benefit of all national fishermen.

When Costa Rica returns to the healthy ocean, we can exploit it again and end up in the same boat, so to speak, as before.

The Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Mexico are pressing for no change in the quota.

Twenty-five years ago, Costa Rica was known as the sailfish capital of the world.

Fish stocks are improving in areas where tuna purse seine boats are prohibited.

Robert Nunes is a commercial fisherman who actively defends his peers in Costa Rica’s commercial fishing industry. He volunteers a lot of his time with Mauricio Gonzalez, director of the Camera de Palangreros (or the chamber of longliners) traveling the country lobbying for fisherman’s rights.

Costa Rica receives some $19 for each metric ton of tuna that can later reach a market price of some $2,000.