By Wendy Anders

The University of Washington will partner with the Costa Rican Federation of Fisheries (Fecop) to study sport fishing in Costa Rica, reported Central America’s Summa business magazine.

The study aims to understand the environmental, social, and economic issues and dynamics involved with sport fishing, an industry that the University of Costa Rica estimates provides employment, both direct and indirect, for over 60,000 people in Costa Rica.

Sport fishing in Central America, which involves catching and releasing big ocean fish, is the most developed in Costa Rica where it contributes close to 2.5 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product, according to Fecop.

Fecop has been working with partners at the University of Washington since 2015 on the idea of an in-depth study of sport fishing. The research project will allow actors in the local industry to better understand how sport fishing affects fish stock, as well as safety and other aspects of sport fishing jobs, and the ways in which communities are benefitting and involved in the industry.

It is hoped that data collected in the study will guide decision-making in the industry on investments, and projects and actions that will strengthen sport fishing’s performance and sustainability.

Also cooperating in the study are private businesses: Marina Pez Vela in Quepos (Central Pacific), Crocodile Bay in Puerto Jimenez (Southern Pacific), sport fishing outlets in Potrero and Flamingo (Guanacaste), and two recreational groups in San José – the Amateur Fishing Club and the National Fishing Club.

“Fecop is the first institution in the country to conduct research to develop performance indicators on fishing. This agreement [with the University of Washington] will allow alliances with other sectors to strengthen the country’s sport fishing industry, ” said Henry Marín,  Fecop representative, in an interview with Summa magazine.