Ban Should Aid Healthy Growth of Fish Populations.

In a victory for artisan and sport fishermen throughout Costa Rica, new regulations were passed this month with the goal of protecting the offshore sailfish population for future sustainability of the industry and sport. While proponents for further protection of Costa Rica’s sailfish and other sport fishing resources say the regulations fell slightly short of expectation, The Billfish Foundation (TBF) said it was upbeat about the measures that were passed by the Costa Rican Fishing and Aquaculture Institute (INCOPESCA).

“The primary concern was the exportation of sailfish meat which now will no longer be allowed as well as stopping the use of live bait by the commercial long-liners,” said Herbert Nanne, TBF’s Central American Conservation Director, after seeing the final agreement issued Friday, Dec. 19, 2008.

Groups like TBF as well as Costa Rica fishing and sportsmen have been working with the government for the expansion of conservation measures to protect sailfish from commercial fishing for years.

Besides banning sailfish exports, other points in the final INCOPESCA agreement were:

1. The prohibition of using live bait on long-lines, which have been found to kill many sailfish and other marine life.

2. The requirement for a special INCOPESCA license in order to capture live bait to be used by commercial long-liners.

3. The proper release of live sailfish, striped marlins, white marlins and swordfish caught by sport fishermen and commercial long-liners, by cutting the line near the leader or as close as possible to the hook without taking the fish out of the water.

4. The end of proof for your “big catch” stories. Sport fishers will no longer be allowed to use gaffs to bring the fish close to the boat or to pull it up on-board for photographic purposes.

5. A 15% maximum limitation on sailfish permitted as by-catch for commercial purposes.

Regarding the last point, Nanne said: “If more than 15% are landed, the sailfish will be confiscated and donated to nonprofit institutions like elderly homes, schools etc. Commercial fishers that want to land sailfish must request an in-port inspection from INCOPESCA prior to docking. For transport and commerce of sailfish in Costa Rica, the trucks must have special INCOPESCA inspected documents.”

In order to fulfill the measures passed, INCOPESCA will form a special committee to include INCOPESCA regional directors and sportfishing representatives from Golfito and Quepos along with the Costa Rican Coast Guard.

To prepare for the export ban, on Dec. 28, INCOPESCA did an inventory of the sailfish stored in commercial freezers for export purposes. Once these remaining sailfish are sold off, no more sailfish will be exported from the country.

“These sailfish conservation measures are significant and the first in more than a decade in Costa Rica,” said TBF’s President Ellen Peel. “We are proud that the collective efforts of many people were responsible for this victory.” Peel also said that TBF will continue to work with the Costa Rica sportfishing and tourism interests in pursuit of these goals and press for aggressive billfish conservation measures.

Nanne added the conservation measures are the result of the work of many people united in the Costa Rican Sailfish Conservation Front like Donald McGuinness, Todd Staley, Darren McClave, Jeannette Perez, Jesus Vallejos, Domingo Dominguez, Ricardo Seevers, Alberto Laurencich, Miguel Duran, Rolando Chaves, Raul Miranda and others.

“We want to also thank Luis Dobles, the new president of INCOPESCA for working diligently by meeting with all the sportfishing leaders in Costa Rica, and its board of directors for passing the sailfish conservation measures,” said Nanne.

The main issues not passed by INCOPESCA include certain no-fishing zones, like a complete ban of long-line commercial fishing during the months of January through May along the southern Pacific coast starting from 30 miles out from the Costa Rica/Panama border and continuing up to Quepos.

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The Billfish Foundation was established in 1986 and is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. With world headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., USA, TBF’s comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs, sport fishing and tourism businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy.

TBF’s web site is www.billfish.org and its phone number is 800-438-8247.

Photo courtesy of www.vacationscostarica.com.

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Filed under: Sports on December 30th, 2008