Guatemala Fishing

Whatever happens to support fishing for sailfish in Costa Rica naturally has implications for sailfishing in Guatemala – so we keep a close ear to any glimmer of hope for progress that supports the industry and as a consequence fishing for pelagic fish such as sailfish and Blue Marlin in Guatemala.There continues to be some progress, albeit slow with regards to legislation – or at least some agreed objectives to support and promote sportfishing in Costa Rica – and therefore as a byproduct support of sportfishing up and down the Central American Pacific coast.

Latest progress – as recent as last week – was that officials from local and national fishing organizations and conservation groups met in the town hall in Puerto Jimenez to format a plan that would make the area a “marine area of responsible fishing” (AMPR). If the plan goes forward, in two-and-a-half-years  it would eliminate shrimp trawlers from the area and the main focus would be conducting biological studies and teaching gillnet fishermen how to use sustainable fishing practices.

The trawlers, gill nets and longlines collectively pose the greatest threat to the ecosystem that supports and promotes the pelagic fishery – so we regard this (or any similar !) as a step in the right direction.

The Costa Rican Federation for Fishing Tourism (FECOPT) officials presented the outline of a plan to some of the directors of the National Fisheries Institute (INCOPESCA) and members of the National Artisanal Fishing Federation. And all seemed to have one goal, removing fishing nets from the gulf.

Now for the longlines…………

Thankfully our fishing remains strong – read our latest fishing report here :

http://www.greatsailfishing.com/en/weeklyfishing.htm