A collaboration between the Costa Rica Federation of Tourist Fishing (FECOP) and the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust (BTT) aims to position Costa Rica as a global leader in tarpon conservation. This iconic species is vital to Costa Rica’s Caribbean, particularly in Barra del Colorado, where it supports local communities and the economy.

“For decades, tarpon have sustained the community of Barra del Colorado, especially in terms of labor,” said Eduardo Pérez of Kawe Lodge and current president of the Barra del Colorado South Eco-Tourism Association. He estimates that the tarpon population has declined by 40%, threatening “the daily livelihood of many households.”

Sport fishing is a significant contributor to Costa Rica’s economy. In 2019 alone, it generated nearly $500 million, according to a FECOP study cited by Marina Marrari, the federation’s executive director. The organization works to protect the fish species central to Costa Rica’s sport fishing industry, including tarpon, which attracts anglers from around the world.

Through their collaboration with FECOP, BTT leaders have identified key areas for conservation efforts, including education on best practices for managing fish. According to BTT’s Adams, Costa Rican tarpon the habitat is in good condition compared to other regions, such as Florida. As a result, the focus has shifted to educating local guides and fishermen on the proper handling of tarpon during catch and release fishing.

Catch and release is a popular conservation practice, but it only benefits the species if the fish survive. Limiting the fight to 30 minutes and keeping the tarpon in the water greatly increases the fish’s survival rate. If these guidelines are followed, the fish has a 90% chance of survival after release. However, if the fight exceeds 30 minutes or the fish is removed from the water, survival drops to 50-60%.

Griffin, a BTT expert, highlighted Texas as a cautionary example of the effects of poor fishing practices. In the 1960s, Texas was considered the tarpon fishing capital of the world, but its population plummeted due to unsustainable fishing practices. Florida later took the lead, and only now are there signs of a recovery in Texas’ king tarpon population.

Although local guides are trained in proper catch and release techniques, they may still face pressure from tourists eager to take a “trophy photo” with the tarpon. To combat this, FECOP is working to translate BTT’s best practice material so that hotels can distribute this information to guests.

“It is important for hotels to include these guidelines in their tourist orientation,” Adams explained. “This reduces the pressure on guides when tourists ask to take tarpon out of the water. It is also crucial that fishing guides promote best practice on their social media platforms by sharing images that demonstrate responsible fishing.”