Gillnet Fishing in Costa Rica's Gulf of Nicoya : An Analysis of Target Catch and Artisanal Fishermen's Perceptions in the Marine Area for Responsible Fishing Paquera - Tambor

Abstract: The gulf of Nicoya is one of the most productive estuaries in the world and is home to many artisanal fishermen who rely on the gulf as both an economical source but also a way of feeding their families. The Marine Protected Area (MPA) named “Marine area for responsible fishing Paquera – Tambor” is located between Paquera and Tambor on the Nicoya peninsula on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. In this area, fishing is regulated by laws that are enforced by Instituto Costarricense de Pesca y Acuicultura (INCOPESCA), a Costa Rican governmental organ. This study investigated gillnet fishing in the Marine area for responsible fishing Paquera – Tambor by comparing previously collected data from 2016, 2017 with data that was collected in 2023 and investigated the artisanal fishermen perception about the fishing and regulations through interviews. The parameters compared between the years were, (I) the bycatch species, (II) the target catch per net, (III), the total amount of fish caught per net, and (IV) the mean length of the fish. The 2023 data was collected by laying down gillnets in the same area and with the same equipment and effort as done in 2016 and 2017. The target catch was significantly lower in 2023 compared to that of 2016 and 2017. There was a similar negative trend, albeit nonsignificant for the total amount of fish caught per net. The interviews were carried out with a standardized survey and, 10 fishermen active in this protected area were interviewed. This was done to get a wider view about the fishing in the gulf of Nicoya and to compliment the results of this study. All the interviewees expressed negative views about INCOPESCA and three claimed that INCOPESCA officials can be open to bribery. All interviewees contested that the fishing had become noticeable worse during their time as artisanal fishermen. Eight reported that they thought that solely relying on fishing as a means of stable income will not be sufficient in the future. The investigations conducted in this study suggest that INCOPESCA have not succeeded in managing a sustainable fishery in this marine area of responsible fishing. More research is required to gain a better understanding of how the gillnet fishing in the gulf of Nicoya affects the ecosystem and its fish stocks.