CATIE Promotes Sustainable Development of the Fishing Sector in the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica

• The goal is to design financial solutions tailored to the needs of the fishing associations in the area.

The agribusiness team at CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) is working on an initiative for Conservation International Costa Rica. The objective is to assess financial mechanisms and tools that can promote sustainable productive activities linked to mangrove ecosystems, as well as strengthen value chains in the fishing and aquaculture sectors, fostering more resilient and equitable development.

Andrea Garay and Anthony Gamboa, sustainable agribusiness specialists at CATIE, conducted a field visit to the Gulf of Nicoya from January 29 to February 6. During this visit, they had the opportunity to closely engage with 19 associations linked to the fishing and community development sectors. “Our goal was to evaluate their organizational structure and their capacity to access financing and development projects. Additionally, we continued gathering information from other associations virtually,” added Gamboa.

This process allowed the collection of key information regarding the current state of these associations and the identification of priority investments in terms of capacity-building, infrastructure, materials, and equipment. “These actions aim to improve the functioning of the associations and enhance the sustainable development of the fishing industry in the region,” said Garay.

The activities will continue until the end of 2025, with the goal of designing financial solutions tailored to the needs of local associations. These tools are expected to facilitate access to resources that ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector, benefiting fishing communities and promoting the conservation of mangrove ecosystems.