Beyond Catch Success: Environmental Values Shape Sport Fishing Tourism in Costa Rica
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15517/kzj9vc32Keywords:
ecotourism; environmental awareness; marine conservation; recreational fisheries; sustainability.Abstract
Introduction: Recreational fisheries are expanding globally, generating both economic opportunities and ecological challenges. Understanding how anglers value environmental attributes is therefore essential for sustainable tourism development and effective fisheries governance.
Objectives: This study assessed how U.S. and Canadian anglers in Costa Rica value biodiversity, ocean cleanliness, and conservation, and examined the relationship between these valuations, overall satisfaction, and intention to return.
Methods: A structured survey was conducted between December 2024 and April 2025 at three Pacific marinas and a fishing lodge (n = 407). Respondents evaluated environmental and cultural attributes, fishing outcomes, and perceptions of fisheries regulations. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Cramér’s V to compare angler experience groups.
Results: More than 85 % of respondents rated biodiversity, ocean cleanliness, and conservation as “very important.” Expert fishers assigned significantly higher importance than tournament fishers to ocean cleanliness, biodiversity protection, and scenic beauty (χ², p < 0.05; Cramér’s V = 0.18–0.22), while no significant differences were observed for conservation efforts. Intention to return was strongly associated with higher environmental valuation: more than 90 % of anglers in the top tercile reported plans to revisit Costa Rica, compared with fewer than 70 % in the lowest tercile.
Conclusions: Environmental attributes are central to the satisfaction of U.S. and Canadian anglers in Costa Rica, contrasting with findings of North American studies where catch outcomes tend to dominate. Protecting billfish populations and consolidating best practices, including inclusive initiatives to attract women anglers, are critical for maintaining Costa Rica’s ecological integrity and tourism competitiveness.
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