TBF's Central American Tagging Program is a way to increase scientific data coming from Central American sportfishing. The highly migratory fisheries of Central America are very valuable. Sportfishing is very important to fisheries conservation and the data from tagging and release of billfish supports science and conservation policy. The Billfish Foundation (TBF) has a tradition of action in Central America and is a global leader in programs that support sportfishing and fisheries management administrations as well.
It is with the recognition of this importance that The Billfish Foundation launches the Central American Tagging Program and Sportfishing Data Collection System. Within the framework of the Central American Tagging Program TBF distributes thousands of tags to sportfishing interests in Central American countries. With tags and reports of catch rates of species important to sportfishing (tuna, dolphin, wahoo), TBF and participating fishermen can illustrate the importance of healthy oceans and sustainable management of fisheries of the high seas. Through the Sportfishing Data Collection System, information about catch rates and fishing effort will be used to create a baseline of sportfishing participation and levels of harvest. This information does not exist currently, but it is necessary for scientific assessment of population size.
These programs begin with a tour of workshops in Central American locations with high densities of sportfishing activity. These workshops are the first line in marine conservation. The Costa Rican and Nicaraguan tour schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, August 24: Golfito-Puerto Jimenez- Parrot Bay Lodge
Wednesday, August 25: Quepos- Hotel Kamuk
Thursday, August 26: Los Sueños-Marina Los Sueños
Friday, August 27: Guanacaste-Playas del Coco Palms Hotel
Saturday, August 28: San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua-Hotel Gran Oceano
Workshops are scheduled for an hour and a half, from 5:00- 6:30 pm. The workshops will include:
1. An introduction of TBF and the Central American Tagging Program
2. An introduction of OSPESCA by the national representative
3. A description of the Sportfishing Data Collection System
4. Registration of participating boats, captains, and anglers
5. Distribution of tags and program literature
After the workshop, which will be approximately one hour, there will be time for questions and suggestions on how to augment the programs. Coffee and refreshments will also be provided.
Boats participating in the programs receive benefits including: tags, tagging equipment, Program stickers for boats, and publicity on TBF's website. Just as TBF is a membership organization, TBF members use the website as a reference to charter services. In this way, through the increase in clients, participating boats enjoy economic benefits while supporting regional conservation.
Results of the Programs will include:
1.Construction of a database of harvest levels and sportfishing participation in Central America
2.The increase in capacity of national fisheries administrations in Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Belize,Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador;
3. Increase in recapture rates of tagged billfish. The recapture of tagged fish is of great importance to science and conservation programs; and,
4. Demonstration of the importance of recreational fishing. TBF would like to thank all of the participants in this important program. With the tags and tagging equipment there are instructions on how to fill out the data reports and how to enter data electronically. For more information on the TBF Central American Tagging Program, visit: www.billfish.org
