Fisheries co-management: Evaluation and long-term outcomes in Tarcoles, Costa Rica

Fisheries stakeholders have identified the need to implement fisheries management approaches that ensure sustainable practices while addressing the economic interests of fishers. Co-management of fisheries resources, where communities collaborate with government regulators to develop fishery policy, has gained traction in Costa Rica. The "Area Marina de Pesca Responsable de Tarcoles" ("Tarcoles Responsible Fishing Marine Area" or RFMA) is an example were the Tarcoles artisanal fishing cooperative, CoopeTarcoles R.L., has developed and implemented a regulatory structure using the co-management model. This dissertation evaluates the short-term outcomes and long-term implications of the RFMA using Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE). This EwE analysis represents the first multi-species, time-dynamic model of the Gulf of Nicoya (GoN). Results of this analysis can inform CoopeTarcoles R.L. and the conservation community of those factors which may contribute to the success of the Tarcoles RFMA. Lessons and insights gained from researching the Tarcoles RFMA can also supplement management efforts for other RFMAs established in Costa Rica.