Costa Rica is renowned for its vibrant fishing industry, both commercial and sport, thanks to its rich Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. The country’s waters are teeming with prized game fish such as sailfish, marlin (blue, black, and striped), roosterfish, dorado (mahi-mahi), yellowfin tuna, and tarpon, making it a top destination for anglers worldwide. The fishing industry has deep roots in Costa Rica’s coastal communities, with commercial fishing supporting local economies since the early 20th century, particularly in Puntarenas and Limón. In recent decades, the rise of sustainable sportfishing tourism has further boosted the economy, with strict catch-and-release practices for billfish and conservation efforts helping to preserve fish populations. Today, Costa Rica is celebrated for its record-breaking catches—especially of Pacific sailfish and marlin—cementing its reputation as a world-class fishing destination.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuna-like fishes nei | 20,290 |
| 2 | Common dolphinfish | 5,166 |
| 3 | Silky shark | 2,962 |
| 4 | Marine fishes nei | 1,124 |
| 5 | Marlins,sailfishes,etc. nei | 857 |
| 6 | Swordfish | 758 |
| 7 | Sharks, rays, skates, etc. nei | 752 |
| 8 | Striped marlin | 528 |
| 9 | Indo-Pacific sailfish | 459 |
| 10 | Clupeoids nei | 262 |
| 11 | Penaeus shrimps nei | 156 |
| 12 | Snappers, jobfishes nei | 137 |
| 13 | Caribbean spiny lobster | 75 |
| 14 | Groupers, seabasses nei | 61 |
| 15 | Freshwater fishes nei | 50 |
| 16 | Pacific seabobs | 11 |
| 17 | Wahoo | 9 |
| 18 | Ark clams nei | 7 |
| 19 | Marine crabs nei | 2 |
| 20 | Shortfin mako | 1 |
| 20 | Tropical spiny lobsters nei | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.