Costa Rica Launches Annual Three-Month Fishing Ban in the Gulf of Nicoya
Costa Rica enforces a seasonal fishing ban in the Gulf of Nicoya from May 1 to July 31, 2026, to protect marine breeding cycles and local economies.
By: AXL Media
Published: May 1, 2026, 7:10 AM EDT
Source: The Tico Times
Scope and Geographic Boundaries
The restriction covers a significant portion of the gulf, specifically the area extending from Punta Torres (Peñón) to the Isla Negritos Lighthouse. The boundary continues east toward Punta Cuchillos on the Nicoya Peninsula and inland to the mouth of the Tempisque River between Puerto Níspero and Puerto Moreno.
Managed by the Costa Rican Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INCOPESCA), the ban specifically targets the protection of breeding and growth windows for species such as:
Queen Corvina
Aguada
Picuda
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