Exploring Alternatives for the Economic Inclusion of Low-Income, Artisanal Fisher Communities in Costa Rica : Case Study of Artisanal Fishing and Mollusk Gathering Communities in Puerto Cortés and Golfo Dulce

This note provides insights into socio-economic conditions and economic inclusion opportunities for two low-income, artisanal fishing and mollusk-gathering communities in Costa Rica, and explores the role of social protection (SP) programs in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. It shows how, despite Costa Rica’s strong SP system, a portion of poor and vulnerable fisheries workers have challenges accessing SP programs. The note also explores the nature of the economic activities in the studied fisheries’ communities, their labor demands, and the challenges faced by the population to access the labor market and income-generating activities. Recognizing the institutional dynamics of the social and fisheries sectors, this Note provides recommendations for promoting synergies between fisheries management and SP. It highlights the need for a multidimensional, multi-stakeholder approach that enables long term social and economic inclusion of poor and vulnerable fisheries communities. Improving targeting and profiling mechanisms, identifying selected groups that may have a higher likelihood to engage in economic inclusion programs, and tailoring existing programs to poor and vulnerable and fishers, are critical paths to sustainable social and economic inclusion.