Women fishers, shrimp peelers and mollusk workers in Costa Rica identify priority areas for the recognition and formalisation of their work. Costa Rica is a country with great marine biodiversity and has an important cultural heritage in its coastal marine areas. However, recognition and opportunities for decent work for the country’s small-scale fishers and mollusk gatherers, especially for women who work mainly in pre- and post-fishing activities, are scarce.

The country does not have a fishing census; therefore, the information on the number of fisherpeople in the country’s various fishing categories is not up-to-date. There is even less information that can be used to analyse and recognise the role and importance of women in the small-scale artisanal fishing sector and value chains. Women contribute not only to small-scale artisanal fishing but also to various types of pre- and post-capture activities, such as processing and marketing of fishery products – activities which are pillars of support for the sector but continue to be poorly recognised.