Costa Rica has the officially recognized Fishing Committee of the United Nations the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines, adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at its 31º session in June 2014.
In an Executive Decree, the State of Costa Rica recognizes the important contribution of the artisanal and small-scale fishing sector and considers it a priority for those in the the subsistence, artisanal and small-scale fisheries sector, in order for them to have a reliable and fair livelihood.
The Decree states that the Ministry of Work and Social Security, responsible for labour matters, ought to promote and guarantee proper working conditions and human rights, as proclaimed by national and international legislation.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the Institute of Fishing and Aquaculture of Costa Rica, the Ministry of Environment and Energy amd the Ministry of Work and Social Security has been tasked with follow-up activities.