Marlin Fly Project

About

Southwestern Baja, Mexico is full of authentic culture and community, built alongside an untamed ecosystem that, for three to four months a year, features quite possibly the most incredible striped marlin population on the planet. Striped marlin have only a brief history of minimal scientific research – making them one of the least understood billfish species – especially in this region of the globe, where they are the star of the show for ecotourism.

With the hopes of better understanding and protecting this important fishery, Costa’s Marlin Fly Project was born, and in December 2022, Costa ventured to Magdalena Bay to partner with Los Locos in pursuit of Striped Marlin on the fly.

Working directly with the local community, and bringing along top scientists from The Billfish Foundation, International Game Fish Association (IGFA), and the University of Southern Mississippi Center for Fisheries Research & Development, as well as some of the most talented Costa Pros from across the globe, the Marlin Fly Project successfully deployed 15 satellite tags – (in a mere 24 hours, from a panga!) – followed by 20 traditional spaghetti tags.

Findings from The Marlin Fly Project will help fill crucial data gaps on an understudied striped marlin population, which will be vital for the protection and management of this highly migratory species (HMS).

Marlin Fly Project

Community

Together with the help of Costa Pros, conservation partners, leading fisheries scientists, the Los Locos Mag Bay staff, local captains, and the community of San Carlos, Mexico, the inaugural Marlin Fly Project made history.

Inspired by their connection and commitment to the community, Costa partnered with our friends at Los Locos for this mission. Indifly, the original Costa project that spawned into a full-time organization, joined the mission to identify a potential social impact project.

We partnered with Finns West to outfit the Los Locos operation and guide boats with safety equipment and training, and involved Travel Creel to host cooking classes in the community,source produce, meats and seafood from local fisherman and farmers to prepare dinners each night to feed our crew.

On the final night, we hosted the local guide’s families and friends together for dinner (and dancing) in celebration of the success of our mission, which can be directly attributed to their hospitality and guidance. Our mission has always been to do good work that the local community can be passionate about, proud of and participate from start to finish.

Marlin Fly Project

Background

It’s not just what we do. It’s who we are. A brand model that ties deep to our roots and hasn’t wavered in our 40 years of existence. Much like the mangroves’ role in our beloved watery world, Community X Conservation is what gives Costa life. Everything we do flows from it. It’s what makes us more than just a sunglass brand. It’s where we find our sense of purpose – a higher calling if you will.

A higher calling to protect the waters we love, to connect those, like us, that truly come to life on the water, and to conserve the life within.

The Skillie Project

Team

Peter Chaibongsai

Project Lead, TBF

Hannah Trotter

Project Communications

Capt. Joe Gugino

Project Partnerships

Matt Rissell

Videographer

Matt Foley

Photographer

Capt. John Galvin

Captain, El Diablo

Capt. Robbie Goodwin

Captain, Scup Slayer

Dr. Walter Golet

Lead Scientist, UMaine

Sammi Nadeau

Scientist, UMaine

Capt. Martin Scanlan

Captain Whiskey, UMaine

Marlin Fly Project

Sponsors

The Skillie Project

Community Support

Capt. Bob Goodwin

Fishery Pioneer

Doug Lindley

Fishery Pioneer

George Bassett

Matt Reimeno & Fishing Nantucket

Jonas Baker & Brotherhood of Theives

Bonnie Lema & Nantucket Anglers Club

Slip 14

Cisco Brewing

Peter Van Dingstee

Logo Artist & Owner Pete’s Fishing Tales

Get on Board

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Important Deadlines

FEB
14
2025 Tag & Release Ceremony Room Block
MAR
21
2025 Tag & Release Ceremony Tickets