This paper looks at sociocultural correlates of success among small scale fisherman in northwest Costa Rica. The principal goal of most international development agencies today is to provide for the basic human needs of the poor of the world. This basic human needs approach to development is rather clear in its emphasis on improving the health status, nutrition, education, water supplies, and shelter of the world's poor. The approach, however, also stresses the satisfaction of non-material needs such as "participation, cultural identity, and a sense of purpose in life and work". This perception of basic human needs suggests that their satisfaction must be accomplished in a locally appropriate manner if we are to achieve the stated goals. Few studies have investigated the correlates of success among small-scale fisherman, a fact which makes it difficult to generate hypotheses to guide the present research.