 |
|
      |
 Published
Thursday, June 11, 2020years in jail and $58,000-plus fine By the A.M. Costa Rica staff Marine resources, threatened by pollution and climate change, currently face another issue: illegal fishing. According to the Ministry of Public, annually, between 150 and 200 complaints are registered for illegal fishing crimes. In the province of Puntarenas, most of the complaints are registered, due to the area with the greatest fishing exploitation. Also, in this province more organizations stop and denounce illegal fishing, such as the National Coast Guard Service and operators in the tourism sector, said Alejandro Alpízar, environmental prosecutor. According to Alpízar, “illegal fishing is any type of activity that does not comply with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Law, for example, to carry out fishing activities, you need a license; fishing without a license it is a crime.” The Fisheries law fines for this crime range from $770 to $58,700. There are also crimes with more severe penalties, such as shark finning. This illegal activity is sanctioned with prison anywhere from six months to two years. Another crime is fishing by using toxic substances or explosives. The penalty could be up to 10 years in prison. The Environmental Prosecutor's Office developed a guideline in joint work with the Public Ministry, Ministry of Security, among other institutions, to speed investigations of crimes of illegal fishing. Also, the prosecution developed a photograph system making it easier to file complaints. People can now open complaints with a photograph in which the plate number or registration of a boat is displayed. Complaints also can be filed anonymously. Accusations can also be made to the 9-1-1 emergency line or the environmental complaint line 11-92. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO, 59.6 million people are dedicated to fish, of these only 4% are located in Latin America and the Caribbean. "That statistic reveals the importance of the activity, but at the same time gives an idea of its impact on natural resources," the Prosecutor's said in its statement. "The harmful effect increases when fishing is illegal." In Costa Rica, foreign fishing organizations enter the country's waters and take away the resources, which causes local fishermen to see a decrease in the amount of fish caught in an already diminishing natural resource, Prosecutor's Alpízar said. For these reasons, in order for local fishermen "to maintain their economic activity and support their families, they need to fish more and more, which generates a negative effect as they compete more for less available fish," he added.  To recover the marine resource, the government announced in June the beginning of the closed season in the Golfito sea. The fishery ban season is from June 1 to August 31, in the waters of the Nicoya Gulf in Puntarenas Province. It was ordered by the government "based on scientific data for the regeneration of marine resources, in order to ensure that the State can protect biological diversity as part of its natural heritage, as well as the protection and recovery of species of interest," announced the Fishery Institute. Fishing prohibition applies to professional and commercial activities. The artisanal fish as self-consumption remains an exception. People who choose to artisanal fish, must do so by using rods, reels or hand ropes that can be used individually by the fisherman. "The product obtained through domestic fishing may not be sold or marketed, the hooks used must be size 6 or 7 and type J, among others,” said the Institute. According to the Institute, the ban has been applied since 1985 to protect marine resources. The prohibition area extends from Punta Torres to the Negritos Island Lighthouse, and from there to Punta Cuchillos, on the Nicoya Peninsula. To control illegal fishing during the prohibition season, the Institute announces that the National Coast Guard Service, the Ministry of Security, Air Surveillance Service and other police forces will keep close monitoring of the Gulf of Nicoya. In addition, the Social Aid Institute announced the implementation of the temporary economic subsidy of ˘145,000 colones per month, approximately $255, which will be delivered to 1,473 fishermen and their helpers. Recipients are those who have been registered as legal fishermen in the Gulf area and who will see their income decrease because of the prohibition of fishing. According to the Institute, approximately $1,124,821 has been budgeted to provide these subsidies. However, only fishermen who have no delays on Social Security monthly quota payment and also carry out community work assigned by the Institute can apply for the aid. People interested in receiving monetary aid during the prohibition of fishing can make their queries to the Institute of Aid by calling 506 2202-4000. -------------------------------------- What do you know about illegal fishery in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
          |
  |
|
|
  |
