No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveCosta Rica expands protection around Cocos Island

Costa Rica expands protection around Cocos Island

On March 3, President Laura Chinchilla announced new regulatory measures aimed at protecting the immense marine resources around Cocos Island, Costa Rica’s famed island and marina national park. Under the name of Seamounts Marine Management Area, the newly issued decree establishes more strict controls mainly on fishing, as well as tourism and research activities.

Costa Rican fishermen living on the Pacific coast may continue commercial fishing activities inside the newly protected area as long as they abide by new rules that encourage sustainable practices.

“We want fishermen to wisely catch their preys, according to proper age and weight criteria and by using technologies that are not intrusive for other species,” said Chinchilla.

The decree would also enforce the protection of marine turtles, rays, tuna, dolphin fish and other endangered species.

The Costa Rican Fisheries Institute will be in charge of issuing fishing licenses, according to the regulatory plans authorized by the National Conservancy Area System.

“For us, this is a smart government decision. Besides the protection granted to several marine species, the implementation of these new rules will directly benefit the small tuna fishers and will refrain foreign flagged ships from fishing abuse,” said Randall Arauz, director of Pretoma, a Costa Rican foundation focused on protecting marine turtles.

“It is a timely and important decision. Unfortunately, we’ve witnessed how these laws and regulations remain in print. I think it is hard to believe that authorities will patrol this huge area with their scarce resources,” said Luis Marín, director of Preserve Planet, one of the leading environmental organizations in the country.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Indigenous Leader Pablo Sibar Petitions IACHR for Protection

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) heard a petition this week to strengthen precautionary measures for Brörán indigenous leader Pablo Sibar. The request...

Guatemala Nears Verdict in Case of 41 Girls Killed in 2017 Shelter Fire

A Guatemalan court began on Tuesday the final hearing in the trial of seven former officials over the deaths of 41 girls in a...

Costa Rica Hosts Global Research on Sharks and Pollution

Bahía Santa Elena is one of the best-preserved marine areas in the Costa Rica, renowned for its biological richness, scenic beauty, and ecological importance....

UN Report Warns Costa Rica Faces Record Surge in Social Media Hate Speech

A new United Nations report released yesterday shows hate speech and discrimination on social media in Costa Rica hit a record 2.1 million messages...

Panama Secures Japanese Loan for Metro Line as Canal Tensions Rise

Panama has signed a $2.486 billion loan agreement with Japan to fund the construction of Metro Line 3. Officials finalized the deal on August...

Costa Rica Moves Ahead with New High-Security Prison

Costa Rica plans to break ground this year on a large maximum-security prison, taking cues from El Salvador's approach to locking down serious offenders....
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica