MarViva Foundation denounces illegal fishing in protected areas

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Published on Thursday, 01 December 2011 22:00

Written by Super User

Sharks are species that are essential for the health of the oceans; they help control populations of other species, thus preventing imbalances in the marine environment. Photo ©Kai BENSON

San José, Costa Rica. 14/Oct/2011. The MarViva Foundation denounces the illegal fishing and shark finning done by fishing boats in marine protected areas, as occurred today in the Malpelo Flora and Fauna Sanctuary in the Colombian Pacific region, which as estimated to have killed at least 2,000 sharks.

The complaint was filed by Senior Presidential Advisor for Biodiversity Sandra Bessudo, who said that Costa Rican vessels have taken advantage of the absence of Navy coast guards to capture specimens and remove their fins in order to sell them in the Asian market.

Regarding the complaint, the MarViva Foundation asks that the events do not recur and that the governments make an example of sanctioning illegal fishing, especially when it occurs in marine protected areas and World Heritage Sites. These kinds of crimes are becoming increasingly common and they undermine the sustainability of marine resources and the subsistence of communities and industries in these large hotbeds of life, their main resource source.

We reiterate our support to the governments of Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama, areas where MarViva works for the responsible management of activities in the sea, taking the measures necessary for the conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources.

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