Randall Arauz1, Jorge Ballestero2, Irene Boza3, Miguel Gómez4

1,2,3,4Programa Restauración de Tortugas Marinas, PRETOMA1203-1100Tibás, San José, Costa Rica. info@tortugamarina.org

Introduction

The Costa Rican shrimp trawl fleet of 59 vessels is estimated to catch up to 15,632 sea turtles per year. As of May 1 of 1996, the United States has enforced Public Law No. 101-162, which imposes an embargo on shrimp imports from nations that do not take measures to protect sea turtles from drowning in shrimp trawl nets. The expected measure to be taken in the implementation of the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) in the shrimp fleets of nations where interactions with sea turtles proves to threaten their survival.

Since 1995, PRETOMA has developed TED evaluation research and technology transfer programs for the Costa Rican shrimp trawl fleet. Over the years, PRETOMA has facilitated the visits of NMFS fishing gear experts and the inventor of the TED himself, Georgia shrimp fisherman Sinkey Boone. Furthermore, a TED was especially developed for use under Costa Rican fishing conditions, kindly named the “Tico TED”.

Unfortunately, the fleet has been reluctant to use TEDs, which has earned the country 3 embargoes since 1999. Furthermore, shrimp trawlers frequently operate in Marine Protected Areas. For over 2.5 years no vessels in Costa Rica have been sanctioned for not using TEDs. Not only does this fishery have an obvious impact on sea turtles, it has impacted target shrimp species and other species of bycatch as well. Incredibly, the Costa Rican government granted this industry US$3,000,000.00 worth of subsidized fuel in 2006.

Costa Rica is in urgent need of reforming its shrimp fishery. We are currently carrying out a campaign calling on President Oscar Arias to foster a responsible shrimp fishery in Costa Rica.

First TED in Costa Rica. May of 1995

Impact on target shrimp populations:

Shrimp production in Costa Rica has declined steadily 7.8% yearly since 1984, and is currently at its historic lowest.

Non compliance with TED regulations:

Since 2004, not a single shrimp trawler has been efficiently punished for failure to use TEDs.

Illegal shrimp trawl operations in Marine Protected Areas:

Shrimp trawlers constantly operate illegally in MPA’s, such as the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, and Las Baulas Marine National Park.

Vessel name Date Infraction StatusRaquel 07/01/2004 Wrong bar spacing uncertainDoña Cunda 18/02/2004 No TEDs uncertainPunta Guiones 02/07/2004 No TEDs AppealingCapitán Lostalo 08/07/2004 Right TED sewn shut Under studyNautilius II 08/07/2004 Both TEDs sewn shut Under studyCapitán Yerald 02/09/2004 Both TEDs sewn shut Under studyEl Baturro 12/11/2004 No TEDs Under studySonia J 08/03/2005 Both TEDs sewn shut Under studyAna Lourdes ND Both TEDs sewn shut Under studyJoshua 30/08/2006 Both TEDs sewn shut Audience pendingBucanero II 30/09/2006 Long flap, only 1 TED Audience pendingTalmana II ND uncertain Audience pendingMaria Aurelia 30/08/2006 Long flap, wrong angle Audience pending

Wicked Subsidies:

In spite of the damage done to the marine environment, and the total disregard towards our national fishery legislation, the Costa Rican government granted this industry US$3 million worth of subsidized fuel in 2006. The same number of vessels were granted US$1 million in 2005.

These subsidies make even less sense when considering the values of exports. In 1984, Costa Rica exported wild shrimp worthUS$14 million. Currently, exports don’t even reach US$1.5 million.

Call on President Arias to foster a responsible shrimp fishery

We are calling on President Arias to:

• Reduce fishing effort 70%. Mandatory independent observers on board remaining vessels. No operations in the Gulf of Nicoya nor Golfo Dulce. No operations within 3 miles of mainland.

• Eliminate subsidies to the shrimp trawling industry.

• Promote a national certification for shrimp captured by artisinal fishermen.

The campaign will be complemented with a Constitutional Lawsuit against INCOPESCA for violating our right to a healthy and sustainable marine environment

Support our campaign. Add your name to a sign-on letter to our President.

Sponsors: