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Costa Rica says it will not protect any shark species of “commercial interest”

(Creative Commons)

(Creative Commons)

October 6th, 2015 (ICR News) In a move that is being condemned by numerous conservation groups, the government of Costa Rican president, Luis Guillermo Solis has promised the commercial fishing sector that it will “not propose or support” the inclusion of shark species with commercial value to be protected in Costa Rican waters – or anywhere, for that matter – regardless if such species are threatened or endangered.

 

“The government of Costa Rica has agreed it will not propose or support the inclusion of shark species with commercial interest in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS),” reads part of a letter sent by the Minister of the Presidency, Sergio Alfaro sent to environmental organizations.

 

In the letter, the government appears to have yielded to pressure and demands by the commercial fishing sector after a series of protests and blockades of public highways that took place in September, some of which turned violent, leading the government to negotiate with the sector.

 

Not only has the government promised the commercial fishing sector to not protect any shark species deemed of commercial interest, the government will actively take part in the promotion of shark fin exports, according to Pretoma, a conservation NGO.

 

As part of its negotiations with the commercial fishing sector, the government “commits to intermediate between international couriers that have committed to stop transporting shark fins to resume these activities, even though they did so in abidance to their own corporate environmental policy,” Pretoma said in a statement sent to ICR News.

 

Earlier this year, American Airlines announced that they would no longer ship shark fins after a story appearing on ICR News identified the airline as the shipper of more than 600 kilos of the fins from Costa Rica between November and December 2014.

 

“We were quite surprised when we learned of the agreements reached by the environmental and fisheries authorities [...] These commitments are contrary to the best scientific evidence, the precautionary principle, as well as the general international consensus regarding the management of sharks”, said Marco Quesada, of Conservation International.

 

“The conduct of the current authorities and their advisors is not only irresponsible, it lacks technical foundation and occurs at the margin of current legislation. A setback of such magnitude damages our country’s image, as it contradicts our image of a conservation minded country,” warned Randall Arauz, of Pretoma.

 

WIDECAST, Fundación Marviva,Pretoma, Conservación Internacional, AIDA, Misión Tiburón, UESPRA, Fundación KETO, The Leatherback Trust, Asociación Costa Rica por Siempre, Biocenosis, Fundación Amigos de la Isla del Coco, Sea Sheperd, Cedarena, and Promar are just some of the NGOs condemning the government’s actions.

 

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  • Roberto

    Despicable, etc.!!! Solis cannot protect the sharks from fining while he is asking the Chinese to buy $1 billion in bonds from Costa Rica.

  • Diego Villalobos Ulate

    And this is how we lose Costa Rica to big business! But I promise we will fight back! Guillermo SolÍs you disappointed us. You and your corrupt party MUST GO!

  • Roberto

    Paul Watson, “”Everything looks good on paper but not in practice. Costa Rica is one of the worst poaching nations in Latin America. Sea Shepherd joined other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to denounce the irresponsible attitude of the government of Costa Rica to marine conservation,” said Watson, a publication which appeared in his official Facebook page.

  • Suzanne Calhoun

    This is yet another idiotic move by the Costa Rican government! Not only will they not protect them but they will negotiate on behalf of the butchers to get the fund exported? I hope the airlines do not give in and support the export of the fins. This makes me sick.

  • stfree

    Costa Rica: The leader in environmental protection. What a f’n laugh. Notice to US airlines: You fly shark fins? You will never fly me or mine.

  • disgusted

    WHAT The Heck. I had to re read this article to make sure I even read it right. .. So the fix is in for the slaughter of sharks for their fins. China is laughing at the stupid President and the 1 billion bond they will get back TEN fold. What else has Solis and his group giving away in secret side deals God only knows.

  • james chavis

    Amazing,the fishing ‘sector’?I think it’s Caldera,that’s the most modern bridge in C.R.,and who built it? Clue,who likes shark fin soup?

  • Melania Jones

    LGS you… i cant e ven write, so angry. This stupid Man in destroying my country.

  • lisa joy miller

    Tell Guillermo as a US citizen I am encouraging all my social media contacts to Boycott Costa Rica – Wont be travelling here or buying anything from or in Costa Rica. Shame on you

  • Chris Thomas

    CR government one of the top ten most corrupt countries on planet earth.

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