Paul Watson: “In Costa Rica, all sharks have been placed on death row”

(Creative Commons)

October 7^th, 2015 (ICR News) The eco-activist founder of the Sea Shepard Society, Captain Paul Watson, who is still wanted by Costa Rica for allegedly endangering the crew of a Costa Rican fishing vessel in 2002 which he claims was conducting illegal shark finning, took to Facebook on Tuesday to respond to a story published by ICR News, and condemn the government of Costa Rica as a “disgrace to the international conservation community.”

A report published Tuesday by ICR News revealed that 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.

Responding to the report, Watson condemned the Costa Rica government.

“Endangered sharks and turtles are now considered expendable commodities in Costa Rica by greedy individuals who are personally profiting by robbing the nation of Costa Rica.

This week Ecuador declared all sharks protected, in the Galapagos National Park Marine Reserve, and yet Costa Rica with all their glossy public relations brochures bragging about their “green” nation have put both sharks and turtles on death row,” Watson responded to the report on Facebook. “Costa Rica is a disgrace to the international conservation community.”

“For years Costa Rica has been trafficking in shark fins and turtle eggs with weak and bogus claims that they take these activities seriously. The truth is they never have. Shipments of shark fins have consistently been exported to China and Nicaragua has used Costa Rica to export some 30 tons of shark fins every year,” Watson continued.

Watson also laments INCOPESCA, the agency in charge of the country’s fisheries.  “The stench of corruption in INCOPESCA has now become so strong that only the stupidest of Ticos (Costa Ricans) could now believe that this government agency is not in the pocket of wildlife traffickers,” Watson said.

“The real reason that Costa Rica wants me extradited has been underscored by the news today (Tuesday) that Costa Rica has declared absolute support for the shark finners and the outlaw fishing operations that have corrupted the Costa Rican political system for years,” Watson added.