Signature of the decree establishing the methodology that determines the value and annual number of tuna fishing licenses in the EEZ.

Bill proposes to eliminate free permit for tuna fishing

COSTA RICA
Tuesday, March 26, 2019, 21:00 (GMT + 9)

The Executive Branch announced the presentation of a bill that seeks to regain control of the tuna wealth, generate resources that help improve fisheries and contribute to the sustainable development of fisheries in Costa Rica.

At the same time, the President of the Republic, Carlos Alvarado, and Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) Renato Alvarado signed a decree establishing the methodology that determines the value and annual amount of tuna fishing permits in the Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ) of the Costa Rican Pacific.

"The Government of Costa Rica has given priority to the reform of the fishing sector to improve the situation of the populations that depend on fishing and will seek to achieve this goal with the introduction of a series of actions, such as better management of the sector, the institutional capacity and the creation of a business environment leading to the participation of the private sector," explained the President of the Republic. 

The bill proposes to eliminate the free permits, formalize the criteria to establish the fee and regulate for all the catches to be unloaded in Costa Rica.

It also establishes that purse-seine vessels of national or foreign flag will not be able to carry out activities in marine areas where fishing is prohibited or in the zoning defined by the State.

The bill states that tuna fishing with purse-seine vessels within the first 60 nautical miles measured from the baseline of the coast will not be permitted and, without exception, no purse-seine tuna fishing vessels licensed in territorial waters of Costa Rica or with assigned capacity of Costa Rican fishing may carry out fishing on FADs.

The Decree establishes change in methodology

The decree signed this Monday (Nº41635-MAG) regulates the article 49 of the Fishing and Aquaculture Act, establishes a change in the methodology to determine the annual number of permits for tuna fishing with purse seines, the value of said licenses and the availability of raw material for the national tuna industry.

In addition, it establishes a public auction process for the delivery of these licenses in order to guarantee transparency and effectiveness in its distribution.

With the new estimation model, the cost of the fishing permits with purse seines will be determined and the availability of the raw material for the national industry will be guaranteed, with a value of compensation for the use of an asset belonging to the State and the income that INCOPESCA requires for its operation.

El Presidente de Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, mostrando el decreto firmado.

"The objective is to ensure the sustainability of the activity, promote improvements for the benefit of the sectors involved in the capture, processing and marketing of tuna as well as boost the socioeconomic development of the country," said the President.

"Oceanic or pelagic resources, such as yellowfin tuna, have a key strategic role as they have driven a national processing industry. But historically they have been little used by the national fishermen before the competition they have with foreign purse seine fleets that fish in Costa Rican waters through licenses, disembarking only a small fraction of their catches in Costa Rica," said Moisés Mug, INCOPESCA executive president.

He added that "the modifications seek to improve tuna fishing conditions for national fleets and a greater benefit to the country of access to this resource."

For his part, Minister Alvarado Rivera said that the change of this model will return the country control over its tuna wealth and generate resources that help improve fisheries.

"Improving fisheries management in Costa Rica, seeking sustainability in the use of resources, increase opportunities for economic development that the fishing sector can provide to the country and coastal communities and contribute to the resistance of this sector to climate change," he concluded.

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

Print