The Law of Fisheries, Aquaculture and related activities was published in the Official Gazette. The law promotes the training of fishermen and establishes the participation of the sector in decision making.

The new legal framework establishes a National Fisheries Conservation and Administration Plan, creates the National Fisheries Information and Statistics System, eliminates discretionally in fisheries management and promotes good fishing practices.

The new law regulates the use of beaches and shores for the landing and departure of vessels, creates legal support for artisanal fishing, the distinction between semi-industrial and industrial fishing, dictates regulations for sport fishing and establishes traceability guaranteeing better commercialization and legal exercise of fishing.

Laestrella.com.pa reviews that “… this law had been initially vetoed by the Executive Body in December 2020, which qualified at least 13 articles as “inconvenient” and another 3 as ‘inexecutable’.”

The article adds that “… according to the presidential veto, some of the changes made at the time by the National Assembly to Bill 131, constituted inconsistencies and substantive gaps, which would also generate conflicts with pre-existing regulations and a distancing from international agreements that the Republic of Panama has ratified.”

See full law (in Spanish).

Stay Safe!!