Panama is about to make a huge mistake unless it is careful. A few greedy companies involved in industrial fishing are trying to open up long line industrial fishing, even within sensitive park areas. Someone needs to wake up!

The government and the private sector are discussing the possibility of eliminating the ban on industrial longline fishing that has been in place since 2010, and regulating the activity.

Between 2008 and 2016, fish exports fell from $419 million to $128 million, reflecting a decline in activity and loss of competitiveness compared to other countries such as Costa Rica and Ecuador, where industrial longline fishing is permitted. As a measure to revive the fishing industry, the government is evaluating eliminating the ban imposed by the Martinelli administration in 2010 and allowing use of this technique.

Prensa.com reports that “…According to the last government, longline fishing led to huge catches because lines with hooks incidentally caught species such as sharks, turtles and rays that did not survive, despite being returned to the sea. However, according to some fishers, this regulation directly impacted exports of tuna and dorado, two migratory species, which are now captured by neighboring countries. “

Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade Néstor González explained that “… the loss of position of the Panamanian fishing industry and its exporting status has allowed for the re-adjustment of other producing countries in the region, such as Costa Rica and Ecuador, which have filled the void Left by Panama”.

If the initiative is successful and industrial longline fishing is regulated, closed periods and specific fishing grounds will be established, and vessels, both industrial and artisanal, will need to have a GPS system so that their catches can be monitored.