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News and Alerts
Hello friends,
On November 23,the documentary Shark
Water opens in Costa Rican
theaters. This documentary shows the reality of shark finning
practices in Costa Rica, centered on actions that took place
during the presidencies of Rodriguez (1998-2002) and Pacheco
(2002-2006). The events portrayed in this film obviously sully
the reputation of Costa Rica as a worldconservation leader.
The authorities ofthe Arias administration (2006-2010), especially
the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Relations
are interested in exploring ways to improve the conservation and
management of sharks in Costa Rica andregionally. This is, without
a doubt, a great opportunity for Costa Ricato show the world their
commitment to shark conservation, and to put an end to shark finning.
The first step SHOULD be the compliance of the law. The Costa Rican
Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INCOPESCA), the General
Direction of Migration, and the Department of Navigation and Security
of the Ministry of Transportation, ARE OBLIGATED to comply with
the January 2006 mandates of the ConstitutionalCourt (only spanish
version) and the General Controllership of the Republic (only spanish
version) of February 2007, which ORDER that the authorities prohibit,
IMMEDIATELY, that international fishing fleets land shark products
on the private docks of Puntarenas that are not a part of public
infrastructure.
Unfortunately, as has occurred uninterrupted for the last three
administrations, the law continues to be violated (only Spanish
version) on the private docks in Puntarenas every day. So far this
year, 79 internationally-owned fishing vessels have ILLEGALLY landed
a total of 2,400 tons of sharks on private docks, a flagrant violation
of our laws and the mandates of the Constitutional Court and the
National Controllership. Why does this administration continue
supporting this illegal and destructive practice?
This is where we need YOU!
Attached is a draft letter we are requesting our friends to send to Carlos Villalobos,
the President of Costa Rica's Fishery Institute INCOPESCA. It is best if you
can send the letter via FAX to:
Carlos Villalobos (506) 248-1585
With a copy to PRETOMA: (506) 236 6017
OR, send him an email to cvillas@racsa.co.cr,
and to his secretary rocioperezp@yahoo.es
With a copy to PRETOMA: info@tortugamarina.org
You can also sign the draft letter directly from ourwebsite, click here.
Also, check our website for updates www.tortugamarina.org and sign up for PRETOMA
news.
Since the movie is playing on November 23, we have
set a deadline for November 19 to receive emails and FAXs. A package with the
signatures will be given to Carlos Villalobos and the press on the November 20.
It may be possible to convince the authorities to abide by the law, but we don't
have much time. Send us your letter of support ASAP, and don't forget to distribute
this message to your friends,family, colleague.
Attached is some background information.
It has been a long 6 years since we started this Sardinian campaign in Costa
Rica, and exposed the manipulation of scientific information and the violation
of our laws to favor the shark fin industry.
Some things have changed, no doubt. Costa Rica was the first country in the region
to mandate the landing of shark fins only if attached to the body in natural
form (August, 2006), and is currently leading a regional and global process to
ban shark finning worldwide. However, it must also be pointed out that truly
enough, Costa Rica boasts the most progressive shark finning regulations in the
region, but that was only after the Congress (Asamblea Legislativa) ruled out
the use of 12.7% fin to body weight ratio in March of 2005, and 3 resolutions
from the National Attorney who ordered fins to be landed attached naturally to
the body, and NOT hacked off and tied back together again by strings, as INCOPESCA
promoted. These were significant steps, as major loopholes with allowed shark
finning were closed. It must also be pointed out that these important steps have
been attained after a process of several years starting 6 years back, with the
collaboration of many government institutes, including the Ministry of Environment,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Environment Commission of the Congress, the Costa
Rican Coast Guard, the Costa Rican General Attorney, and the Costa Rican Defender
of the People (Ombudsman).
Unfortunately, it still hasn't been possible to close the MAJOR loophole in Costa
Rica which may facilitate shark finning operations,which is the use of the private
docks by international flag vessels. Costa Rica Customs legislation mandates
the use of public docks on behalf of the international fleet. The Costa Rican
courts have acknowledged that within the privacy of the docks, it is impossible
to protect the public interest, and direct orders have been issued by two Courts
mandating the existence and use of public infrastructure at private docks. The
efforts of all the collaborating institutions, as well as Costa Rica's reputation,
are tarnished by INCOPESCA's, Custom's, and the Ministry of Public Transportation's
collective unwillingness to abide by the LAW.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Randall Arauz
President, PRETOMA
Co-Chair, Central American Shark Specialist Group, IUCN
Leader, AVINA
grarauz@tortugamarina.org
info@tortugamarina.org
Tel (506) 241 5227/236-0884
www.tortugamarina.org
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