Costa Rica to Limit Fishing in the Nicoya Peninsula for Mating Seasons.

Starting this Thursday, fishing in the Gulf of Nicoya, which empties out to the Pacific Ocean, will be prohibited. The measure comes as an attempt by the Costa Rican Institute of Fishing and Aquaculture (Incopesca) to prevent the over exploitation of fish in the region and to allow them to reproduce to insure the sustainability of the industry. The ban will last through the months of May and June and again in October.

Specifically, the ban will prevent semi-industrial shrimp boats within a zone that goes Punta Torres to Peñón, Isla Negritos, Punta Cuchillo and the Tempisque River. Fishing is banned year-round in the area from the Cruise dock in Puntarenas to the Isla Negritos, Punta Cuchillo and Tempisque River.

Sardine fishing with closed nets is allowed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays within the protected zone and crabbing is allowed in general.

Artisan fishermen, who are known for their low impact fishing, will also be restricted from fishing with nets, however they may use fishing lines that follow strict guidelines regarding length and number of hooks.

Foreseeing the negative economical impact that these regulations will have on local fishermen, Incopesca has set up a list of people who are eligible to receive a monthly subsidy of $110 from the Institute of Mixed Social Assistance (IMAS). To receive the subsidy, the eligible people must register and participate in manual labor projects that will be supervised by Incopesca.

Incopesca will also be in charge of monitoring Costa Rica fishing in the Gulf of Nicoya along with the National Coast Guards and Police Force to be sure that the regulations are followed.

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Filed under: Sports on April 29th, 2008