Randall Arauz1, Jorge Ballestero2, Irene Boza3, Miguel Gmez4

1
Randall Arauz1, Jorge Ballestero2, Irene Boza3,
Miguel Gómez4 1,2,3,4Programa Restauración de Tor
tugas Marinas, PRETOMA 1203-1100Tibás, San José,
Costa Rica. info_at_tortugamarina.org
Wicked Subsidies In spite of the damage done to
the marine environment, and the total disregard
towards our national fishery legislation, the
Costa Rican government granted this industry US3
million worth of subsidized fuel in 2006. The
same number of vessels were granted US1 million
in 2005.
Introduction The Costa Rican shrimp trawl fleet o
f 59 vessels is estimated to catch up to 15,632
sea turtles per year. As of May 1 of 1996, the
United States has enforced Public Law No.
101-162, which imposes an embargo on shrimp
imports from nations that do not take measures to
protect sea turtles from drowning in shrimp trawl
nets. The expected measure to be taken in the
implementation of the Turtle Excluder Device
(TED) in the shrimp fleets of nations where
interactions with sea turtles proves to threaten
their survival. Since 1995, PRETOMA has developed
TED evaluation research and technology transfer
programs for the Costa Rican shrimp trawl fleet.
Over the years, PRETOMA has facilitated the
visits of NMFS fishing gear experts and the
inventor of the TED himself, Georgia shrimp
fisherman Sinkey Boone. Furthermore, a TED was
especially developed for use under Costa Rican
fishing conditions, kindly named the Tico TED.
Unfortunately, the fleet has been reluctant to
use TEDs, which has earned the country 3
embargoes since 1999. Furthermore, shrimp
trawlers frequently operate in Marine Protected
Areas. For over 2.5 years no vessels in Costa
Rica have been sanctioned for not using TEDs.
Not only does this fishery have an obvious impact
on sea turtles, it has impacted target shrimp
species and other species of bycatch as well.
Incredibly, the Costa Rican government granted
this industry US3,000,000.00 worth of subsidized
fuel in 2006. Costa Rica is in urgent need of ref
orming its shrimp fishery. We are currently
carrying out a campaign calling on President
Oscar Arias to foster a responsible shrimp
fishery in Costa Rica.
Impact on target shrimp populations
Shrimp production in Costa Rica has declined
steadily 7.8 yearly since 1984, and is currently
at its historic lowest.
These subsidies make even less sense when
considering the values of exports. In 1984, Costa
Rica exported wild shrimp worthUS14 million.
Currently, exports dont even reach US1.5
million.
Non compliance with TED regulations
Since 2004, not a single shrimp trawler has been
efficiently punished for failure to use TEDs.

• Call on President Arias to foster a responsible
  shrimp fishery
  
• We are calling on President Arias to
• Reduce fishing effort 70. Mandatory independent
  observers on board remaining vessels. No
  operations in the Gulf of Nicoya nor Golfo Dulce.
  No operations within 3 miles of mainland.
• Eliminate subsidies to the shrimp trawling
  industry.
  
• Promote a national certification for shrimp
  captured by artisinal fishermen.
  
• The campaign will be complemented with a
  Constitutional Lawsuit against INCOPESCA for
  violating our right to a healthy and sustainable
  marine environment
• Support our campaign. Add your name to a
  sign-on letter to our President.

Illegal shrimp trawl operations in Marine
Protected Areas Shrimp trawlers constantly opera
te illegally in MPAs, such as the Ostional
Wildlife Refuge, and Las Baulas Marine National
Park.
First TED in Costa Rica. May of 1995
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