Anglers harassed off Costa Rica

How many times have captains and anglers aboard San Diego-based long-range sportfishing boats bemoaned the presence of commercial purse seiners, which can destroy a good tuna bite as quickly as they can get their nets in and out of the water?

About a month ago off Cabo San Lucas, super-seiners spent more than a week removing what seemed an entire age class of yellowfin tuna within a few miles from shore and well within sight of the sportfishing fleet and visiting anglers, who fuel the local economy and provide a boost to the overall Mexican economy. The seiners claimed to have permits and the Baja California Sur government did not stop the slaughter.

Now the focus is on Costa Rica; specifically the Quepos, Los Suenos and Cabo Blanco areas. The first such incident, on June 20, reportedly involved the use of explosives dropped from helicopter crews working as spotters for the large seiner vessels. The next day, a Nicaraguan-flagged vessel working for a "blind" Panamanian corporation, encircled seven sportfishing boats — two of them flying U.S. flags — with its net while the commercial fishermen yelled threats at the trapped anglers for about an hour. A similar incident occurred the next day, according to the Billfish Foundation, a Florida-based conservation group. A Billfish Foundation news release issued Tuesday afternoon explains how this came to light and what steps were taken by the Costa Rican government:

"Larry Drivon of Maverick Sportfishing Yachts contacted TBF's Chair, Joan Vernon, and Dr. Russell Nelson last Monday informing them of the series of incidents and supplying several video tapes and photos taken during the June 21 incident.  Nelson and TBF's Central American Conservation Director Herbert Nanne were in Panama representing TBF at the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission meeting at the time and immediately brought the matter to the attention of Carlos Villalobos, head of Costa Rica's fisheries agency INCOPESCA.  Upon viewing the tapes and photos, Villalobos acted decisively and quickly, ordering an immediate formal government investigation into these potentially criminal acts. He vowed that this type of incident would not be tolerated in Costa Rica.

"This afternoon, Nanne, along with INCOPESCA attorney Guillermo Ramirez, are scheduled to meet with the captains, crew and owners who were subjected to the harassment by the purse seiner at Los Suenos. Formal, sworn statements will be given to launch the investigation.  'TBF was happy to bring these dangerous actions to the attention of the proper officials,' said TBF President Ellen Peel, 'and we look forward to prompt justice from INCOPESCA — this vessel should be stripped of its permit to fish in Costa Rican waters and the incident should be reported to the Nicaraguan authorities as well.' "

As for proof, the Billfish Foundation has uploaded a short video of the June 21 incident. It's shaky but also scary. Fortunately, nobody was hurt.

—Pete Thomas

Comments

[Joaquin Rodriguez]

We heard of this situation last week and we are very concerned, Larry Drivon is a client of our an good friend. Our operation depends largely on visitors that come to enjoy sport fishing to Costa Rica. We are glad INCOPESCA and TBF are fighting for all of us.

[Alex Nott]

The human race is descending on Costa Rica and both are being destroyed. That is what we humans are good at: Profit as a means to an end, no matter what the cost. Over fishing, over development and no protection or enforcement to preserve this jewel that is Costa Rica, not even for the next generation, forget about 100 years from now. The world needs to fund efforts to save Costa Rica, not just Costa Ricans. It is THAT IMPORTANT.

I applaud anyone who is willing to stand up for the planet first, and put profits second. When we someday redefine the word profit to be action that improves everyone's life and our harmonious existence with our home, Earth, then we might have a chance at survival as a species. Humans are deeply sick to think they can mindlessly keep taking and taking from our eco systems.

What profit is there when our home and resources are destroyed? It is insanity, and must end now before it is too late.

Pray for the offenders and for a change to their focus on only "short term profits". Pray that they awaken from their insanity. Meanwhile, prosecute them out of business. Do it NOW.

[John A. S. Tibbs]

My family and I fished for 4 days at Cabo in late June-early July aboard the El Budster. Although we were quite successful with Striped Marlin, (7 fish in 4 days) The tuna and dorado fishing was non-existent. We caught one 2 1/2 lb. baby yellow fin in 4 days!
The sport fishing community was still "angry as hell" over the incident you described. We all need to challenge the commercial fishing industries of the world before all the stocks are ruined.

John Tibbs, Seattle, Washington