An official press release by the United States Embassy in Costa Rica indicates that shrimp caught in our country may once again be imported by the North American nation, following a certification that was reissued under Public Law 101-162, Section 609, 16 U.S.C. 1537, entitled Shrimp Import Prohibition Legislation for Marine Turtle Conservation.
The import ban does not apply to nations that have adopted comparable sea turtle protection programs that require and enforce the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs). These devices are described by the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a grid of bars with an opening either at the top or the bottom of the trawl net. The grid is fitted into the neck of a shrimp trawl. Small animals such as shrimp pass through the bars and are caught in the bag end of the trawl. When larger animals such as marine turtles and sharks are captured in the trawl, they strike the grid bars and are ejected through the opening.
Initial TED designs did not allow for the release of larger leatherback turtles, and thus TED openings were later redesigned to address this problem.
Ambassador Anne Andrew gave credit to the Fishing Institute of Costa Rica (INCOPESCA) and the coast guard service for their efforts in implementing the TED devices. Ambassador Andrew added that she believes INCOPESCA should be equally diligent in promoting responsible fishing of all other species in Costa Rica.
Imports of shrimp by the United States were suspended back in 2009 after that nation confirmed that Costa Rica did not efficiently apply penalties to vessels not fitted with TEDs. The final inspections last year showed that the country had taken the necessary steps to once again earn certification.
In early May, The Costa Rica Star published in article about an unusual method of catching shrimp -by poisoning the water. That article was based on reports from digital newspaper Voz de Nosara about how the lucrative shrimp catch business in the Nosara river in Guanacaste is bringing out the worst in the fishermen. The article written by Adam Dietrich and Ariana McKinney exposed a dark side to the shrimp business, one that moves unscrupulous individuals to dump agrochemical pesticides in the river waters in order to make their catch easier.
Earlier this year, digital newspaper Costa Rica Hoy printed comments by Martin Arias, director of the coast guard service, who stated that for every kilogram of shrimp that is irresponsibly caught in the Gulf of Nicoya, 99 kilos of other marine species are lost. Mr. Arias added that 95 percent of fishermen have the required permits and practice responsible fishing.