The Costa Rica News (TCRN) โ The president of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, has signed an executive order imposing greater controls for the protection of sharks and rays along the countryโs shores.
The decree seeks the protection of sharks and rays, by prohibiting the taking, possession, storage, transportation, marketing, processing, retention and landing board, in order to avoid overexploitation.
The signing of the decree was finalized during the weekly cabinet meeting and specifies that the vessels, to reach the port, can only capture and sell sharks when the sizes are equal to or above certain established ranges.
โThe decree clearly defined minimum size for fishing certain species of sharks and fishing ban rays has always been prohibited,โ said the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Gloria Abraham , at a news conference.
The resolution also prohibits the taking, possession, storage, transportation and marketing of the following stripes: manta ray, ray devil, stingray, and oceanic white tip shark.
Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla said her government has worked on the creation of more marine protected areas and the conservation of the species that live there.
โWe recognized the creation of a special management for areas such as the Cocos Island and the necessity for investments throughout the National Coast Guard for greater vigilance in our seas and alliances with non-governmental organizations, โsaid Chinchilla.ย (EFE)
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica