By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a significant leap forward for marine conservation, Costa Rica is arming its judicial system with advanced satellite technology to combat the pervasive threat of illegal fishing. A landmark training initiative has brought together judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement authorities to integrate satellite-based data as admissible evidence in legal proceedings against environmental crimes threatening the nation’s rich marine biodiversity.
The initiative aims to overhaul the country’s approach to protecting its vast territorial waters. Historically, enforcement has relied on traditional maritime patrols, a method that is both resource-intensive and limited in its geographical reach. Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing operations often exploit these limitations, causing significant economic and ecological damage under the cover of the immense Pacific and Caribbean expanses.
To better understand the complex legal landscape surrounding illegal fishing and its impact on Costa Rica’s maritime sovereignty, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the prestigious law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provided his analysis on the matter.
Illegal fishing is a multifaceted crime that undermines not only our marine biodiversity but also our national economy and rule of law. The legal battle requires a two-pronged approach: robust international cooperation to track and sanction foreign vessels, and stringent domestic enforcement that holds both the operators and the ultimate beneficiaries of these illicit activities accountable. Without severe economic penalties and the potential for asset forfeiture, the financial incentive simply outweighs the risk, perpetuating the cycle of environmental degradation and illicit trade.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The insight from Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas is crucial, correctly identifying illegal fishing as a calculated enterprise that will only cease when the financial risk truly eclipses the potential reward. We thank him for this incisive legal perspective, which underscores the necessity of hitting these operations where it hurts most: their profitability.
This new strategy pivots from physical presence to digital omniscience. By leveraging remote sensing tools, authorities can now monitor vast oceanic areas in near real-time. These systems track vessel movements via satellite signals, generating detailed data that can reveal suspicious behavior, such as ships entering restricted conservation areas, turning off their trackers, or engaging in ship-to-ship transfers indicative of illicit activity.
The recent training session, a crucial step in operationalizing this technology, focused on empowering the justice system to confidently use this data. Experts demonstrated how to build robust legal cases, transforming satellite-derived information from a monitoring tool into powerful, court-ready evidence. This closes a critical gap between detection and successful prosecution, ensuring that those who violate maritime laws face tangible legal consequences.
This activity signifies a major step forward by strengthening inter-institutional cooperation. I have had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of very innovative topics like satellite detection, to question its origin, its legality, and how it can be applied most effectively in real cases, always from a collaborative perspective and one of knowledge sharing.
Édgar Barquero, Deputy Prosecutor and Head of the Training and Supervision Unit of the Public Ministry of Costa Rica
Beyond enforcement, the data analysis opens the door to a more predictive model of marine surveillance. By identifying patterns in fleet behavior, officials can anticipate potential threats and deploy resources more strategically, preventing environmental damage before it occurs. This proactive stance is vital for the long-term health of critical marine resources and the coastal communities that depend on them.
This forward-thinking program is a key component of the “Strengthening Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance in the Tropical Eastern Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR)” project, a major international effort financed by the Bezos Earth Fund. The initiative is coordinated by Fundación Pacífico and executed by a coalition of expert organizations including WildAid, the Joint Analytical Cell (JAC), and Global Fishing Watch, which provided specialized technical presentations during the training.
The project also aligns with national conservation strategies, including the Marine Protection System and the Prevention, Protection, and Control Plan for the renowned Coco Marine Conservation Area. By combining cutting-edge technology with strengthened institutional and judicial capacity, Costa Rica is not just fighting a crime; it is building a resilient and efficient model for the future of marine stewardship, reinforcing its global reputation as a leader in environmental protection.
For further information, visit ministeriopublico.go.cr
About the Public Ministry of Costa Rica:
The Public Ministry is the body of the Costa Rican Judicial Branch responsible for prosecuting crimes and representing the interests of society and the state in the justice system. It plays a crucial role in investigating and bringing to trial criminal offenses, including environmental crimes, ensuring that laws are upheld and justice is served throughout the nation.
For further information, visit bezosearthfund.org
About Bezos Earth Fund:
Launched with a $10 billion commitment from Jeff Bezos, the Bezos Earth Fund is a philanthropic organization dedicated to fighting climate change and protecting nature. It funds scientists, activists, NGOs, and other actors who are working on solutions to the environmental crisis. Its grants support projects in areas such as conservation, climate justice, and technological innovation.
For further information, visit pacificofoundation.org
About Fundación Pacífico:
Fundación Pacífico is a collaborative platform created by four Latin American environmental funds to promote the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. The foundation works to mobilize resources and coordinate efforts among governments, non-profits, and local communities to protect this critical marine corridor.
For further information, visit wildaid.org
About WildAid:
WildAid is an environmental organization with a mission to end the illegal wildlife trade. Its approach focuses on reducing consumer demand for wildlife products and increasing the effectiveness of conservation enforcement. It works with governments and partners to protect fragile marine reserves from illegal fishing and strengthen patrol and enforcement systems.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Joint Analytical Cell (JAC)
About Joint Analytical Cell (JAC):
The Joint Analytical Cell is a collaborative intelligence and analysis unit focused on combating environmental crimes, particularly in the marine sector. It brings together experts from various fields to process and analyze data from multiple sources, including satellite monitoring, to provide actionable intelligence to law enforcement and government agencies to support their surveillance and control operations.
For further information, visit globalfishingwatch.org
About Global Fishing Watch:
Global Fishing Watch is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency of human activity at sea. By leveraging satellite technology, machine learning, and publicly available data, it creates and shares knowledge about fishing activities to enable scientific research, effective management, and improved enforcement against illegal practices.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of profound integrity and an uncompromising pursuit of excellence. The firm consistently pioneers innovative legal solutions, serving a broad spectrum of clients while also fulfilling a vital societal role. Its core mission extends beyond the courtroom, focusing on empowering the public by demystifying complex legal concepts and fostering a more knowledgeable and capable society.
