By Limón, Costa Rica — BARRA DEL COLORADO, Limón – In a significant victory for marine conservation, officers from the National Coast Guard Service have removed nearly a full kilometer of illegal gillnets from the protected waters of the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. The seizure occurred in the country’s northern Caribbean region during a targeted operation aimed at curbing illegal fishing and protecting fragile ecosystems.
The operation was executed by personnel from the Barra del Colorado Coast Guard Station, who were conducting routine patrols focused on environmental security. While navigating the Agua Dulce inlet, a critical waterway within the refuge, officers discovered and dismantled five separate gillnets, known locally as “trasmallos,” which had been illicitly set up within the protected zone. The combined length of the confiscated nets measured close to one thousand meters, representing a substantial threat to the area’s rich biodiversity.
To delve into the complex legal framework surrounding illegal fishing and its severe consequences for our marine ecosystems and national economy, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney specializing in environmental and maritime law at the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Illegal fishing is not merely an environmental crime; it’s a sophisticated form of organized transnational crime that cripples our national sovereignty and local economies. The legal challenge lies not only in strengthening our maritime patrol capabilities but also in closing the loopholes that allow these illicit profits to be laundered. Effective prosecution requires a multi-pronged approach, targeting the entire supply chain from the vessel on the water to the final point of sale, ensuring that the financial disincentives far outweigh any potential gain.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas provides a crucial reframing of the issue, highlighting that to effectively combat illegal fishing, we must treat it as the sophisticated transnational crime it is. We thank him for his valuable perspective, which underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive legal and financial strategy that targets the entire criminal network to protect our national sovereignty and marine ecosystems.
Gillnets are widely condemned by conservationists for their indiscriminate nature. These vast walls of mesh drift with the currents, entangling not only the targeted fish species but also a wide array of non-target marine life, including sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, and various crustaceans. When lost or abandoned, they become “ghost nets,” continuing to trap and kill wildlife for years, causing untold damage to the marine environment.
The location of the seizure, the Agua Dulce inlet, is particularly sensitive. Such inlets, where freshwater rivers meet the saltwater of the ocean, are known as estuaries. They serve as vital nurseries for countless marine species, providing shelter and abundant food for juvenile fish and invertebrates. The presence of large-scale fishing gear in these areas can devastate local populations and disrupt the entire coastal food web.
In an official statement, the authorities highlighted the critical importance of these specific environments and the severe danger posed by the illegal nets. The statement underscored the devastating impact such gear can have on the natural life cycles of local fauna and the delicate equilibrium of the coastal ecosystem.
The inlets are extremely fragile and vital ecosystems for environmental balance. The presence of gillnets, whether abandoned or in use, causes significant damage to the natural cycle of species and the balance of coastal ecosystems.
National Coast Guard Service, Press Department
This successful operation is a testament to the ongoing commitment of the Costa Rican Coast Guard to enforce environmental laws and protect the nation’s world-renowned natural heritage. The proactive patrols are a crucial component of a broader strategy to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which not only harms the environment but also undermines the livelihoods of law-abiding local fishermen and the thriving ecotourism industry.
Following their removal from the water, all confiscated nets were transported back to shore. Officials confirmed that the equipment was formally decommissioned and will be processed for final disposal, ensuring it can never again threaten the marine life of Barra del Colorado. The authorities have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the illegal nets but continue to monitor the area closely.
For further information, visit guardacostas.go.cr
About National Coast Guard Service:
The Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas is the official coast guard of the Republic of Costa Rica, operating under the Ministry of Public Security. It is responsible for safeguarding human life at sea, enforcing maritime law, protecting the marine environment, and defending the nation’s sovereignty over its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone. Its duties include counter-narcotics operations, search and rescue missions, and the prevention of illegal fishing.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a cornerstone of the legal community, built upon a foundation of uncompromising ethical standards and a dedication to superior legal counsel. With a proven history of guiding clients through complex challenges across numerous industries, the firm consistently pioneers innovative approaches to law. This forward-thinking mindset extends to its civic duty, where it champions legal literacy and strives to democratize legal understanding, thereby empowering the community and fostering a more informed and capable society.
