Indiscriminate fishing in the Colombian Caribbean sinks fish

Fishing areas in the Colombian Caribbean Sea are being recklessly exploited, endangering fish populations and the livelihoods of local communities whose economy and food depend on this resource, despite efforts Government and industry to implement sustainable practices.

overfishing and the lack of proper regulations “has a negative impact on the region, requiring urgent action to protect its ecosystems and secure a sustainable future for coastal communities,” Juan Manuel Diaz, program coordinator for the MarViva Foundation, told EFE. indicates that ” caribbean is overfishing and “in the last”.

“If you look at the statistics of how many fish are caught annually in caribbean it’s terrible,” Diaz mentions, adding that the “poverty of the artisanal fisherman” in this part of the country is “strong” because erratic fishing this threatens their livelihoods and they must struggle daily to survive in adverse economic and environmental conditions.

COLOMBIA OVER-EXPLOITATION

In its Fisheries Report 2022, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) states that Colombia has the highest share of the population of the 32 countries analyzed fish that do not meet sustainability standards.

According to the document, Colombia 29 reserves of different types fish or shellfish and it was concluded that more than half were not in good health.

For its part, the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Authority (Aunap), which is responsible for the implementation of sectoral policy in Colombiaexplains the EFE that “these studies enable the country to assess and take the necessary steps to improve” in the fishing industry, as well as to understand “its capabilities and levels of development”.

“We are committed to aquaculture and fishing responsibility”, therefore “we are developing various activities that allow the sustainable use of Fishing resources country,” Aunap said.

However, the MarViva Foundation with operating offices in Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia who seek protection from the sea and coast, denounces that “Aunapa approaches are aimed at increasing fishing efforts”, which means “more boats, nets and fishermen”.

“They think it will bring more fish and there comes a point where it doesn’t,” Diaz says, adding that “although the fishing effort continues to grow, there comes a time when they don’t catch anything.”

The OECD report looks at public fisheries management and points out that cases such as Chinawho have too many fisheries subsidies occur in the country: “This is called perverse incentives because they are encouraged to catch more (fish) without knowing how the stocks are doing. ColombiaDiaz says.

THE OTHER SIDE OF FISHING

Bahia Solano, an area affected by the armed conflict in Peaceful Colombianhas become, according to MarViva, a model of sustainable fishing with responsible practices. fishermenwhich allowed the local community to conserve their marine resources and improve the quality of life.

“We are dedicated to responsible and sustainable fishing,” says Pesquera La Merluza owner Jorge Ivan Chica, adding that the main goal of the fishermen is to ensure that the fishery meets all sustainable development standards so that the fish enjoy good health and thus “new fishermen and future generations can continue to live off of it.”

It all started with a “crash” in 2006 because they were using all kinds of fishing tackle that was harmful to variety.

“We were damaging ourselves and the environment,” says the owner of the fishery. “We have proposed to the government to remove all harmful tram networks, equipment and fishing gear”, at the same time they demanded the creation of a fishing zone in accordance with the law.

For example, in 2008, temporary resolution 2650 declared an exclusive zone artisanal fishing (ZEPA) in the north of the Department of Choco, declared permanent in 2013 and at the same time extended to the limits with Panama and Utria National Park.

“All fish must pass medium maturity and must be hand lined at ZEPA by local artisanal fishermen,” says Chika, and concludes that in Solano Bay “Fishermen, fishery owners and residents were aware of the need for conservation and conservation.”

EFE