Battle over illegal fishing sanctions firing in Panama

The waters of Panama’s of the Aquatic Resources Authority of (ARAP), got more muddied on Tuesday (June 22) when its head, Diana Arauz, yesterday accused the recently fired Inspections Director of trying to "destabilize" the institution. 

"It is evident in her way of speaking that she is upset and hurt by her dismissal," said Arauz. She was referring to Kriss Poveda

 Poveda reported that the administrator of the ARAP fired her on June 16 for not being a "user facilitator”. During her tenure, Poveda imposed 150 fines for violation of the fisheries law. She said that Arauz told her the firing was on the direct orders of President Ricardo Martinelli.

Poveda,claimed the administrator of ARAP ordered the release of a ship (Southern Cross) detained for violating the law against shark finning. Poveda had the vessel detained, , suspended its fishing and navigation licenses, and imposed a $ 564,000 fine.

Arauz, after meeting with the owner of the boat ordered its release
The First Anti Corruption Prosecutor opened a case against Araúz for alleged crimes against public administration.

Arauz said that the order to stop the ship from Southern Cross was given by Poveda. But La Prensa published a document dated February 4, 2010 – in which Poveda wrote that the order to release the ship, although the process was still open, came from the administrator of ARAP.

In her defense, Arauz said the case against the ship continues and, finally, after an appeal by the company, the sentence and the fine becomes final. But it by letting go of the boat, the State will have no way to collect the penalty says La Prensa.

The controversy over the dismissal of Poveda coincides with the visit of a delegation of the European Union (EU), which is evaluating the progress of the country’s plan to combat illegal fishing.

On February 3, the EU lifted the embargo on the fishery products from Panama for not complying with the requirements imbyposed by the EU. One of the complaints focused on that Panama did not implement satellite tracking of vessels, a matter which led to Poveda to keep in port of 17 boats, a move that changed after her dismissal Arauz.

MarViva, concerned
The environmental foundation MarViva said yesterday it was "extremely concerned" about the alleged acts of corruption within the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama, which led to the dismissal, of, the National Director of Inspection, Monitoring and Control Kriss Poveda.

“It is essential that the authorities determine who is responsible, because what is at stake is the sustainability of marine and coastal resources of Panama and the region, which supplies millions of people worldwide," said Gabriela Etchelecu, executive director of th