Scientists and ecologists sidelined in fishing bill

The bill to regulate fishing and aquaculture in Panama, approved by the National Assembly, excludes NGOs and scientists from the National Commission for Responsible Fisheries.

Joana Ábrego, f the Environmental Incidence Center (CIAM), said that the new law is necessary, but is undermined by provisions in favor of the larger-scale fishing sector, at the expense of artisanal fishermen and the environment.

One of the points most criticized by more than 30 NGOs is that the proposal, eliminates the representatives of civil society organizations and of the research centers, to increase the already large representation of the fishing sector.

Tania Arosemena, manager of MarViva’s Political Incidence, said that, , the Law of the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) was modified, taking away the power to revoke licenses for fines to those who violate fishing and aquaculture regulations.

In this way, the recommendations made not only by the MarViva Foundation but also by the College of Biologists of Panama and environmental NGOs are ignored. For all of the above, we consider that [the project] affects the institutional framework, balances, counterweights and participation in actions related to the sustainable management of the country’s fishing resources, “she said.

The director of the ARAP, Flor Torrijos, considered that the norm is necessary to regulate the fishing sector and that any aspect that was left out of the project could be evaluated in the regulation of the law reports La Prensa.

Torrijos said that the Responsible Fisheries Commission was an advisory body and never functioned as it should.