Indiscriminate fishing in the Colombian Caribbean harms fish

The zones of fishing of the Caribbean Colombian are irresponsibly exploited, which endangers the populations of fish and the subsistence of local communities that depend on this resource for their economy and feedingdespite the efforts of the Government and the industry for implementing sustainable practices.

Overfishing and lack of proper regulations “They are leaving a negative impact on the region that requires urgent measures to protect its ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for coastal communities,” the program coordinator of the MarViva Foundation, Juan Manuel Díaz, told EFE, who indicated that “the Caribbean is overfished and “on the last”.

“If you look at the statistics of how much fish is taken annually in the Caribbean, it is terrible”mentions Díaz, and adds that “the misery of the artisanal fisherman” in that part of the country “is strong”since indiscriminate fishing is threatening their livelihood and they have to struggle daily to survive in the midst of adverse economic and environmental conditions.

Colombia, overexploited

In its 2022 Fisheries Report, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) indicates that Colombia has, of the 32 countries analyzed, the highest proportion of fish stocks that do not meet sustainability standards.

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

For its part, the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Authority (Aunap), in charge of executing the sector’s policy in Colombia, explains to EFE that “These studies allow the country to evaluate and generate the necessary improvement actions” in the fishing industry, also understanding “their capacities and levels of development”.

“We are committed to aquaculture and responsible fishing”the reason why “We have been developing different actions that allow a sustainable use of the country’s fishing resources”details the Aunap.

However, the MarViva Foundation, with operational offices in Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia that seek the protection of the sea and the coast, denounces that “Aunap’s approaches have gone towards increasing the fishing effort”meaning “more boats, nets and fishermen”.

“They think that this is going to bring more fish and there comes a point where it doesn’t happen”says Díaz, who adds that “No matter how much fishing effort continues to increase, there comes a time when they don’t catch anything”.

The OECD report looks at the fisheries management of governments and points out that cases like China, which have too many fisheries subsidies, are occurring in the country: “This is called perverse incentives, because they are being encouraged to catch more (fish) without knowing how the stocks are in Colombia”considers Diaz.

The other side of fishing

Bahía Solano, an area affected by the armed conflict in the Colombian Pacific, has become, according to MarViva, a model of sustainable fishing with responsible practices on the part of its fishermen, which has allowed the local community to preserve its marine resources. and improve their quality of life.

“We have dedicated ourselves to carrying out responsible and sustainable fishing”points out the owner of Pesquera La Merluza, Jorge Iván Chica, and adds that the main objective of the fishermen is to guarantee that fishing meets all sustainability standards so that the fish enjoy good health and thus “new fishermen and future generations can continue living from this”.

It all started with a “collapse” in 2006 because they were using all kinds of fishing gear that was harmful to the species.

“We were doing damage to ourselves and the environment”says the owner of this fishery. “We proposed to the Government to remove all harmful trammel nets, equipment and fishing gear”at the same time that they demanded a fishing zone under law.

Thus, in 2008, temporary resolution 2650 declared the exclusive artisanal fishing zone (ZEPA) in the north of the department of Chocó, declared permanent in 2013 and at the same time it was extended to the borders with Panama and the Utría National Park. .

“All fish must go through the average size of maturity and must be caught with a hand-hook line in the ZEPA by artisanal fishermen of the region”says Chica, and concludes that in Bahía Solano “Awareness has been raised with the fishermen, the owners of the fisheries and the inhabitants in order to preserve and conserve”.

(With information from EFE)