Panama has already had two yellow cards (2014 and 2019) and if no progress is made to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, it would receive a red card that would affect exports of seafood to Europe, the main market in the world. fishing sector.

 

The publication "Bloomberg Online" highlighted that the main problem is the large refrigerated ships of Chinese companies that sail under the Panamanian flag.

 

 

 

However, in terms of volume (live weight), China is the main importer of aquatic products, well ahead of the US. China imports large quantities of species not only for domestic consumption but also as raw material to be processed and then re-exported.

 

In 2020, China exported $18 billion worth of seafood, accounting for 12% of the world total.

 

The European Union legislation on IUU fishing applies to all fishing vessels, under any flag, in all maritime waters.

 

In particular, a fishing vessel is presumed to engage in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities if it is shown to be carrying out activities contrary to the conservation and management measures applicable in the area in question. This includes, but is not limited to, fishing without a valid license, in a closed area or during a closed season, or using prohibited fishing gear, as well as failing to comply with notification obligations or obstructing the work of inspectors.

 

 

 

When the EU has evidence that a third country is not fully cooperating in the fight against IUU fishing, it shows a yellow card. With this first step of the process, called prior identification, the country is warned of the risk of being considered a non-cooperative country.

 

If there is no progress in the fight, the country can be identified as non-cooperative in the fight against IUU fishing and the red card is issued.

 

The European Union has already reiterated that in Panama there are serious deficiencies in terms of control, especially in relation to fishing activities and fishing-related activities of vessels flying the flag of Panama.

 

Last week InSight Crime and American University's Center for Latin American and Latino Studies held a conference discussing the findings of a joint investigation into illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in nine countries of the region: Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Ecuador.

At the event, Peter Murray, from Caribe Fisheries, expressed that illegal fishing has been treated as a regulatory issue, not considered a transnational crime, but warned that we see that, increasingly, they not only use fishing boats to smuggle drugs, but they also use fishing for money laundering.

 

The forum warned that one of the main dynamics of IUU fishing throughout the hemisphere is the international distant water fleets that operate in international waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the countries, using transshipment in order to remain in the sea.

 

A few months ago, the European Union carried out an audit where Panama's progress is recognized, but they emphasize that the situation is serious and it has a lot to do.

 

Months ago, Panama joined the Inter-institutional Commission to Prevent, Discourage and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, to implement the recommendations proposed by the European Union.

 

The Minister of MIDA, Augusto Valderrama, said at the time that there is a clear and precise commitment to defend the blue economy, the preservation of marine species and to work tirelessly, establishing exemplary procedures, legislation, sanctions and fines for all whoever violates and acts contrary to the Panamanian policy of having responsible fishing and decisively attacking illegal fishing.

The General Administrator of ARAP, Flor Torrijos, assured that more than 35,000 families live from fishing for seafood and a red card would mean that Panama would not be able to continue exporting seafood to Europe, which would put the country in a critical situation.

 

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