Costa Rica Fully Bans Shark Fin Trade

Under existing legislation, shark finning itself had been banned in Costa Rica, but under a new executive order issued by President Laura Chinchilla, loopholes allowing the transport and import of shark fins have been closed, fully banning the shark fin trade.

Huffington Post quotes Chinchilla:

“Costa Rica may set an example to the world when it comes to environmental protection, but it must be noted that we had a significant lag when it comes to protecting the oceans.”

Towards enforcing the ban—always an issue—the President also announced a new $15 million investment in radar systems to target potential lawbreaking fishing boats.

The move on shark finning comes within days of legislation being put forward that outlaws sport hunting in Costa Rica.

As with the ban on sport hunting allowing subsistence hunting, the new law on shark finning still allows catching of entire sharks for food.

With all the recent moves by Costa Rica towards increasing conservation efforts, it does all make you think that all the legal action towards arresting and extraditing Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson really was entirely politically motivated, and had zero to do with the actual charges.

By Mat McDermott, TreeHugger

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Vita P.

3:54AM PDT on May 15, 2013

So good to hear!!!

May 15
send a green star

Marianne G.

1:18AM PDT on May 6, 2013

Thanks.

May 6
send a green star

Teresa W.

7:48AM PDT on Apr 15, 2013

great news

April 15
send a green star

Tanya W.

7:09AM PST on Feb 4, 2013

About time someone did!!! Thanks for shining your light like a beacon in the darkness Costa Rica!! Hope many more follow your example and sets the sharks free from the cruelty that wounds them.