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Costa Rica passes long awaited fisheries law

Costa Rica passes long awaited fisheries law

On February 10, 2005, Costa Rican senators unanimously approved a new national fisheries law. The new law includes a prohibition on shark finning and creates fines and jail terms for those involved in landing shark fins at Costa Rican ports. There are also stiff penalties for anyone who harms endangered sea turtles and the law requires shrimp fishermen to use TEDs, special devices which allow sea turtles to escape from shrimp nets. The new law marks the culmination of more than ten year’s of work by fishermen, senators, industry representatives and conservation groups to finalize the text of the law and is a major achievement.