Costa Rica’s Shark Protection Conundrum: Balancing Ecology with Reality

The Dilemma of Shark Bycatch in Costa Rican Waters

This week, Costa Rica’s fishing landscape hit a snag with a new twist in the ongoing saga of hammerhead shark conservation. The Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INCOPESCA) has found itself in choppy waters, trying to navigate the murky depths of a court ruling that demands the elimination of hammerhead shark bycatch, a ruling they argue treads too far into unfeasible waters.

The Catch-22 of Hammerhead Shark Conservation

In June, Costa Rica’s Court for Environmental Matters dropped the gavel on INCOPESCA, along with the Environment Ministry and the federal government, ordering them to enact policies to stop the extraction of hammerheads from national waters. However, INCOPESCA’s lawyers are now swimming against the current, arguing that while they’re all for sustainability, the ruling’s expectations are like trying to fish with bare hands – well-intentioned but impractical.

The Reality of Bycatch

Bycatch, the accidental capture of non-target species, is an inherent part of fishing. INCOPESCA’s argument is akin to saying, “You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.” They contend that completely avoiding bycatch is as likely as finding a seahorse in the Sahara, noting that unintended catches happen, no matter the gear.

The Ripple Effect of Absolute Bans

Going full throttle with a blanket ban on any hammerhead catch could mean the end of fishing near Costa Rican shores. This approach, INCOPESCA argues, would not only rock the boat of local communities dependent on fishing but also sets a bar higher than the mast of a ship. It’s a classic case of the cure being worse than the disease.

A More Pragmatic Approach

Rather than chasing the white whale of perfection, INCOPESCA is casting a net for more practical solutions. They propose tightening the noose on equipment types prone to catching hammerheads and promoting safe release practices. Their plan includes a buffet of measures like expanding monitoring for violations and launching awareness campaigns among fishers – a strategy aiming at reducing harm rather than chasing an unattainable ideal.

The Legal Tug-of-War

The shark in the room is the lawsuit execution by attorney Walter Brenes Soto, which successfully classified three hammerhead varieties as endangered. INCOPESCA is now navigating these legal waters, attempting to merge conservation with the reality of fishing practices.

The Balancing Act

While INCOPESCA supports the noble goal of protecting species, they believe pushing entire communities out of their generational livelihoods is not the way to go. It’s about finding that sweet spot – protecting hammerheads without sending the fishing industry into Davy Jones’ Locker.

The Way Forward: Collaboration, Not Stalemate

INCOPESCA’s motion for clarity is a call for cooperation over confrontation. The idea is to bring hammerhead populations back from the brink, not through draconian measures, but through realistic and collaborative approaches that avoid setting the industry and environment at odds.

Costa Rica’s latest challenge in marine conservation highlights the need for practical, feasible solutions that balance ecological concerns with the realities of the fishing industry. It’s a tightrope walk between protecting our finned friends and keeping the fishing community afloat, but with thoughtful collaboration, it’s a challenge that Costa Rica is ready to tackle head-on.