Costa Rica News – The Coast Guard was gifted three patrol boats from the U.S. and thus is able to return to patrol Coco Island, an important area that has not been patrolled the past four years.
This is an extensive maritime border with great biodiversity.
The boat the Coast Guard had was 60 years old and not capable of making it to Coco Island. As of May 18th, the first patrol boat arrived to resume surveillance and monitoring work in the area. The other two boats will be stationed in Puntarenas and go out on various missions.
These boats will be of great use in operations to control illegal fishing, fight drug trafficking and make rescues. There are now sufficient boats to patrol all maritime territory of the country. Anyone found in criminal acts can now be stopped and brought to the mainland for criminal proceedings.
Just a few hours after arriving near the island, the Coast Guard and Ministry of Environment and Energy saw results. They were able to remove a device that traps fish. The trapped fish were released.
