Support for the management of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Costa Rica: First Phase of the Project Achieved!
FAICO, within the framework of the project with the U.S. Department of State, achieves the first phase of data digitization and facilitation of technological tools for the management of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in Costa Rica.
DRAFTFriends of Cocos Island supports the improvement of capacities and updating of fishery data for the management of the EEZ. This achievement is realized through the digitization of data from the longline fleet managed by the Costa Rican Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INCOPESCA). This process will enable informed decision-making for the conservation and sustainable use of Costa Rica’s fishery resources.
In the first phase of the process, 5,908 Landing Inspection Forms (FIDs) and 8,430 Fishing Operations Books were digitized, including the Set Registration Form, the Operations Form and the Transshipment Registration Form, adding a total of 14,338 documents integrated into INCOPESCA’s SIPEXI system.
The FIDs are completed by INCOPESCA officials and provide information related to the vessel, place of landing, details about the fishing trip, type of fleet, fishing site, characteristics of the fishing gear and data on catches such as species, number of bodies, weight, among others.
The Fishing Operations Books are completed by the captains of longline vessels, where they record information on fishing operations, providing a more complete view of the catching techniques. In addition, haul forms provide crucial information for determining Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE), an essential metric for assessing the efficiency of fishing operations.
These forms make it possible to track the traceability of the species caught. In addition, it is one of the main tools to ensure compliance with the regulations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This data is essential for understanding and regulating fishing activities, ensuring the sustainability and conservation of marine resources
In addition, follow-up meetings and visits have been made to INCOPESCA, where technological equipment has also been donated to process and analyze fishing data.
The project marks a significant milestone in the management, conservation and sustainable use of marine resources in Costa Rica, being a collaborative effort, supported by various organizations and internationally funded, which requires the country’s commitment to sustainability and the protection of its valuable marine ecosystems.
