Diana Araúz, head of the Water Resources Authority of Panama, explained that U.S. authorities inspected shrimp fishing vessels to ensure they make proper user of the Turtle Exclusion Devices (TED).

“Araúz reminded that the United States limited shrimp imports from various countries due the high number of turtles killed by vessels lacking TED equipment, but remarked that Panama has successfully enforced the law”, reported Prensa.com.

Source: Prensa.com

More on this topic

U.S. Embargoes Mexican Shrimp

April 2010

The embargo applied on Tuesday suspends indefinitely all imports of Mexican high seas shrimp.

The Mexican Fleet failed the certification process conducted by U.S. authorities, who controlled if the boats used procedures to prevent accidental deaths of turtles while fishing for shrimp.

US Bans Costa Rican Shrimp Imports

May 2009

Beginning on May 1, the US closed the market to marine shrimp because Costa Rica does not apply the turtle protection law.

The measure, which was endorsed by the United States Embassy in Costa Rica, was taken based on the fact that shrimp fishermen do not use “the Turtle Excluder Device” (TED) in trawl nets.

Panama: Shrimp Exports Down by 59.9%

April 2009

Shrimp exports went from $5.1 million in the first two months of 2008 to $2 million in the first two months of 2009.

The “weak demand” for shrimp in international markets is a product of the global financial crisis and “bank credit restrictions.” They have been among the causes of the drastic decline in exports.

Panama renews certification to export shrimp to the U.S.

July 2008

Panama was one of 16 nations that complied with the demanding legal and regulatory requirements in the U.S. for exporting shrimp there.

Each year Panama generates about 70 million dollars from seafood exports. The sector also provides around 40,000 jobs.