A Fisheries Law for Panama

A proposal has been made to reform the law in order to better regulate the fisheries sector, which contributes 5% of GDP, expanding prohibited areas and implementing a moratorium on commercial fishing licenses.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Aware of the of the importance of industrial, commercial and sport fishing for the Panamanian economy, the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) is preparing a draft law to modernize the current fisheries legislation, which dates from 1959.

Martesfinanciero.com reports that "...Sources close to the bill state that streamlining processes for obtaining and maintaining fishing licenses are among the most effective methods to improve the activity. "

"... It also seeks to reinstate a moratorium, so that new commercial fishing licenses are not granted, mainly for actvities which are harmful such as longliners , trawlers and purse seine fishing. The proposal also indicates the extension of the areas of prohibition of certain fishing gear, such as in the archipelago of Las Perlas, the Azuero Peninsula and Hannibal Bank in Coiba, up to 10 miles around, to preserve and increase the number of schools, as well as help those who practice artisanal or subsistence fishing."

¿Busca soluciones de inteligencia comercial para su empresa?

Do you need more information about your business sector?

Request more information:









this site is protected by reCAPTCHA and Google's privacy policy and terms of service.
Need assistance? Contact us
(506) 4001-6423


More on this topic

Costa Rica: Call for Tuna Nationalization

July 2014

The fishing industry is calling for an enlargement in the withdrawal from the coasts for tuna purse seine fishery and that licenses be given only to ships committed to selling 100% of their catch to the local industry.

In an opinion piece published in Nacion.com, Asdrubal Vasquez Nunez mentions the importance of the Costa Rican tuna industry to the economy and points to the need to reorganize legislation for the sector in order to increase the competitiveness and productivity of it.

Fishing Industry in El Salvador Calls for Clear Rules

January 2014

A new comprehensive legal framework is needed to promote sustainable development of industrial and artisanal fisheries, preserving marine and coastal biodiversity.

"Both industrial and artisanal fisheries have been threatened by the lack of a clear law that encourages the development of the fisheries sector.

The Fishing Industry in Costa Rica

August 2013

Businessmen demands are a law that includes a scientific technical analysis, reorders fishing areas and controls fishing activities.

This is what the Costa Rican Chamber of Tuna Industry is asking for. According to an article in Nacion.com, the bill "should consider reviewing and updating the license fees charged to different sectors, so that these resources strengthen the institutions responsible for safeguarding the marine wealth and stop relying so much on Costa Rican state resources. "

Aquatic Preservation Areas in El Salvador

May 2011

President Funes has responded to the Legislative Assembly with his comments about Decree No. 683, the amendments to the Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture.

A Press Release by the President of El Salvador states: "This decree states that it is necessary to define the scope of fisheries, with the aim of sustaining natural resources, protecting various marine species and the marine environment in general, that these natural resources are sources of employment for fishermen and their families, maintaining food sustainability and economic development in that area.”

ok