The Costa Rican Tuna Industry Chamber warned about the possibility that the government will publish a decree that would extend the ban zone for the purse tuna fishery to a distance of between 100 and 150 miles from the Pacific coast.
According to the sector's union, this decree, which is in the drafting stage, would put at risk the fulfillment of the export commitments of canned fish to the world's main markets.
The growing uncertainty about the safety of seafood products exported from China, one of the world's leading producers, could represent an opportunity for Central American countries to gain some insight into the global market.
In this context of new commercial reality, the retail channel will continue to be the main demander in the short term for products that are easy to prepare such as tilapia, salmon, trout, shrimp and others with which consumers feel more comfortable cooking at home.
Given the rise in tuna consumption reported between February and August, in Costa Rica the company that owns Sardimar increased its production by 25%.
After the context of the new commercial reality that arose from the outbreak of covid-19 the demand for tuna increased, Alimentos Prosalud, owner of Sardimar, hired more than 300 additional employees to work in its plant in Barranca, Puntarenas.
In the first quarter of the year sales of prepared and preserved fish from Central America totaled $34 million, and exports to the European country grew by 14% compared to the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Fish Preparations and Canned Fish in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In Costa Rica, companies in the agricultural and fishing sectors will not have to use the mandatory electronic receipt system until October 2019.
The government has decided to postpone the entry into force of the electronic receipt system for these two sectors, with the aim of having more time to better implement the system and solve the problem of internet access that several producers claim to have.
In 2017, the value of Central American sales of fish, molluscs and crustaceans to companies in Mexico amounted to $69 million, 19% more than was exported in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the the Market for Fish, Molluscs and Crustaceans in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In 2016 sales of prepared and preserved fish from Central America totaled $110 million, and sales to the European country grew by 52% compared to 2015.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Prepared and Conserved Fishin Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
In 2016 the value of exports of fish, molluscs and crustaceans reached $714 million, equivalent in volume to 114 thousand tons, 8% less than the amount sold in 2015.
Figures from the information system on thethe Market for Fish, Molluscs and Crustaceans in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit atCentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
Licenses will be granted in the Exclusive Economic Zone only up until 5,847 metric tons have been fished and to foreign vessels that demonstrate they have put all of their catch into domestic processors.
From a statement issued by the President of Costa Rica:
The Board of the Costa Rican Institute of Fishing and Aquaculture (INCOPESCA) has decided to limit tuna fishing permits for this year, 2017, as an interim measure while a new model is implemented to organise this activity.
The government has announced that it will modify the cost of licenses for tuna fishing in Costa Rican waters in order to adapt them to international market prices.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in Costa Rica:
In order to improve the utilization of one Costa Rica's largest resources and ensure long-term sustainability, the Executive has issued an Executive Order in which the model for regulating this activity in the country has been reformulated.
The Americas Tuna Conference 2016 (AMatuna2016) is a two-day tuna industry event that will take place in Panama City, Panama on January 28th and 29th at the Riu Plaza Hotel.
The Americas Tuna Conference 2016 (AMatuna2016) is a two-day tuna industry event that will take place in Panama City, Panama on January 28th and 29th at the Riu Plaza Hotel.
From November 9th to 13th companies in the sector will be meeting in Panama City to discuss issues related to sustainable use of marine resources and innovation in fishing methods.
The Fisheries Institute of the Gulf and the Caribbean reports that "... the focus of the event which will be "Two oceans, same coastal issues," reflects the interest of the membership of the GCFI, to include their peers from the Eastern Tropical Pacific (Costa American Pacific from southern Baja California in Mexico to northern Peru) at the annual meetings, with the intention of optimizing experiences and sharing lessons learned from facing similar problems, challenges and opportunities on both coasts of the Americas.
Mexican health authorities have changed the random inspection process for one which includes inspection of every container of Costa Rican fishery product attempting to enter the territory.
The new sanitation checks began in July, and involve an individual process for each of the containers of fish products attempting to enter Mexico.
From April 12th to 17th 316 participants from 27 countries will be competing in the World Fishing Championship to be held in Quepos, Puntarenas.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT):
Costa Rica to host the World Fishing Championship 2015
* Tournament will be held from 12 to 17 April in Marina Pez Vela, Quepos.
* The competition will feature the participation of 316 fishermen from 27 countries.
With a bill to incentivize development of the sector and other measures to provide facilities to farmers, the government aims to boost the growth of aquaculture in the country.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Ministry of Production of Peru announced a series of measures aimed at laying the foundations for sustainable development and launching aquaculture within the framework of the implementation of the National Plan for Productive Diversification.