Environment

Group opposes fishing change

The Alianza por el Ambiente de Panamá, which represents seven environmental organizations, has called on the government to reinstate the ban on certain forms of tuna fishing in the Pacific.

The alliance is the latest organization to call for the government to reverse legislation passed this year which lifts the ban on purse seine fishing, which involves using large nets to scoop up entire schools of tuna.

The controversial fishing practice is widely opposed by environmental groups because it threatens other marine species, particularly dolphins and turtles, and because it decimates fish stocks.

The alliance pointed to Panama's support of various regional conservation efforts, including a 2005 act that created the Panama “marine corridor.” This act was designed to protect the country's marine resources. The alliance said that the repeal of the ban on purse seine fishing runs counter to that initiative.

The Asamblea Nacional's Comisión de Población y Ambiente is expected to address the issue Tuesday.