interior

Protest of beach project closes road

Fishermen say a development in San Carlos will mean an end to their way of life.

LA PRENSA

Protesters block traffic in san carlos monday.1099770

Fishermen from San Carlos and Río Hato blocked the Pan-American Highway yesterday to protest a planned development at Playa La Ensenada.

The fishermen are upset about an environmental impact statement that was recently approved by the Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (Anam) to build 496 condos in three towers near the beach, which has been used for years as a launching point for boats.

More than 300 fishermen from the area took part in the protest, saying the development will bring an end to their livelihoods because it will mean they will not have any access to the beach.

The project is being developed by Desarrollo Turístico de San Carlos S.A. It involves the construction of a 24-story tower and two 21-story structures.

The fishermen gathered at the main entrance to the village, where they left in a motorcade along the highway until they reached the bridge at San Carlos. At this point they remained for an hour, causing a traffic jam.

Ofelina Samaniego, the leader of the protesters, said they are really protesting the hunger that will be inflicted on their families if the project is allowed to go through.

San Carlos Mayor Víctor López spoke with the protesters and managed to convince them to clear the road.

The protesters went to the municipal offices where López met with them to hear their concerns.

Later, Gabriel Diez, president of Desarrollo Turístico de San Carlos, came to the municipal offices to meet with the fishermen.

Diez drafted and signed a document which ensures that the company will not seek to evict the fishermen from the beach, and set aside a 26-meter strip on the beach where they can launch their boats from.

Diez said that the company has not petitioned any authorities to have the fishermen removed.

One of the protesters, Juan Pinto, said the agreement is not satisfactory, as it crowds the 300 or so fishermen that regularly use the beach into a tiny area.