Warning of measures that will affect fisheries

The National Chamber of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Panama (CNPA)the International Fisheries Foundation (Fipesca) and Union of Seafarers’ Fishermen (SUMP) on the alert for the negative effects of the following application Decision no. 106-086-DGMM.

Members of the country’s fishing industry are demanding an urgent meeting with AMP Merchant Marine Director, Rafael Cigarruista, as well as ARAP staff, given that the decision came into effect on Friday, June 30.

The said decision, issued by The Merchant Marine Administration of the Panama Maritime Administration, is the main concern of the sector, which warns that there are already so-called VMS (vessel monitoring system) that are under control Water Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP).

Since these mechanisms exist to monitor vessels, fishing organizations in the country assert that the AMP resolution “undermines the economic development of the industry and its activities.”

The adoption of the automatic identification system, as stated in the resolution, “It creates an opportunity for anyone, in good or bad faith, to have information about the location of our vessels in real time, putting the physical and economic integrity of the crew, ship and cargo at risk.”members say.

They claim that the use of this location system “undermines economic competition in commercial matters, as it will be available to any competing company, which will have data on vessels, areas or fishing grounds.

This situation, they pointed out, allows these people to get the benefit of fisheries management organizations “providing information that is treated as confidential”.

The above, because it is “privileged information specific to each vessel about its catches and commercial activities.”