Last week, the Colombian government announced a complete ban on shark fishing in its waters. Such a ban has already been in place for industrial fishing since 2010. However, this previously excluded small-scale, artisanal fishers in several coastal regions, for whom shark fishing represents an ancient tradition.
Minister of Environment Carlos Correa, however, made it clear: "The shark occupies the highest tier of the food chain and maintains marine ecological balance. This nation's decision therefore enables us to safeguard our natural resources and ecosystems." The primary objective of the ban is to halt the trade in shark fins for the Asian market.
To ensure the local population is not adversely affected, small-scale fisheries are to receive compensatory payments to facilitate a transition towards more sustainable activities. It remains to be seen what impact the ban will have and how Colombian fishing communities will develop.
