The protection measure came into effect this sunday, october 1 and ends on november 15, so the MAG, through the (CENDEPESCA), calls for compliance with the provision, which will be followed up by technicians.

"The shrimp closures are complementary, the one in may is to protect the individuals that are in the most reproductive season; and the one in october and november is for them to reach reproductive sizes for the next reproductive season in may of the following year, closing a complete cycle", explained Diana Barahona, a technician from the Centro de Desarrollo de la Pesca y la Acuicultura (CENDEPESCA).

From october 1 to november 15, fishermen should refrain from catching marine shrimp to protect them in their juvenile stage, as the measure helps to conserve the species and maintain a sustainable fishery.

Barahona emphasized that CENDEPESCA, as the competent authority, has implemented different measures to protect and manage shrimp. "We have implemented bans, regulation of fishing gear, regulation of the number of fishing permits, regulation of the number of industrial vessels, satellite control monitoring to comply with the protection of the Aquatic Reserve Areas (first three miles and main mouths), among others", said the specialist.

The Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería emphasizes the prohibition of fishing this resource, but not the consumption, so the population can continue to consume this seafood without any problem, as long as the marine shrimp comes from reserves that the stores or restaurants maintain and have acquired before establishing the measure of management.

The measure seeks to avoid a decline in the production of marine shrimp, since in recent years, according to statistics, fishermen have been catching fewer and fewer tons due to a depletion of the resource. For example, in the 1960s there were annual catches of 2,000 tons, and by the year 2022, catches of 225 tons are reported.

Translated by: A.M