Panama protects sharks and rays with science and fishing industry collaboration
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In Panama, biologists, NGOs, politicians, and restaurants are working together to reduce accidental catches of sharks and rays and to conserve their populations.
Marine biologist Yehudi Rodríguez and her team at the University of Panama are tagging and releasing approximately 407 sharks and rays caught as bycatch on Promarina S.A. fishing vessels, while also training crew members to safely free entangled animals.
The company, Promarina, is working to maintain a bycatch rate below 1.2%, a level required by its Marine Trust sustainability certification. Alongside these efforts, the Panamanian government is considering a bill that would ban targeted shark and ray fishing, require fins to remain attached to bodies, and strengthen penalties for illegal fishing practices. Experts note that the country lacks crucial data on shark and ray populations, particularly breeding sites, which hinders effective conservation.
Several initiatives also aim to address the illegal trade of shark fins and domestic consumption of shark meat. The MarViva Foundation leads a “Shark-Free Ceviche” certification program, verifying that restaurants do not use shark or ray meat, and Panama has established a zero-export quota for listed species under the CITES wildlife trade convention, though illegal exports continue to be intercepted.
