Smithsonian Institute's and Sylvia Earle Alliance submarine research at Hannibal Bank

[714aheim]

Man, what I'd do to take a ride in that sub on the Bank or around Montuosa. Seems like a great project.

MPA Booooo!

[PuraVida2U]

Tony is exactly right. In 1991 I was handling the reservations for the 70' custom Halter sportfisher "Courtship II" based out of Golfito for one week trips to Costa Rica's Cocos Island Located 315 miles off the coast. In my opinion, the best fishing (inshore or offshore) on the planet. After about a year or so, a National Geographic scuba diving program about the hammerhead sharks was filmed at Cocos Island during one of our charters. They made a point to remark about the horror of the fact that there was a sportfishing boat there, and they were actually fishing...then while they were filming, they found a little shark laying dead on the bottom with a fish hook in it's mouth and presented this evidence and exploited it to the world on TV.

Shortly thereafter a wealthy group of foreign conservationists and diving enthusiasts presented the Costa Rican govt. with a large "Government Grant" to close Cocos Island to all fishing interests, sport or commercial, within 15 miles of the island. With no advance notice, our last charter to Cocos was met with automatic gunfire over the bow from a Costa Rican patrol boat and turned back to Costa Rica. Ending one of the finest sportfishing destinations on the planet. This is how it goes.

As Tony mentioned, "That's what happened to Coiba Island when it became a World Heritage Site and was immediately declared as a no fishing zone within a mile of the island. This is another step to closing down more prime fishing areas".

Fred Stephens
Adventure Sportfishing

[jimbutts]

I agree with Tony. I am always suspicious about these types of projects. Commercial fishing kills tons more fish than recreational and does not bring as big an economic return, but activists do not care. They lump all fishing together regardless of the economic impact. This scares me.

[tap]

There are no secrets here if you read the expeditions blog. They want a world-wide connection of the best ocean habitats to serve as marine "growth" areas to replenish marine "loss" areas (MLPA?). Although team volunteers have started an educational process in Panama to educate about marine conservation it will "...the future generation" that will need to protect the resources. Quote from a recent dive on Hannibal: "A big ball of fishing line was a jarring reminder of the fishing that still occurs here".

Tony Peña
"The Roving Angler"

[jillybird]

I still would love to go for a ride on their sub, though.

[scandalous]

Even though Coiba is a World Heritage Site and is protected from commercial fishing, recreational fishermen only need to apply for a license at the ANAM (park rangers) office to fish inside park borders of Coiba. It's another hoop to jump through but no worse than getting a fishing license in the states.

I wouldn't worry too much about this research expedition. Many powerful and rich Panamanians fish the area regularly in their big sportfishs including the President and Ex-Presidents. They may eventually enact some regulations but doubtfully completely restricing sportfishing the Hannibal Bank. It'll be good to see what they say about the state of the ecosystem near and around the Bank.

[tap]

I'll try to be as optimistic as you Shane. I've fished Hannibal with President Martinelli's family before so at least they are sportsmen. Regarding Coiba there is a famous but little discussed "Catch 22". The pass you get from the rangers allows you to stay within the one mile "no fishing zone" for anchoring overnight, etc. but does not give you permission to fish. So with or without a permit you are not supposed to fish-that's the Catch 22. The only advantage is that if you are caught fishing the rangers will usually allow you to move on without a fine/confiscation if you have a permit. I've experienced all kinds of situations with the Ranger encounters and luckily, when we didn't spend a half-day getting a permit we were popping a rock about 1.2 miles from the island and they stayed with us for 30 minutes making sure we didn't get any closer. Sure there are some "sweetheart" deals where familiararity may help them look the other way but you can't count on that, especially if fishing from a private, foreign vessel. One reason the "no fishing zone" is not discussed very much is that visiting anglers want to fish this famous island that is shown in all the colorful brochures and a firm "no" may lose clients. Also, as I mentioned, some operators have developed a friendsip with the Rangers and may get away with more than they are technically allowed.

Tony Peña
"The Roving Angler"

[Tar Pit]

The final government report of the dive will come back with the word "crisis" over and over. If they don't find a world ending crisis the entire project was a waste of money and they can look for budget cuts next year. The money goes to the biggest crisis. It comes down to money and their jobs at the Smithsonian. Not the poor people of Costa Rica.

Remember. They say their work is about saving all life on the planet. You guy just like to kill things.

[mma]

sadly, i think there is no reasonable chance of this "research" not
pushing for an end to any fishing at Hannibal. The track record
of such expiditions is that fishing is bad, preservation is good.

Not good news.

[reganp]

Unfortunately, history has shown repeatedly that unprotected resources like fish will always be over exploited and destroyed. Commercial exploitation will destroy Panama as it has elsewhere. Sportfisherman aid in the process when they advocate for no regulations. A more nuanced approach is always more difficult but that's the way to go if you enjoy fishing out there and expect to find great fishing once you get out there. Regulating fishing, especially commercial fishing, will mean a healthier resource for all--and better sport fishing. IMHO