Dear Friends,

We recently announced that as of November 22, 2004, all private docks in Costa Rica were officially closed to landings by foreign flag vessels.

<http://tortugamarina.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=140>

That is to say that, the Customs Law in Costa Rica is now being enforced at the private docks.  Foreign flag vessels, notably Taiwanese, are no longer allowed to use unauthorized, and thus illegal, private docks, where they can easily evade shark finning controls and land dozens of tons of fins.

Enforcement of the Customs Law at the private docks has been the central call of the "No Shark Finning" campaign in Cost Rica.

Dozens of national and international NGOs, as well as over 70,000 Costa Rican citizens joined our call to President Pacheco.  A list of NGOs is provided at the end of this message.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR CONSTANTLY SUPPORTING US!

However, this is o­nly a small step in our quest for the responsible management of the fishery resources of the region.  Now that current laws are being enforced, attention must be focused o­n the management of shark resources in a regional context.  Sharks are highly migratory animals, and responsible management in o­ne country is easily undermined by the lack of any sort of management in others.  Costa Rica must now consolidate as a marine conservation leader, and promote a process towards responsible fisheries in the region.

Stay informed:
This issue is still being challenged by private dock owners.
A new fishery policy law is being debated in the Costa Rican Congress.
The critically endangered leatherback sea turtle nesting season is underway o­n the Pacific coast.
And regional organization to further marine conservation policies and control foreign vessels that fin sharks is going o­n.

If possible, Please join us in sending two notes of gratitude (sample letters below):

One to the Director of Customs, Loretta Rodriguez Muñoz, who has a mere 5 months in her post yet has shown leadership in making decisions even in the face of opposition from other government entities, and a willingness to open dialogue with all parties.

And another letter to the Minister of Environment, Dr. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, who has maintained a constant solid position in favor of abiding by existing laws, prohibiting shark finning, and made efforts to conserve sharks, sea turtles and ocean ecosystems.

Thanks very much! and let us know if you have any questions.

The team at PRETOMA

SAMPLE  LETTERS.  If you work with an organization, please print o­n your letterhead and fax.

Honorable Minister of the Environment
Dr. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez
MINAE - Costa Rica
FAX (506) 257-0697
Email:  < >

Honorable Minister:

Thank you for your constant work towards prohibiting shark finning, conserving sharks and your efforts to protect ocean ecosystems. 

It has come to our attention that Customs Laws are now being enforced at private dock regarding fishery landings by foreign vessels.  We appreciate your leadership in this case and please count o­n our collaboration for supporting Costa Rica policies for conservation protection and management of ocean ecosystems, at national, regional and international levels.

Sincerely,
XXXXXx

Honorable Director of Customs
Loretta Rodriguez Munoz
Office of Customs - Costa Rica
FAX (506) 223 7334
Email:  < >

Honorable Director of Customs:

Thank you for your leadership and direct action to discourage shark finning and control foreign shark finning vessels by implementing controls at private docks in Costa Rican where numerous foreign vessels have been known for years to land multiple tons of shark fins in violation of Costa Rican shark fin regulations.

We humbly consider your action as o­ne very important step in the promotion of responsible management of ocean ecosystems. 

Please count o­n our support in any and all efforts you and your office are involved in, related to the stewardship of our precious natural resources.

Sincerely,
XXXXX

List of NGOs that support our call to the President of Costa Rica to end shark finning

National NGOs

Asociación Ambientalista Shurakma
Asociación ANAI
Asociación Conservacionista Monteverde (ACM)
Asociación Cristiana de Jóvenes (ACJ)
Asociación Costarricense para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (ASCONA)
Asociación Comunidades Ecológicas La Ceiba (COECOCeiba)
Asociación de Voluntarios en Investigación y Desarrollo Ambiental (VIDA)
Asociación Desamparadeña para el Desarrollo Sustentable (ADES)
Asociación Ecológica Cerro Las Vueltas
Asociación Ecológica Paquera, Lepanto y Cóbano (ASEPALECO)
Asociación Ecológica Trópico Cero
Asociación Ecologista de Guatuso y Patarrá (AECOGUAPA)
Asociación MarViva
Asociación Nacional Protectora de Animales (ANPA)
Asociación Para el Bienestar Ambiental de Sarapiquí (ABAS)
Asociación Para la Conservación de los Cerros de Escazú (CODECE)
Asociación Palmareña para la Recuperación del Ambiente (APRA)
Asociación Preservacionista de Flora y Fauna Silvestre APREFLOFAS
Asociación Protectora de Árboles (ARBOFILIA)
Asociación Ramonense para la conservación del Ambiente (ARCA)
Asociación Yiski
Asociaciones Unidas para el Rescate Animal (AURA)
Bosques del Toro
Centro Científico Tropical (CCT)
Centro de Capacitación para el Desarrollo (CECADE)
Centro de Derecho Ambiental y de Recursos Naturales (CEDARENA)
Comité Ambiental de Playa Sámara
Comité Cívico de Cañas
Confraternidad Guanacasteca
Conservación Internacional/Costa Rica (CI)
Fundación AMBIO
Fundación Amigos Isla del Coco (FAICO)
Fundación Arqueológica de Los Sitios de Moravia (FALSM)
Fundación CECROPIA
Federación Costarricense para la Conservación del Ambiente (FECON)
Fundación de Educación Ambiental, FUNDEA
Fundación Madre Verde
Fundación MARES
Fundación Neotrópica
Justicia para la Naturaleza (JPN)
Oilwatch /Costa Rica
Proyectos Alternativos para el Desarrollo Social (PROAL)
Red Ambiente Nacional (RANA)
Red Costarricense de Reservas Naturales
Red Nacional para la Conservación de las Tortugas Marinas de Costa Rica
Terra Nostra
Unidad Especial para el Rescate Animal (UESPRA)
World Society for the Protection of Animals/Costa Rica (WSPA)

International NGOs