By Amanda Roberson, Tico Times Staff

During a recent operation to combat illegal fishing in Isla del Coco National Park, fish and sharks were discovered trapped in illegal longline hooks around the Isla del Coco area off the Pacific coast, according to the nonprofit marine protection organization MarViva.

MarViva, together with the Costa Rican Coast Guard and the Isla del Coco Marine Conservation patrollers, navigated the area July 24-31 searching for illegal lines. They discovered discovered 50 miles of longline with 1,000 fishhooks and 500 buoys attached where eight sharks and 85 tuna were trapped. Many of the fish died.

A 2002 decree by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) prohibits boats from entering the Isla del Coco National Park area, which extends for 12 nautical miles from the island, explained MarViva spokeswoman Michelle Soto. Additionally, Costa Rican law prohibits any type of fishing in national parks.

However, fishermen entering the national park area is “nothing new,” Soto said.

“We’ve seen this in years past, but usually in October and November,” Soto said. “This year we’re starting to see it in July and August.”

Areas near the coast this year have seen less fish, leading fishermen to head outward into the national park area, she said.

The Isla del Coco national park is an “important” area biologically because of its unique plants, habitat for the breeding of marine species and ocean current.

Soto said MarViva will continue working with the Costa Rican Coast Guard and Isla del Coco Marine Conservation patrollers to combat illegal fishing, which harms this unique ecosystem.