I GUESS COSTA RICA IS JUST SCREWED

[alltackle]

Myself and four others spent a combined $15,000.00 in Playa Jaco, CR in March 2008.

I hope they sort this out so that I feel good about going back.

[CanyonDreams 2]

That is some scary stuff !!!!

What a way to spend a vacation.

[Swami]

I heard about this before it became public and I was a little skeptical but to see the video--just incredible. There are some well-known boats in there. The Gringo Honeymoon is the Viking that almost gets run down by the seiner as he's closing up the net, and the video was taken from the Spanish Fly. They were going to cut the float line to get out but the guys in the small boats threatened them so they backed off. Some of the other boats involved were (supposedly) the Draggin Fly, Marlin Mujer and Fish Whistle, all charter boats out of Los Suenos.

Maybe I'm mistaken but I'm pretty sure Costa Rica does not have a navy, that the USN and USCG are responsible for securing their shores from foreign military threats (I've seen different USCG cutters at least twice off CR). This means that Costa Rica doesn't have an active way to police blatant fisheries violators like this one.

The other rumor is that this boat is owned by Hugo Chavez through a blind Panamanian company--basically he sends them on illegal fishing missions to nations that cannot protect their own shores, the boats load up with fish and head back to Venezuela and help feed the people there. Chavez looks like a hero in their eyes, and because the boats don't take on fuel or provisions or sell their fish to the countries where they're fishing, the economic impact for these nations is zero. Just an opinion, but it's Chavez' way of thumbing his nose at the rest of the world. Where's the CIA when you need them

OK, off the soapbox, sorry for the rant...

[thums up]

It is crazy not a normal occ. here. Cr only has a Coast Guard and no Navy your right....And the U.S. provides support via CG and Navy.

I find the Chavez info very interesting. Makes sense, he has very close relations with the Pres. of Nic. and that is where the boat came from and probally off loaded to send the stuff back to Ven.. Nic., while being quiet for a while is stating to have some serious problem now they joined with Chavez.

As for the sieners in general they have been in and out of Cr for some 10-20 yrs.. They haven't made a big dent in that time. I still wish they would outlaw them and long lineing too. Most of the slow fishing the last 2 years is because of the El Nino/La NIna cycle which has just ended. It is about 7 yrs. before the next one, thank god!

Helpfully, this incident in the long run will be a big help. The Cr gov. has sat back on its heels and paid no attention to the Comm. fishing for to long. But, with this incident they really have woken up and started to pay attention! Many people have been banging on there door and I encourage others to do the same, write them or send an email to the info earlier in the thread. I hope it (CR) continues to be angry and make changes for the betterment of the sportfishing industry and there econ.

[cascoli]

I'd imagine those boys on the tuna boat are armed as well. What a mess.

[Jared D]

I am just blown away at the audacity of this! Its time to start taking the barrett .50bmg off shore when outta Costa I suppose.

Never been, but I damn sure wouldnt go with this sort of drama unfolding.

I am going to write, out of sheer disgust!

[Poledancer]

looks like the same bandit from this video.

[Seth]

INCOPESCA has so little money and/or ability to enforce marine laws. I hope that with the endangering of not only locals, but tourists in this video sends a strong signal to the CR gov that this reckless outlaw behavior must be stopped immediately.

[costaricasportfishing]

While fishing the 26rocks today. A tunaboat steamed in to see if we were on the tunas. He slowed and watched us for a bit and went on into port. I haven't heard of any other cases the past week or so. Very few boats going out. But....Fishing was GREAT today. We caught some nice Yellowfin,a Wahoo,Cubera Snapper(nice one),Mullet Snapper(really nice one)some nice Dorado,1 for 2 on Sailfish, 2 nice Grouper(butterfly Jig) Pretty Blue water. I heard boats fishing outside were getting around 5-10 Sail bites. Some Tuna caught again today.

Thanks Squidnation for putting out the numbers for Arias. Please take a min and BLOW his FAX machine up.

Dave
www.costasportfishing.com

[rarhomes]

The best way to contact the president directly is through his personal fax number. President Arias' personal fax number is 011-506-2253-9078. Please send a short fax expressing your concern[/QUOTE]

Here is the numbers: