{"id":18319,"date":"2026-10-26T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=18319"},"modified":"2026-10-26T11:03:56","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T16:03:56","slug":"marine-species-seizure-exposes-illegal-fishing-in-panama-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/environment-wildlife\/marine-species-seizure-exposes-illegal-fishing-in-panama-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Marine Species Seizure Exposes Illegal Fishing in Panama Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Panamanian authorities intercepted a small vessel carrying 33 illegally harvested marine organisms inside a protected national park<\/a> in Bocas del Toro<\/a> on October 25, 2026. The marine species seizure included 21 spiny lobsters<\/a>, six queen conch, and six octopuses found aboard a 12-foot artisanal cayuco near Cayo Zapatilla No. 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Park rangers from the Ministry of Environment<\/a> (MiAMBIENTE) and Environmental Police agents conducted the control and surveillance operation in Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park<\/a>. Three people were aboard the vessel, one reportedly a minor, according to the official report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
A sport fishing vessel operating without authorization within Coiba National Park was intercepted Illegal Fishing Boat Credit MiAmbiente.jpeg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Marine Species Seizure Details and Live Release<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Officials said the occupants initially ignored a stop signal and headed toward a surf zone with shallow rocks. After intercepting and inspecting the boat, authorities found the captured marine life along with equipment used for freediving extraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inventory recorded 21 spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus<\/a>), six queen conch (Lobatus gigas), and six octopuses (Octopus sp.). Of the lobsters, 14 were dead and seven were alive. All six conch survived, but all six octopuses had died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To minimize ecological damage, rangers released the seven live lobsters and six live conch back into their natural habitat. The 14 dead lobsters were transferred to the National Police on Isla Col\u00f3n for processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Illegal
Illegal Queen conch. By Mi Ambiente.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Equipment Confiscated and Legal Framework<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Authorities retained the vessel and seized two ropes, three diving masks, three snorkel tubes, and three pairs of fins. The case will be evaluated under several legal instruments, including Resolution JD-022-88 that created Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, Law 24 of 1995 on wildlife, and Resolution ADM ARAP No. 047 from May 20, 2026, which addresses the conch fishing ban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resolution DM-0173 from April 24, 2026, also applies to the case. MiAMBIENTE reiterated its call for citizens to respect fishing regulations within protected areas and report illegal activities affecting natural resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Ministerio de Ambiente inform\u00f3 sobre el hallazgo de 33 especies marinas durante un operativo de vigilancia en el Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos, en Bocas del Toro, donde se detect\u00f3 una presunta extracci\u00f3n ilegal de especies en el sector este de Cayo Zapatilla N.\u00ba 2.\n\nSeg\u00fan la entidad, guardaparques y agentes de la Polic\u00eda Ambiental inspeccionaron un cayuco con tres ocupantes y encontraron 21 langostas espinosas, seis caracoles marinos y seis pulpos. Siete langostas vivas y los seis caracoles fueron liberados en su h\u00e1bitat natural, mientras que las 14 langostas muertas fueron trasladadas a la Polic\u00eda Nacional en Isla Col\u00f3n.\n\n@MiAmbientePma indic\u00f3 que la embarcaci\u00f3n y los equipos presuntamente utilizados para la extracci\u00f3n fueron retenidos. El caso ser\u00e1 evaluado conforme a la normativa ambiental vigente para determinar las posibles responsabilidades por la captura de estos organismos marinos.\n\n#Nacional #RadioPanam\u00e1<\/p>— Radio Panam\u00e1 (@radiopanama) October 25, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>\n