May 23, 2012

Costa Rica's shrimp stocks may be permitted to re-export to the US, after it was banned in 2009 due to its impact on turtles.

US law requires commercial operators to use turtle excluder devices (TEDs, for its acronym in English) to protect these endangered animals, while performing the wild shrimp trawling, according to reports.

"It should be noted that Costa Rica continued successful legal action against the captains of vessels that did not implement the simple step of TEDs. We give credit to Incopesca and the National Coast Guard. The protection of marine resources is essential for sustainable development," voiced Ambassador Anne Andrew.

Inspections late last year showed that the country has taken sufficient steps to address these issues and therefore justify their recertification.