GOH RESPONSE TO TEDS VERIFICATION REPORT

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000116 SIPDIS SENSITIVE GUATEMALA FOR COMATT: DTHOMPSON STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIS SENV ETRD ECON HO SUBJECT: GOH RESPONSE TO TEDS VERIFICATION REPORT REF: SECSTATE 06760 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Per reftel request, on January 13, Econoff delivered demarche talking points to Vice Minister of Agriculture German Perez on the outcome of the December visit to the island of Roatan by USG fisheries officials to inspect Honduras' TEDs program and the plans to de-certify Honduras to export commercially harvested shrimp to the U.S. The Ambassador had previously contacted President Maduro on January 9 to alert him of the possible de-certification. Perez blamed the lack of TEDs compliance on a change in government last February that resulted in a turnover in fisheries inspectors. Perez reiterated the importance of shrimp exports to the Honduran economy and is eager to get their TEDs program back on track. The GOH will formulate a proposal detailing their plans to strengthen the TEDs program and requesting additional TEDs training before USG fisheries officials return for another TEDs inspection. Perez remarked that they are interested in getting re- certified before the 2003 commercial shrimp season begins in July of 2003. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador Palmer spoke with President Maduro the evening of January 9, alerting him that during a December inspection of Honduras' TEDs program, USG fisheries officials found major problems with the implementation of TEDS and that Honduras would most likely have its TEDs certification withdrawn, resulting in a ban on the exportation of commercially harvested shrimp to the U.S. Maduro appreciated the call, reiterated the importance of shrimp exports to the U.S. and promised to look into the matter. ¶3. (U) Econoff met with Vice Minister of Agriculture German Perez on January 13 to deliver reftel demarche talking points and brief him on the TEDs team's findings. Econoff encouraged Perez to consider formulating a proposal for a training program on the proper implementation and supervision of TEDs. Perez had spoken with Roatan fisheries officials before the meeting to get a readout on the December inspection. Perez suggested that the change in government last February resulted in a high turnover of personnel, including fisheries officials and inspectors in the Ministry of Agriculture, and that new employees have not been properly trained on TED's implementation and inspection procedures. Perez also offered the weak argument that a culture of lawlessness exists on Roatan and that inspection officials are often intimidated into not performing their duties. ¶4. (U) Perez responded enthusiastically about the prospects of receiving further TEDs training for fisheries officials, noting the importance of shrimp exports to the Honduran economy. Post will continue to encourage the GOH to develop a plan to implement and regulate the use of TEDs on commercial fishing boats and will forward the Ministry's proposal for training as soon as it is received. Comment -------------- ¶5. (U) The GOH feels they have a small window of opportunity to get their TEDs program back on line and get re-certified. The 2002 commercial shrimping season officially closes January 31, 2003, and the 2003 season is projected to open in early July, giving the GOH a five to six-month period to turn its TEDs program around. Post notes that the GOH received TEDs training in 2001 and was subsequently re- certified to export commercially harvested shrimp. While Post believes that GOH officials are sincere in their desire to be TEDs compliant, we recommend that USG fisheries officials make sure that the GOH takes the necessary measures to ensure that their TEDs program will remain compliant in the coming years. End comment. PALMER