Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANSALVADOR89
2006-01-11 21:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy San Salvador
Cable title:  

UNEXPLAINED TURTLE DEATHS RAISE POSSIBILITY OF ILLEGAL FISHING ALONG SALVADORAN COAST

Tags:  ECON EFIS SENV ES 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 000089 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIS SENV ES
SUBJECT: UNEXPLAINED TURTLE DEATHS RAISE POSSIBILITY OF ILLEGAL FISHING ALONG SALVADORAN COAST


UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 000089

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIS SENV ES
SUBJECT: UNEXPLAINED TURTLE DEATHS RAISE POSSIBILITY OF ILLEGAL FISHING ALONG SALVADORAN COAST



1. SUMMARY: On January 5 and 6, 2006 the Environmental
Division of the national police found 37 turtles and 1
dolphin dead on the country's beaches in the eastern part of
El Salvador. An additional 25 dead turtles were
subsequently discovered in a nearby bay. According to the
Environment Ministry (MARN),possible causes of death
include the illegal use of dragnets for shrimp without using
Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs). The National Fishery
Authority (CENDEPESCA) is now in charge of the investigation
and says it is too early to confirm the cause of death. END
SUMMARY.


2. On January 5, 31 turtles and 1 small dolphin were found
dead on the beach at El Icacal, in El Salvador's easternmost
Department of La Union. On January 6, an additional 6
turtles were found on the beach at El Cuco in the adjacent
Department of San Miguel. According to Ernesto Lopez,
Director of Natural Heritage at the Environment Ministry
(MARN),a possible cause of death is illegal fishing for
shrimp using nets not equipped with turtle excluder devices
(TEDs). Lopez reached this conclusion after viewing dead
turtles, which showed injuries to their fins, possibly
resulting from attempts to escape the nets. No autopsy was
conducted to determine other possible causes of death due to
the advanced state of decomposition of the remains. The
dead turtles belong to the three most common species in El
Salvador, Hawksbill Turtles (Imbricata Eretmochelys),Olive
Ridley Turtles (Olivacea Lepidochelys) and Black Turtles
(Chelonia Agassizii).


3. According to Sonia Salaverria, Fisheries Director for
the National Fishery Authority (CENDEPESCA),which is
handling the official investigation into the incidents, it
is too early to determine the exact cause of death of the
turtles since no autopsy was conducted. Biologists from
CENDEPESCA will continue with the investigation to determine
what happened to the turtles. An additional 25 dead turtles
have been reported on an island in the Department of
Usulutan's Bay of Jiquilisco. CENDEPESCA has sent
investigators and hopes to collect specimens and conduct an
adequate autopsy to pinpoint the cause of death. Salaverria
said other possible causes of death could be artesanal
fishing by local residents in the area, or some form of food
poisoning. CENDEPESCA and the Salvadoran Navy have
conducted spot inspections of commercial shrimp and tuna
boats but have not found any to be operating illegally.


4. Comment: To date an exact cause of death has not been
determined due to the decomposition of the remains, but the
Salvadorans are taking this issue seriously. If they find
any recently deceased turtles an autopsy should be able to
explain how the turtles died. Due to the number of turtles
involved it would appear the deaths are a result of illegal
commercial fishing rather than by individuals. The U.S. last
certified Salvadoran shrimp fishing practices as complying
with U.S. law regarding TEDs in May 2005, although fishing
activity off El Salvador may have since intensified, in
particular in connection with the establishment of a Grupo
Calvo tuna packing plant in La Union. The spot inspections
will probably not turn up any boats fishing without TEDs as
the deaths have been widely publicized and captains are
unlikely to risk being caught fishing illegally. If it is
determined is made that illegal fishing caused the deaths,
it will be difficult to find who is responsible, be they
Salvadoran or from another country's fishing fleet, unless
they are caught in the act of fishing without TEDs. End
Comment.


Barclay