PANAMA WANTS TO JOIN WECAFC; SUPPORTS USG POSITION

UNCLAS PANAMA 001635

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR STATE WHA/CEN - TELLO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIS ETRD SENV
SUBJECT: PANAMA WANTS TO JOIN WECAFC; SUPPORTS USG POSITION
ON SPINY LOBSTER FISHERIES

REF: STATE 131588


1. (U) SUMMARY. On September 26, 2007, EconOff delivered
reftel talking points on spiny lobster fisheries to George
Novey, Deputy Administrator of Panama's Aquatic Resources
Authority (ARAP). Novey said Panama was not a member of the
Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (WECAFC) but
supported the USG positions. Novey said he would ask for USG
support for Panama to join WECAFC as a Cooperating Non
Member. Novey said the GOP is concerned about reefer ships
carrying fuel in the Caribbean having to obtain fishing
licenses. END SUMMARY.

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GOP Supports USG Position; Wants to Join WECAFC
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2. (U) On September 26, 2007, EconOff discussed reftel
talking points with Novey. Novey said that while Panama was
not a member of WECAFC, he was interested in attending the
October 9-12 Cartagena meeting. Novey said he supports in
principle the USG position, and that Panama is also seeking
ways to protect spiny lobster breeding stock.


3. (U) On October 3, 2007, Ligia Castro de Doens,
Administrator of Panama's Environmental Authority (ANAM)
informed EconOff that ANAM was unaware of the meeting and
that it would otherwise fall within the purview of ARAP.
When informed of the reftel points, Castro expressed support
for the USG position.


4. (U) Novey followed up with a letter seeking USG support
for entry into WECAFC as a Cooperating Non Member
(translation below).


5. (U) Novey said the GOP is also concerned about the
requirement for Panamanian flagged reefer ships transporting
oil to obtain fishing licenses for various Caribbean ports.
He said several Panamanian flagged reefers have been denied
entry into Caribbean ports for not having a fishing license.
He said he believes the regulations requiring fishing
licenses for ships which support fishing vessels is unfair
and discriminatory against these reefers. Novey requested
USG assistance in addressing the GOP's concerns on this issue
within WECAFC.

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Text of Letter Requesting USG Support
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6. (U) Unofficial translation of letter received from ARAP on
October 4, 2007:

Please accept are most cordial greetings and on your
solicitation for your intervention with the goal of
supporting Panama's entry as a Cooperating Non Member to the
Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (WECAFC),the
request results from actual difficulties we are confronting
with respect to Panamanian flagged vessels who visit ports
covered by this commission.

Also, we would like to participate in the biannual meeting
which will be held during 2007 of this year.

Without any other matter, I remain attentively,
Reynaldo Perez Guardia
General Manager



7. (U) Posts requests Department's guidance in response to
the GOP's request for support on WECAFC membership and the
reefer issue.
EATON