Authorities from several institutions carried out a joint maritime and river operation in the Bay of Santo Tomás, Izabal. The initiative aimed to strengthen governance and institutional presence in the area. The activity was coordinated by the Regional Delegation of the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP).
Personnel from the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulation (DIPESCA), agents from the Division for Nature Protection (DIPRONA), members of the National Civil Police (PNC), and representatives from the Foundation for Ecodevelopment and Conservation (FUNDAECO) participated in the operation.
During the event, authorities conducted preventive patrols and inspections of fishing activities in both maritime and riverside areas. In one inspection, officials approached a boat whose occupants were beginning to fish with gillnets.
DIPRONA agents, accompanied by DIPESCA technical staff, reminded fishermen that a general fishing ban is currently in effect. They urged them to collect their equipment and return to shore.
The procedure was carried out peacefully and cooperatively. Fishermen received information about when the ban would be lifted—on November 1—after which they may resume fishing activities.
This operation is part of ongoing collaboration between state institutions and environmental organizations to strengthen control and monitoring mechanisms along Guatemala’s Caribbean coast.
“With these actions, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food reaffirms its commitment to responsible fishing and conservation of hydrobiological resources in the country,” said MAGA.
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