New program fights garbage

PANAMÁ. To lessen the impact that marine garbage has on organisms and species living in the sea, the Authority of Panamanian Aquatic Resources (ARAP) has initiated a program to collected trash found in the water, and to educated the public not to throw trash into the water.

There will be with special emphasis placed on the collection of ghost nets. Ghost nets are a tool used commonly by fisherman during their daily tasks. Often times, the nets become caught on rocks or are left behind by their users, leading to the death of many marine species, especially in their younger stages of life.

The new projects takes life with the funds of ARAP’S Fortification Program, and is expected to be run internally by members of the program.

The project will also look to inhabitants of the surrounding areas, Pocri, Pedasi and Tonosi to aid in the collection of the trash that is common in the region.

The ARAP officially began the program in the Iguana Island area of Pedasi. As a result, over 100 meters of cloth and mesh were collected, alongwith a great deal of waste.

They also plan to extend the program to the national level in order to further assist in the marine biodiversity of the country’s , zones of fishing interest, the handling of garbage, and water sportis activities.

ARAP also recommends that artisan fisherman not attempt to work in rocky areas of the sea. They urge that should a fisherman’s net get caught amongst the rocks, tt they take care in not leaving them behind.

Finally, the ARAP reiterated to all citizens that they must work to end the common practice of throwing garbage into the sea.