US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA538

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000538 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
GUATEMALA FOR COMATT: MLARSEN 
STATE FOR WHA/CEN, OES:DHOGAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EFIS, SENV, ETRD, ECON, HO 
SUBJECT: GOH PROGRESS ON TEDS PROGRAM 
 
REF: (A) 03 SECSTATE 06760, (B) 03 TEGUCIGALPA 116, (C) 03 
SECSTATE 54094, (D) 03 TEGUCIGALPA 583, (E) SECSTATE 19776 
 
1. (SBU) Summary. Since the visit of the State / NOAA 
training team in December 2003, Honduras has been working to 
continue improving the turtle excluder device (TED) program 
and enforcement abilities of fisheries officials. 
Understanding that re-certification was premised upon 
training new inspectors and a strengthening of the overall 
program, GOH officials continue working on ensuring 
inspector continuity.  The Ministry is coordinating with the 
navy and fishing industry to receive monthly inspection 
reports including at-sea inspections, and preparing to 
present new fishing laws to congress that will give the GOH 
improved legal grounds for prosecution of boat owners found 
in violation.  Consistent USG monitoring is still necessary 
to ensure sustainability of the program.  End Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) Per ref E, EconOff notified GOH officials January 
29, 2004, that Honduras was re-certified under Section 609 
of P.L. 101-162 and that the shrimp embargo was lifted.  GOH 
officials were informed, and understand, that the GOH must 
take concrete steps to ensure a strengthened, continuing 
program, including inspector retention, regular inspections, 
and improved enforcement capability. 
 
3. (SBU) During a January 27 meeting with EconOffs, the 
Minister of Agriculture, Mariano Jimenez, consistently 
expressed his support and dedication, and the commitment of 
the Maduro administration, to the creation of a sustainable 
TEDs program.  In a February 6 letter to the Minister of 
Finance, Jimenez requested that 70 percent of the 5 million 
lempira collected by DIGEPESCA last year be returned to the 
department, specifically to fund the TEDs program.  That 3.5 
million lempira (USD 195,500) would compensate for the 1.3 
million lempira budget cut mandated by the National 
Congress, plus allow for additional spending on increased 
inspectors' salaries as indicated by Agricultural Vice 
Minister Perez. 
 
4. (SBU) In a 26 February letter to the Embassy, Perez noted 
that inspectors performed an at-sea inspection during the 
period February 16-20, boarding 10 vessels.  From this 
inspection, only one ship, the Whirl Wind, had one net at 60 
degrees but the vessel was not fishing due to lack of fuel. 
Eight dockside inspections were completed February 10-17 by 
the newly appointed and trained inspectors. The results of 
those inspections indicated 3 vessels not in compliance: the 
Capt. Iran, the Capt. Norman and the Morning Star.  Each had 
1 net with a 60-degree angle (the Capt. Iran net in 
violation was noted as a reserve net).  The inspectors also 
noted that the Capt. Iran is utilizing the new double 
curtain system and has reported good results.  Copies of 
those inspections were forwarded to the Economic section. 
According to Perez, the captains of the vessels in violation 
were given a warning since it was considered a first 
offense.  Any subsequent, repeat violations by these vessels 
or their captains will result in fines. 
 
5. (SBU) On updating the fisheries law, last year the GOH 
contracted a consultant from the Central American 
independent fishing organization "OPESCA" to draft a new 
fisheries law, which the Ministry plans to finalize with 
industry input by June or July of 2004 and present to the 
Honduran National Congress.  This new law is expected to 
strengthen fishing laws, update harvesting seasons, and 
increase fines for infractions or violations. 
 
6. (SBU) Inspector turnover remains a possibility, but the 
Ministry is working to retain institutional knowledge. 
Since the replacement of all inspectors and subsequent lack 
of training or knowledge was a decisive factor in the last 
de-certification in January 2003, GOH officials are 
negotiating with the international Pan-American Agricultural 
School at Zamorano to move the inspectors out of the 
Ministry and place them under the administrative authority 
of Zamorano.  This will create a stable, continuing civil 
society position instead of a rotating political position. 
 
7. (SBU) Comment: Embassy monitoring of the program is 
continuing in order to ensure that the GOH fulfills its 
commitment to environmental protection under the TEDs 
program.  End note. 
 
PALMER