Antonio Porras Porras, Technical Director General, through official communication DGT-034-05-2013, which was based on the following considerations:
i- That through the present official communication, the recommendation of the Closed Season Commission (Comisión de Vedas) is submitted for the knowledge and analysis of the Board of Directors, for the implementation of the closed season in the Gulf of Nicoya, corresponding to the year 2013, in accordance with what was agreed in Record 03-2013 of the National Closed Season Commission (Comisión Nacional de Vedas).
ii- That after discussing the different proposals for the closed season for the year 2013 and considering the inputs provided by small-scale fishing organizations and the semi-industrial and longline sector, it is recommended that the closed season for the Gulf of Nicoya be established, if deemed pertinent, under the following terms and conditions:
A-The closed season zone for both small-scale commercial fishers and Tourist and Sport Fishing, shall be in the area defined by an imaginary line that goes from Punta Torres known as Peñón (84°43'52" West Longitude, 09°53'31" North Latitude) to the Faro de la Isla Negritos out (84°49'35" West Longitude, 09°49'14" North Latitude) and from there to the eastern part of Punta Cuchillo on the Nicoya Peninsula, from these lines inland to the mouth of the Tempisque River and this fishing prohibition runs from July 1 to September 30, both dates inclusive.
B-A closed season is established for Semi-industrial shrimp trawl and sardine purse seine (cerco) fishing in the area comprised by an imaginary line that goes from Punta Torres known as Peñón (84°43'52" West Longitude, 09°53'31" North Latitude) and from there to the eastern part of Punta Cuchillo on the Nicoya Peninsula, from these lines inland to the mouth of the Tempisque River, from July 1, 2013 until October 31, 2013. During the months of July, August, and September, sardine fishing with a purse seine net (red de cerco) is permitted in the area comprised by an imaginary line that goes from Punta Torres known as Peñón (84°43'52" West Longitude, 09°53'31" North Latitude) to the Faro de la Isla Negritos out (84°49'35" West Longitude, 09°49'14" North Latitude) and from there to the eastern part of Punta Cuchillo on the Nicoya Peninsula, from these lines to the Cruise Ship Pier (Muelle de Cruceros) in Puntarenas, provided that said fishing is carried out only by one sardine vessel, only one day per week, making a single landing (descarga) during the authorized day, which must be duly supervised by INCOPESCA and the product of the landing must be destined exclusively for sale for use as bait for the national fishing fleet. In the month of October, sardine fishing will not be permitted in the closed season area because it coincides with a reproductive peak of this species.