The suggestions were made after the EU imposed a yellow card to this country in 2019, a sort of warning in order to correct irregular practices, which if not complied with could restrict sales of the item to the European market.

With this review, Panama is debating between receiving a red card that would close the doors of the EU or, on the contrary, reaching the green card, which is equivalent to compliance with the recommendations to curb illegal fishing.

Seafood exports are the second largest food shipment of this country after bananas. Official statistics indicate that 90% of Panama’s tuna exports are destined for Europe.

Through representatives of the EU’s Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the authorities will verify compliance with regulations such as avoiding fishing without a valid license, in a closed area or during a closed season, or using prohibited gear, among others.

The EU is the world’s largest import market for fishery products and, as such, has indicated that it is primarily responsible for the marketing situation in the fight against irregularities.

In this sense, they created a catch certification system that requires flag states to guarantee that the fish caught by their vessels and marketed in the EU does not come from illegal activities.

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