Coral Decline Triggers Temporary Fisheries Moratorium in Costa Mar

The Costa Mar Reef Monitoring Network reported at 08:00 local time that live coral cover at the Punta Coral monitoring station fell to 38 percent, a 12 percent decline from the previous month’s reading of 50 percent.

Scientists linked the decline to a combination of rising sea temperature and a nutrient surge recorded last week by the Federal Hydro Authority at the nearby Río Esperanto intake, conditions that accelerate bleaching and reduce reef resilience.

In response, the Federal Fisheries Board announced a provisional suspension of the regional catch quota for the next thirty days, a move that the Marine Ministry in Puerto Azul described as a precautionary “temporary moratorium”.

The moratorium’s effect on local cooperatives, tourism operators and small‑boat captains will be detailed in the following sections.