What Happened
Panama has put into operation a new Fishing Monitoring and Satellite Surveillance Center at Vacamonte International Port, strengthening oversight of the country’s commercial fleet and its maritime activity.
The center is equipped with advanced technology and will operate around the clock, staffed by 18 employees working in three shifts. Its main task is to monitor and inspect fishing operations in real time.
How the System Works
The industrial fleet uses a satellite device known as VMS, which sends live signals that are tracked through a technological platform. That system allows authorities to follow vessel positions, speeds, and behavior with greater precision.
The new monitoring post is designed to help prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, enforce restricted areas, and support the certification of legally obtained catches.
Why It Matters
Panama’s national fishing fleet is made up of about 500 vessels, operating mainly in the Pacific side and to a lesser extent in the Atlantic. Constant surveillance of that fleet is central to improving fishing control and advancing full traceability of catches.
Full traceability is increasingly important for seafood exports because it strengthens confidence in the legality and origin of products that leave the country. Better monitoring can also support the sustainability of marine resources and help protect fishing zones.
Coordination With Other Agencies
The ARAP said the new center will work in coordination with the National Aeronaval Service, the Panama Maritime Authority, and the Ministry of Environment to exchange strategic information. That cooperation is intended to improve enforcement and expand the country’s ability to respond to suspicious activity at sea.
Sector Reactions
Eduardo Carrasquilla, administrator of the ARAP, said the new post reflects the country’s effort to improve fisheries oversight and move toward total traceability of catches, a key element for strengthening seafood exports.
Tomás Villa Villa, of the National Association of the Panamanian Fishing Industry, said the center places Panama in a strong position in the sector. Zuleyka Pinzón, of Fundación Pacífico, said it represents an important step for monitoring national waters and combating illegal fishing.
The launch marks a new phase in Panama’s effort to protect its marine resources while giving authorities a more direct tool to supervise one of the country’s important productive sectors.