The National Fishing and Aquaculture Institute (INPA) of Colombia imposed a two-month ban on Jan 20 for the Pacific region on the capture, marketing and consumption of shrimp in a bid to protect this endangered local species. The ban affects some 17,000 fisherfolk and shrimp boat operators, whose vessels will be closely monitored by port and municipal authorities.

Some fishing operations use illegal methods and capture the shrimp before they have reached the minimum size allowed by species-protecting rules, said Iván Valderrama, INPA director.