Illegal fishermen see Cocos Island as a delicious feast, and they insist on eating even though it is a forbidden delicacy.
The protected area has been stalked for years by activities such as illegal fishing or drug trafficking.
However, one of the worst massacres happened on November 8th, when eight sharks were found dead from an extensive fishing gear.
Geiner Golfín, coordinator of seamounts of the National Park, said the suspect vessel was boarded near the site of the discovery, but they were unable to link the passengers with the illegally caught fish.
The island is still a desirable place. An oasis in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, in the midst of situations such as climate change or the phenomenon El Niño, this is a relevant point in the tropical Pacific marine corridor,”
said Golfín.
The island is not the only place where Costa Rican fishermen seek to profit. Recently, there were cases in the sanctuary of marine life Malpelo in Colombia or the Galápagos Islands, despite both sites being declared heritage of humanity.
The Costa Rican longline fleet is vulnerable to drug trafficking activity, as has been shown on other occasions.
The island belongs to the Marine Corridor of the East Tropical Pacific, along with Malpelo of Colombia, Galápagos of Ecuador and Coiba of Panama.
Those who fish illegally are always near the border to enter the protected zone at any time. In the case of Cocos Island this space ranges from 26 to 40 miles from mainland.