President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, exercised his right to veto a bill and said No once again to the practice of trawling.
Alvarado gave a total veto to the bill, he explained that the analysis carried out to this date have not provided sufficient scientific elements and technical studies to guarantee the sustainability of the technique described in the bill.

“For this reason and exercising my constitutional power and my duty to promote common wellness and ensuring the balance of the productive activity and the sustainability…” expressed Alvarado and he continued, “ with the available elements that have been provided by different economic, politic and productive sectors, the criteria remains that there is a negative environmental and social-economic impact that comes with the reestablishment of this fishing technique especially in sectors such as artisanal fishing, biodiversity and also over the tourism activity of which many jobs depend”.

The President also reaffirmed the commitment of the government with the affected sector to find solutions to the crisis and generate more employment and opportunities to improve the quality of life.

Now, when the bill is returned to Congress with a veto from the executive branch, Congress has two choices, they can accept the recommendation of the executive branch or they can try to pass the bill, but for this, they need at least 38 votes in favor. If the project does not have the 38 votes needed it will be archived.