What we are about

A letter from the heart

First and foremost I am not alone in my desire to keep the worlds marine environment and fisheries in a sustainable manner for generations to come. We are not just fishermen, complaining about the “other people” using this resource but men and women determined to make the public aware of what is happening to one of the worlds best fisheries. There are many other foundations striving for this same purpose in existence but few seem to make an impact. The Panama Marine Resource Foundation was formed by a group of international  trusts that have seen the rapid decay of the marine environmental system here in Panama over the last ten years. Our foundation is comprised of Sport fisher men and women, Commercial fishing interests, government agency's and just people who want to leave something to our children and grand children. We have gained support from the scientific sector as we added a fish tagging program, supported sea turtle rescue and rearing programs and an educational program within the local school systems. The future of our program depends on success within all of the above programs. Panama is a small central country with just over three million people, however it's marine resources feed ten's of millions world wide.

Panama is still much like “The old west “ of the 1800 in The United States of America. There are law's protecting certain areas of the marine environment but little enforcement. Foreign and yes, some national commercial interests continue to take advantage of this fact. Long lines, commercial diving, outlawed purse seine tuna boats are still illegally harvesting hundred's of tuns of fish yearly. The Panama Marine Resource Foundation through it's members are the only foundation acting daily on these problems. Through our fleets of member lodges and independent boat captains we can observe the illegal fishing activities and report them to the government agencies responsible for enforcing the laws.

The membership is also very active in our education program and sponsorship of beach clean ups. With new support from both central and American companies such as Shimano, Oakley, Suzuki Panama, The Fishing Store, The Caribbean Tobacco Company, Alta Pesca and many others we continue to make steady progress. As a fisherman and father/Grand father I hope you will join us. Below is a schedule of membership and banking information for the foundation. Support the following lodges and sporting good, marinas and related business who all have contributed so much.
John Maynard President P.M.R.F.