Commercial and small-scale fishing in the Gulf of Nicoya has come under heavy restriction this month in an attempt to protect the dwindling fish populations at a time when, according to government studies, they are reproducing most.

The Costa Rican Fisheries Institute (INCOPESCA), the nation's fishing authority, designated the months of May, June and October this year for a partial ban on fishing. According to the regulations, semi-industrial dragnet shrimp fishing is banned completely for certain areas of the gulf, while sardine fishing is limited in areas to Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, according to an INCOPESCA statement.

Small-scale fishermen are limited to fishing with hand-held lines no longer than 500 meters and with no more than 300 hooks.

Sport fishing and recreational fishing are not affected by the ban.