from The Billfish Foundation electronic newsletter:
Mexican Navy seizes Dorado Longliners in Sea of Cortez
Information obtained from anglers' observations of illegal longline activities in the southern Sea of Cortez led to the seizure of three vessels and 7
tons of dorado (dolphinfish) by the Mexican Navy. The fledgling La Paz based enforcement assistance program initiated by the Center for Marine
Protection, a partner of The Billfish Foundation, and funded by FONMAR, a trust created in 2005 to use recreational fishing license funds enforcement,
research and educational conservation programs in Baja California Sur, has has been working directly with a liaison officer from the Navy to
facilitate the use of on-the-water observations in assisting naval operations targeting illegal fishing activities. The Center for Marine Protection
is charged with developing programs to enhance marine conservation efforts in Baja California Sur (BCS) in cooperation with FONMAR.
Using such information the Navy was able to intercept and seize the trawler "Salty I" along with two pangas used to set longlines targeting dorado, a
species reserved to the sportfishing sector in a conservation zone extending 50 nautical miles from the coast. On July 27 a naval cruiser intercepted
the vessels and their illegal cargo. Permitted for squid fishing, the "Salada I" was apparently one of several Guaymas based trawlers that have been
operating as motherships in support of pangas conducting the illegal longline fishing in the western Sea of Cortez. All three vessels were taken to
the naval base at Santa Rosalia where they have been impounded and charges are pending against Captain Francisco Amador Vazquez and 5 crew members.
TBF President Ellen Peel said, " We are very grateful that our partnerships and networking with Mexican sportfishing and conservation groups are
making real progress in developing the enhanced enforcement activities vital to supporting Mexico's conservation laws."Santiago - 8-24-2006 at 07:45 AM
It's about time - do you think this is a one-time deal where someone didn't pay somebody off or is this the beginning of a real change in attitudes?Don Alley - 8-24-2006 at 08:23 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
It's about time - do you think this is a one-time deal where someone didn't pay somebody off or is this the beginning of a real change in attitudes?
A couple of points...
Last year, or the year before, a similar Guaymas boat permitted to take squid also was busted. But I've heard many rumors circulating around Loreto of
this illegal dorado and billfish longlining.
Second, I've heard of this program that takes money from licenses sold in Baja Sur and instead of sending the money to Mexico City, uses the money
locally for enforcement and other programs. That's the program refered to in this release. Glad to see it work here.
Still, I think this kind of enforcement is extremely inefficient. Using the Navy for on the sea enforcement? Boats permitted to take squid could be
easily inspected when they make port before cargo is allowed to be released for sale. Total fleet coverage at a fraction of the cost.
I wonder...what will happen to the boat, captain, crew and owner(s)?
Don-----just another angle, perhaps-----
Barry A. - 8-24-2006 at 09:16 AM
Using the Navy for this type of law enforcement has the plus of keeping the Navy busy--------they are going to put to sea anyway, for training, so
they might just as well be enforcing laws while they are at it. It is great training for them, too.fandango - 8-24-2006 at 12:04 PM
does the center for marine protection have any programs to deal with commercial fishing activities in baja north? is there a website for them? do you
know how the tip was relayed to them?Phil C - 8-24-2006 at 12:47 PM
Don, this is good news. Hopefully they will keep it up, several in a row would send a message.
