BajaNews - 12-8-2006 at 12:01 PM
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/columns/article_...
December 8, 2006
DAVE STREGE
The Revillagigedo Islands, off limits to the long-range fleet for four years, are back on the radar screen.
The Mexican government turned the popular big-tuna destination into reserves and shut out the fleet.
But Bob Fletcher, president of the Sportfishing Association of California, said there has been "some modest progress" on getting back the permits to
fish the islands, located 240 miles south of the Baja tip.
Fletcher said the regional director of the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas has indicated support for opening the islands but scientific
evidence showing tuna angling wouldn't harm the reserve is needed to change the regulation.
The Royal Star has made a catch-and-release trip to the islands. More research cruises are needed, Fletcher said.
Fletcher said he will meet with the director again next month in Mexico.
"Historically, the old long-rangers all remember the good fishing at the Revillagigedos and they want to go back," Fletcher said. "As soon as we get
that back, there'll be a rush of people to book those trips."