BajaNomad

Baja bust nets 10 - 12 tons of dorado

Bajaboy - 9-13-2008 at 10:31 PM

The Billfish Foundation issued a news release lauding the bust last weekend in Magdalena Bay of two Mexican longline fishing crews for illegally harvesting 10-12 tons of dorado while holding shark permits.

The only real news here: Mexico may actually be enforcing, to whatever degree, a law that fishermen holding shark permits—since there aren’t enough sharks left off Mexico to justify large-scale shark fishing—openly violate.

It is widely believed that the majority of these fishermen are after bycatch: the so-called incidental catch of more marketable species.

It is also reasonable to assume that illegally caught dorado—the species is reserved for sport angling in Mexican waters—has been ending up in U.S. markets and being sold as mahi-mahi, a more glamorous name for the same species of fish.

“Apparently the recent interest of U.S. enforcement officials in the import of illegally caught dorado has persuaded CONAPESCA that they need to concede TBF’s position that there is no basis in Mexican law to allow bycatch in the conservation zones and enforce the federal fisheries law,” said Ellen Peel, president of the The Billfish Foundation, a Florida-based conservation group.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2008/09/magdalena-b...
CONAPESCA is Mexico’s fisheries agency, run by Ramon Corral, who has been an ardent supporter of a controversial shark fishing regulation that favors commercial fishing interests over sportfishing interests.

Peel said the two vessels—owned by renowned longliner Henry Collard—and their hauls remain confiscated at Port San Carlos within Magdalena Bay on the west coast of Baja California Sur.

Collard is an influential figure in the fishing industry. It'll interesting to see how seriously Mexico treats this case.

--Pete Thomas

woody with a view - 9-14-2008 at 05:39 AM

remove the fish for the poor. sink the ships, and all aboard.

[Edited on 9-14-2008 by woody in ob]

CaboRon - 9-14-2008 at 06:32 AM

The two ships should NOT be returned .....

This is a good thing, if the Mexican gov't is starting to enforce the fishing laws.

CaboRon

805gregg - 9-14-2008 at 09:25 AM

Probably forgot to pay his bribes.

Bajaboy - 9-14-2008 at 11:29 AM

Based on a few other stories I came across, this seems to be a common practice.

Zac

CaboRon - 9-14-2008 at 11:45 AM

So, the Mexican gov't wasn't doing jack, as standard practice ....

The bribes were late ?? ....

Unbelieveable ....

CAboRon

long liners

mulege marv - 9-16-2008 at 06:27 AM

well the authorities didnt bother with looking around mulege. there were 12 to 15 long liners & seiners working the area including the bay for months. the shore line was littered with dead fish & birds, now that they are gone so are all the fish. the local pangeros have even stopped fishing for the most part and are now squidding. its a real shame, pretty slim pickens.

temp_070.jpg - 47kB

Cypress - 9-16-2008 at 12:00 PM

mulege marv, You're telling it like it is, appreciate your honesty about a bad situation. A lot of folks are either in denial or ignorant of the status of the recreational/sport fisheries in the Sea of Cortez. Maybe they have a hidden agenda? :?: Thanks again for your honesty. Mulege is a great place, would be much better if the fishing wasn't going down the tubes.

Don Alley - 9-16-2008 at 07:42 PM

La Paz outfitter David Jones posted this on Bloodydecks:


http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/baja-mexico-fishing-report...

The busts reported here of commercial fishing boats near Loreto and in Mag Bay originated with US Customs at the border. Customs intercepted a shipment of dorado manifested as yellowtail.

It is against US law to import illegally taken wildlife.

woody with a view - 9-16-2008 at 07:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Don Alley
La Paz outfitter David Jones posted this on Bloodydecks:


http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/baja-mexico-fishing-report...

The busts reported here of commercial fishing boats near Loreto and in Mag Bay originated with US Customs at the border. Customs intercepted a shipment of dorado manifested as yellowtail.

It is against US law to import illegally taken wildlife.


THANKS BE TO ALLAH, that someone is on their toes....even if it means stinky fingers....:light:

however THEY busted them, WE'RE happy....