BajaNomad

Billfish Foundation study generates action in Mexican Senate

Bajaboy - 12-13-2008 at 09:41 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3760055&type=sto...

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A recently released economic study commissioned by The Billfish Foundation (TBF) on the billion dollar-plus annual impact sport fishing brings to Mexico's greater Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos region, has caught the keen attention and responsive actions of two of Mexico's senators.

Citing TBF's research on the value of sport fishing to the economy of Baja California Sur and all of Mexico, Senators Luis Coppola Joffroy and Humberto Andrade Quezada have placed upon the floor of the Mexican Senate an ambitious effort to utilize sport fishing as an economic development tool for all of coastal Mexico.

Of immediate importance is a proposal to amend Mexico's national fisheries law to specifically state that marlins, sailfish, swordfish, rooster fish and dorado are to be used exclusively for sport fishing and that these species may not be sold, even if taken as by-catch by commercial fisheries. Recent attempts by Mexico's fisheries agency, CONAPESCA, to establish liberal by-catch allowances for billfish, dorado and other species have drawn sharp criticism from sportfishing and conservation organizations.

"Once passed into law this clarifying language should prevent bureaucrats in CONAPESCA from ever again tampering with Mexico's historically profound sportfishing conservation regime," said Dr. Russell Nelson, TBF's chief scientist. The action was based off the comprehensive 126-page research study conducted in 2007 and 2008 to estimate the dollars, jobs and tax revenues created by anglers focusing on Baja Sur's "sport fishing triangle" showing the enormous effect sport fishing tourism brings to the area. The region includes the Los Cabos communities of East Cape, San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, all once small fishing locales.

In recent years, the region has become a major North American tourist destination driven heavily by its world-class striped marlin fishery. In turn, sport fishing has also become a major provider of jobs — over 24,000 — and has brought a huge revenue stream of dollars into Mexico's economy.

Nelson, along with Guillermo Alvarez, TBF's Mexican conservation director said information was needed to communicate the importance of the Los Cabos fisheries to its local, state and national leaders.

Headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., The Billfish Foundation works with governments worldwide advancing the conservation of billfish and associated species to improve the health of oceans and regional economies. It has been assisting in the Baja Sur region since 2002.

Besides Mexico's state and federal government officials, TBF President Ellen Peel said the report was distributed to industry and academic interests in Mexico as well. The results will also be presented before the national Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City in January.

The study showed in 2007, 354,013 people, most all of them international visitors, fished in Los Cabos. While there they spent an estimated $633.6 million dollars for lodging, charter boats, food, transportation, tackle, fuel, and more. These expenditures started a series of cascading economic effects in the local economy, creating: 24,426 jobs, $245.5 U.S. million in local and federal tax revenues, and $1.125 U.S. billion in total economic activity.

Additional benefits accrued were Los Cabos angler expenditures generating an added $145 U.S. million to Mexico's Gross Domestic Product; 10,469 additional jobs created elsewhere in Mexico and $75 U.S. million in taxes added to the federal coffers.

But the area has long attracted the interests of Mexico's "fishing mafia," and illegal foreign commercial long-liners and netters in the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) waters and Pacific Ocean coasts.

Nelson said 88 percent of international anglers who have fished in Cabo said they would be less likely to return if they knew the commercial harvest of billfish increased.

The report revealed the most targeted species of interest for sport fishermen were dorado (also known as dolphinfish and mahi-mahi) registering nearly 95 percent with a success catch rate of over 81 percent. Marlin were second at nearly 90 percent with a success rate of over 82 percent and tuna were the third most popular at over 86 percent with a 75 percent success rate among the 10 species listed.

Juvenile dorado and tuna are also part of the food chain for the migrating billfish. The dorado, a species that under Mexican fisheries law is supposed to be strictly relegated for sport fishing, has for years attracted the interests of illegal commercial fishing. A highly controversial new regulation — NOM-029 — allows for the "incidental" harvest of billfish, dorado and other species within Mexico's 24 year-old conservation zones.

Recent seizures of illegal dorado catches in double digit tonnage have also produced headlines in Mexican newspapers and attention to its commercial fishing mafia.

Multiple tons of the illegal dorado catches, intentionally mislabeled, have crossed into the United States by semi-tractor trailer trucks through Arizona (Nogales) and California (Tijuana).

"This destructively affects fishing resources and the millions in tourist dollars that also support sport fishing such as catch-and-release for striped marlin in the region," said Nelson.

"This has been an up-and-down year for TBF in Mexico," said Ms. Peel," but we have ended 2008 with a huge success. Dr. Nelson's work with our economic study and Alvarez's commitment to unyielding advocacy before the Mexican government has turned the tide."

"Senators Coppola and Andrade should be hailed as true leaders in Mexico as they both clearly see that promoting sustainable development based on carefully managed sport fishing tourism is an economic and ecological win-win situation for that nation," emphasized Peel. "These two men are fighting for the region's life blood that is within the marine waters of the region — to destroy this resource would be economic suicide to thousands of jobs in Mexico."

The Cabo research study was produced by Southwick Associates, Inc. of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Nelson Resources Consulting, Inc. of Oakland Park, Fla. and Firmus Consulting of Mexico City, Mexico.



The complete report (in English and Spanish), along with all survey results, is available online at the TBF Web site, www.billfish.org.

Russ - 12-13-2008 at 10:10 AM

Very good news! Now for a little action in this same direction from La Paz north would be nice. Once law enforcement side of this takes place in the Cabo area the fish mafia will just move north to do their dirty deeds. I hope someday that TBF will do it's magic here.

BajaBruno - 12-13-2008 at 09:12 PM

This might be a good opportunity for Mexico to take a lesson from countries a little south of them and require circle hooks for billfish while prohibiting any kills. Enforcement is much easier when there is a total ban on killing.

Osprey - 12-14-2008 at 07:28 AM

Bruno, in the charter sportfishing arena we all need the cooperation of the whole charter/tournament business. On the hundreds of charter boats down south here, when sight and or bait fishing for marlin and other billfish the marinaro, deck hand or captain present the bait, hook the fish up, then hand the rod to the client. They have all been trained to wait for the bait to be eaten, gulped down in the gut and gullet of the big fish before they set the hook. Better hope all the people on all the boats now know how to use a circle hook for lip catches to enjoy the fight but save the fish.

Dave - 12-14-2008 at 02:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Better hope all the people on all the boats now know how to use a circle hook for lip catches to enjoy the fight but save the fish.


While I favor strictly enforced limits for all species, I'd rather see the billfish commercially fished out than protected for a sportfisher's amusement. I oppose this ammendment and hope the proposal fails.

Catch and eat them. Don't release them.

Cypress - 12-14-2008 at 03:13 PM

Dave, They'll be fished-out by the sports crowd and/or the commercial boats.:no: Sorta like being killed by a bullet or a knife.:lol:

Osprey - 12-14-2008 at 06:39 PM

Dave, Cypress, what are you willing to donate to the people who last year, in Los Cabos alone, fed their families on the 630 million U.S. dollars that came their way because sportfishermen came down here to try to catch and release billfish? You're pretty cavalier in your attitudes -- you don't think it's good, you don't like it -- we get that. What else do you have to say?

norte - 12-14-2008 at 06:56 PM

Yes. But look who commissioned the study. Wouldn't be slanted would it?

Osprey - 12-14-2008 at 07:17 PM

yeah, you're right. Profit motive. No bueno. Damn gringo capitalists.

norte - 12-14-2008 at 07:26 PM

Hey. just keeping things honest, Little touchy aren't you.

Bajaboy - 12-14-2008 at 07:47 PM

Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that sportfishing benefits the Los Cabos region. No fish, no money....pretty simple to me.

zac

Dave - 12-14-2008 at 08:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Dave, Cypress, what are you willing to donate to the people who last year, in Los Cabos alone, fed their families on the 630 million U.S. dollars that came their way because sportfishermen came down here to try to catch and release billfish? You're pretty cavalier in your attitudes -- you don't think it's good, you don't like it -- we get that. What else do you have to say?


I'm just voicing an opinion about something over which I have zero control. I have no vote in the Mexican senate. No influence. What else could I say?

Congress

Osprey - 12-15-2008 at 07:52 AM

Please leave the Congress alone. Given too much info makes them prone to bickering.

mexicancongress.jpg - 46kB

Iflyfish - 12-15-2008 at 08:01 AM

I have little faith in human nature where natural resources are concerned and lots of faith in greed.

Iflyfish

Osprey - 12-15-2008 at 08:10 AM

You got it flyguy! This big fat report was to show the Congress they can make zillions more in tourism now and in the future if they protect their marine resources -- much more than the profits from selling all the fish in their jurisdiction to those who, if left alone to do it, might empty the SOC and all Mexico's coastal waters of every saleable living organism. Life is a circle -- a tradeoff. It is never fair. It now remains what kinds and how much greed will prevail.

Russ - 12-15-2008 at 08:43 AM

Man this went South FAST! I was hoping that there would be some hopeful discussions. Like, "WOW, that'd be really good for the area". I'm trying to think of some examples where regulations have worked in the past. Help?

Osprey - 12-15-2008 at 08:58 AM

There are some who would say the cod/pollock limits in the Bering Sea are working. The season is 50 days, once the boats reach their allowable tonnage, they stop fishing. The SOC could use that kind of conservation process but IFLY and others are right that in the past, so many efforts have failed in Mexico because of greed and/or corruption. I just send in a few bucks and tons of letters cause it's all I know how to do.

At what moral cost?

Dave - 12-15-2008 at 02:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
This big fat report was to show the Congress they can make zillions more in tourism now and in the future if they protect their marine resources --


I read the report.

I am shocked by the amount of money spent on what I consider torture. I don't expect a billfisher to understand and don't suppose there is anything I can do about it.

Sad. :(

Osprey - 12-15-2008 at 03:21 PM

I'm not a billfisher and I DON'T understand.

Dave - 12-15-2008 at 03:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
I'm not a billfisher and I DON'T understand.


Would you think the experience pleasurable for the marlin?

I don't oppose catching fish for sustenance.

But solely for sport?

That's cruelty. :mad:

Osprey - 12-15-2008 at 05:55 PM

Dave, you wouldn't for a minute indict all flyfishermen, bass tourney contenders and millions of other sportfishers around the world as people who take joy in hurting animals? Come on Dave. Who gave you the crown and scepter, made you the judge of all those folks?

Why obfuscate?

Dave - 12-15-2008 at 06:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Dave, you wouldn't for a minute indict all flyfishermen, bass tourney contenders and millions of other sportfishers around the world as people who take joy in hurting animals? Come on Dave. Who gave you the crown and scepter, made you the judge of all those folks?


Don't most of these folks either eat or give their catch to others?

And crown and scepter? Is that really necessary? I'm not issuing an edict. Just stating an opinion.

Osprey - 12-15-2008 at 07:16 PM

Don't most professional bass fishermen (millions in the U.S) or fly fishermen (even more millions) eat the fish? Is that your question? What planet do you spend most of your time on? NO THEY DON'T. Not one fish. They torture them all and let them go! This is my very last notice that it's slipping away from you Dave. I'm retired, don't work anymore so I have the time. U2U me and I'll catch you up on the reality of worldwide sportfishing -- it will sicken you and I'll feel soooo much better.

Russ - 12-16-2008 at 07:07 AM

I believe that the Mexican co-ops on the Pacific are doing a admirable job. But I don't have the facts. Only what Shari and some other friends tell me. If the fishermen in this area could organize and initiate a vigilante protection group here it might be a small step in the right direction. A problem is there are at least 5 calimari factories in this area now that have brought hundreds of pangeros from the other side. When the factories close or the price drops they fish to make a few pesos to live. It would be insane to tell those fishermen they can't fish an area that a co-op has designated as theirs. Always something:(
The next time I hear a tree scream because some freak is hugging it there's going to hell to pay:?:

[Edited on 12-16-2008 by Russ]

Pescador - 12-16-2008 at 02:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave

I am shocked by the amount of money spent on what I consider torture. I don't expect a billfisher to understand and don't suppose there is anything I can do about it.

Sad. :(


In order for your theory of torture to be valid and correct, you must assume that the fish has memory and can process the idea of a negative experience on the end of the line. That seems to be the same kind of thinking espoused by the PETA group. I have caught Marilin, brought them up to the boat for a release, tagged them before removing the hook, and then managed to catch the fish an hour later with the same tag. Now it might be a stretch to go so far as to assume that the fish was having such a good time that he wanted to go again, or he was really peeed and figured that the second time that he might win the battle, but my suspicion is that he was just being a fish and eating what looked like dinner to him, which was a resin cast plastic lure.
I do go so far as to get really angry when anglers pull a Marlin or Sailfish up on the back of the boat for pictures as they have just lowered the fishes chances of surviving the "so called release", but when handled properly with the correct equipment, knowledge of the angler, and sufficient strength line to get the job done effectively and effeciently, the wear and tear on the fish seems to be minimal.

Fished OUT

MrBillM - 12-16-2008 at 04:07 PM

Thanks to this thread for jogging my mind. Went to the market today and bought Swordfish for dinner.

Enjoy while you can before they're all gone.

Blame God. He shouldn't have made them so tasty.

norte - 12-16-2008 at 06:37 PM

Fish come and go. All this hype about people impacting them is just a Nomad board hysteria, If it wasn't for these netters the fish would all die and pollute the ocean!

If a tree falls in the forest...

Dave - 12-17-2008 at 01:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
In order for your theory of torture to be valid and correct, you must assume that the fish has memory and can process the idea of a negative experience on the end of the line.


I poke a dog with a stick. Is it necessary that the dog understand my motive?

Yum

MrBillM - 12-17-2008 at 01:20 PM

Last night's Swordfish was GREAT.

Today, however, is HAM with Honey Glaze. On sale for the season 79 cents lb. That's one of the great things about Christian Holidays. Lots of Ham on sale.

Pescador - 12-17-2008 at 03:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave

I poke a dog with a stick. Is it necessary that the dog understand my motive?


Has absolutely nothing to do with your motive, it has to do with the reaction of the dog. Some dogs probably think it is fun and they play, some have been clobbered and think it is something to be afraid of.
I just have a problem when animals are assigned human functioning and reasoning.

BajaBruno - 12-18-2008 at 01:41 PM

Dave has a valid argument that is shared, at least in part, by many. Not by me, certainly, but I appreciate his considered opinion anyway. Catch and release is, in some respects, torture of a very primitive animal; however, killing is forever.

We may be criticized for torturing the critters (though PETA would argue that most commercial farming practices are torture), but at least we are kind enough to let them go back to school afterwards. This is much the same difference as watching Roman gladiators vs modern boxing—we are participating in a form of torture either way, but the modern boxer usually gets to go home at the end of the night.

And Mr.BillM, your combination of subtle metaphor and barbarism in the same sentence was noted.

Dave - 12-19-2008 at 04:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBruno
Catch and release is, in some respects, torture of a very primitive animal; however, killing is forever.


Exactly. And when it comes to catching fish, killing is as it should be.

Anglers tell themselves that catch-and-release fishing is more humane and nature-friendly than catching fish and killing them. They're kidding themselves. Tormenting an animal strictly for enjoyment is never humane, even if the animal doesn't die.

I'm a hunter and casual fisherman. I don't oppose experimenting on animals. I have no moral objection to wearing fur or leather. I am not a supporter of PETA or its agenda.

But I believe catch-and-release fishing is cruel.