BajaNews - 3-2-2009 at 12:10 PM
http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&am...
By Silvina Corniola
February 25, 2009
The Mexican Navy has forced the Spanish vessel ILA Panama to dock at the Bay of Ensenada and suspended its operation, after a local company filed
grievances against it for affecting its bluefin tuna fattening pens.
According to company Tunamex SA de CV, on 18 February, the IIa Panama trawled in the area of Soledad Bay and lifted sediment and other bottom waste
that caused suffocation and stress among its tuna stock, El Vigia reports.
The vessel factory owned by Spanish firm Novaoceano had been granted a permit by the National Aquaculture and Fishing Commission (CONAPESCA) to carry
out fisheries advancement (research) tasks supported by the National Fisheries Institute (INP).
The authorisation, which expires 15 April, does not authorise it to catch fish nor conduct any other type of trawling activity in bays and marine
areas shallower than 150m in depth.
After receiving a report to the contrary from the Port Authority, the Mexican Navy sent an intercepting boat to monitor the vessel and order it to
dock ; at the Bay of Ensenada.
The vessel is presently tied up awaiting as an investigation is underway to classify the irregularity and determine that the complaint made by the
tuna company is a valid one and warrants a sanction.
It is not the first time the vessel has been accused of transgression − several complaints have been lodged against it since its arrival on 30
January to Ensenada, fisheries subdelegate Jose de Jesus Gallo acknowledged when asked to comment on the conflict.
The vessel has been forcibly docked at the Port of Ensenada on two occasions this month alone.
CONAPESCA officials investigated and monitored the vessel on several occasions in response to fisher affirmations that the vessel had been casting
nets in the Bay of Ensenada without a permit.
The arrival of the Spanish fishing vessel to the port of Ensenada generated considerable unrest among local fishers, who have been requesting fishing
permits since 2007, to no avail.
Gallo justified the initial authorisation issued to the vessel in stating it had been undertaking research activities "along the stretch of the
Mexican Pacific" to asess stocks and general fisheries potential with an on-board crew of Mexican and foreign specialists.
This was eventually refuted by the crewmembers themselves, who deny any research had been conducted aboard.
I love Mexican hypocrisy.
Dave - 3-2-2009 at 04:22 PM
Bottom trawling by Mexican boats is legal but a Spanish flagged vessel ain't?
Sounds about right. I'm sure they just didn't know who to pay. 
CaboRon - 3-5-2009 at 08:06 PM
Is it still in the harbor ????????