I was looking at some photos I took the other day and when I zoomed in on this panga netter I noticed the guy in the wet suit and weight belt.
This is not new by any means but I hadn't seen it here before. This goes way beyond bad. Herding a already devastated fishery into a net is just SICK!
Especially during the sponging season. Lots of flowery flowery words and phrases left out here folks. Sharksbaja - 4-26-2009 at 12:34 AM
Someone nearby knows this guy
JESSE - 4-26-2009 at 01:52 AM
Where was this?Pompano - 4-26-2009 at 05:37 AM
Russ, that's an umwelcome sight anywhere, especially out at Punta Chivato where I remember the countless fish we would see while snorkeling the rocky
shorelines... but now you know our pain in the BOC. This panga, net, diver combination has been going on for 35 years in Conception Bay that I know
of personally. Wait, that's not correct..it WAS going on for 30 plus years..it is not now, because there is nothing left...the Bay of Conception
conceives no more. The overfishing/netting has made it a cemetary. Sad..and mad. Russ - 4-26-2009 at 06:06 AM
This was at the south end of San Marcos Tierra beach and the just picked up as we arrived and headed for San Bruno. I was using a long lens with a x2
teleconverter so I had to manually focus. My friends pic is a lot clearer. So sad! I'm just sick with what has happened here in just the last 10 years
or more. 15 years ago when I move to Shell Beach I'd see sardines all year and catch fish from shore. No longer. Don Alley - 4-26-2009 at 07:01 AM
I've seen them doing this off Carmen Island, with an air compressor for the "hookah" diver. The use of compressed air is illegal for sport fishing,
but legal for commercial fishing. But that could change.
Please go to this link and support proposed changes to Mexico's commercial fishing rules:
One day in Muertos they came in with a boat so full, of big red snappers, there was no free board. The crew was in another boat.Russ - 4-26-2009 at 07:20 AM
Here's my fear/dilemma. I read the Seawatch info and agree with the part about the reefs and the pre-written e-mail. Since I am not a Mexican it could
be construed as political and there could be problems IF some one wanted to make a big deal of it. Any thoughts about my worries?Byron - 4-26-2009 at 07:44 AM
Russ, while camping at Punta Chivato about 14 yes ago I watched while a panga with a air hose diver with a flashlight and a spear nailed one after
another good sized fish in the rocks just off the point south of the camp site. Isn't this supposed to be illegal? Is it still going on? This was at
night.
[Edited on 4-26-2009 by Byron]Russ - 4-26-2009 at 08:23 AM
Here's a heart rendering video that I got from the Seawatch site that Don Ally posted. http://www.youtube.com/user/seawatch
There are areas, I believe, that this practice is illegal but without enforcement it will continue.
I think there was a thread last year that covered this but it is worth bring it to light again.toneart - 4-26-2009 at 08:41 AM
I saw this practiced a little south of the mine last Thursday...in broad daylight. The mine is around the point and south, from Mulege. These guys
drop nets and the diver maneuvers the net in a circle and traps the fish.
No hope for the sea
bajabillybob - 4-26-2009 at 08:50 AM
As non Mexicans,there is nothing you can do about this and it will continue until the Mexican authorities get a backbone to do something about it.
Is'nt it crazy that they will fine a gringo for digging up weeds in your yard but will allow these sea bandits to wipe out areas of the Sea of Cortez
because the culprits are Mexicans. Great people,nice beaches and an insane political system that can't get its head out of its a$$.
[Edited on 4-26-2009 by bajabillybob]Pescador - 4-26-2009 at 11:30 AM
Russ, I posted about this last year on the fishing reports, here on Nomads, and on bloodydecks. I took some really good quality pictures and went in
to the PESCA office in Santa Rosalia and was told by Martin, that everything is totally legal. That is not completely true, as Mexican regulations
totally prohibit using compressed air while spearing fish, but most of the pangueros do not spear any of these yellowtail, they just keep closing up
the net until they literally can scoop out the fish. It is bad enough that they are doing this to the yellowtail, but they are also taking everything
else that gets in the nets like cabrilla, parrotfish, and all the other reef fish that are up in the rocks where they are netting the spawning
yellowtail. We were at Tortuga last year and missed getting hit by inches when a panga was laying out the net on a batch of fish that was running
close to the rocks. They drop the big net at full speed in a circle when they spot fish coming in to the rocks, then the divers go over the side as
they move the net into the center a little bit at a time. In the old days they could not do this because they tore the nets up, but now with the
divers they are pretty much killing everything.
This has been the worst year I have experienced in terms of yellowtail fishing, which I have been doing since 1954 in Mexico. The Mulege tournament
had 30+ boats with fishermen who are pretty good fisherman and they managed 7 fish total for two days of fishing hard. Reports from Mulege to Santa
Rosalia have all been spotty this year with one good day and 5 bad days, which indicates that smaller schools of fish are transiting the area and if
you happen to hit a good day you may catch a fish or two but the other days there are simply no fish in the area. I attribute this to the continued
spring netting of spawning fish and it may get to the point where the yellowtail goes in the same way as the totuava.
I have all the seawatch stuff and have hoped that they might actually do something but they were pretty ineffective with Norma 29 which allows
longlining in close to shore. They have the potential to actually effect some change and have been working harder in the Loreto area where there is a
little more support for what they are doing but I have not really seen any major changes so far. Pam Bolles, Don Alley, Bill Earhardt, and others are
very supportive in that area.Russ - 4-26-2009 at 12:05 PM
Thanks Jim. It is so sad to see Fisheries officials in Mexico turning a blind eye the same as the US did. As you mentioned, there is a point of no
return. I believe we're very close. For the many that are scrambling to eek a living from the sea it is very sad. I hope things aren't as dismal as we
paint them here. There are even a few Nomads that believe the fisheries are still health. I pray they are right.Cypress - 4-26-2009 at 01:36 PM
Russ, Pescador, Pompano, Don Alley and many others. The gill-netters are killing the Sea of Cortez. You know it, I know it, and they know it. If they
stopped right now it would take 20 years for the local reef fish to recover. The pelagics come and go, but they're also being hammered. A short
seasonal fishery doesn't support a 365 day investment.
Yes we can
Sharksbaja - 4-26-2009 at 02:49 PM
I say we should all conspire to expose these varmits regardless of the legality or shall we say laws governing the fisheries.
Using places like this forum and untold many others is advantageous in regards to informing or otherwise exposing the raping and havoc taking place
with harmfuland destructive fishing techniques.
I really appreciate yours' and others willingness to actually do something tangible that may eventually fall on the eyes and ears of those who have
the power to take emergency measures, because that's what it will take to save the Sea of Cortes.
If more folks from either side of the border that care enough to speak up and this pattern continues and hopefully grows exponentially it's quite
possible that the forseeable future may bear fruit. That is if a concerted effort can sway the importance and priority that the situation currently
receives from the Mexican Govt.
I strongly advocate the use of the internet to consolidate the large amount of available information that is both current and historical for purposes
like saving a sea so important.
While I am remiss for not doing more, it's never too late to so. I will make a stronger effort to help perhaps in some small way but more
importantly, we as a collective argument have more teeth that may get some notice.
I strongly urge others to do so as well and I tip my cap graciously to those here who actively do something and give a damn. Good on them! There are
plenty out there that don't do squat and we need their help as well.
If we can put more pressure via the web let's do it. If you have photos or documents or information pertinent to the crisis occuring in the Sea of
Cortes I encourage you to share your stuff.
Thanks in advance. I don't believe we can't have influence. This thread alone speaks loudly. You think anyone mportant is watching? I do.Don Alley - 4-26-2009 at 03:59 PM
Today I visited an area restaurant that I haven't been to before. Fish served were cabrilla, perico and marlin.
Perico are taken by spearing, often at night, and in nets. Unsustainable methods. They are a staple in local restaurants. Marlin are supposedly
reserved for sport fishing.
Perhaps something could be done along those lines here? It could at least be a start at some local dialogue. The local sport captains don't seem to
want to take any action.
But the thought of being some local fishing activist...no way. Been there, done that and if they could have, they would have kicked me out of the US
(or at least Montana) and they CAN do that to me here.
it's mathmatics
mulege marv - 4-26-2009 at 05:23 PM
long liners + seiners + shrimpers + gill nets =
NO FISH = NO TOURISTS = NO DOLLARS !!!
pescador is right, 30 + boats fished the yellowtail tourney,
average 3 anglers per boat, and over a two day period
produced 7 fish. think about it, pretty sad, should be a "wake up call" but i doubt it.Russ - 4-26-2009 at 05:34 PM
I got this bit of good news from BD. http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/baja-mexico-fishing-report...
Although this news is a bonus for the bill fisherman it would help the all fisheries and raise conservation levels to a new level. It's something in
the right direction.Cypress - 4-26-2009 at 05:35 PM
Guess we're all yelling "fire" after the house has burned down. But with a lot of
help it can be rebuilt.htnfool - 4-27-2009 at 06:02 AM
Great article, But will they ever enforce it? I have heard of some license and bag limit enforcement in the Mulege area. Maybe they are starting to
get the big picture. But why are they picking on the gringo here. It's not the sportfisher that is killing the golden goose.BajaBruno - 4-27-2009 at 08:21 AM
I don't know the commercial fishing laws, but since I have still never seen a panga operator with even a sport fishing licence, it is hard to imagine
these guys are operating by commercial rules with a commercial fishing license.
It is, as we all agree, appalling that the fishery is being mauled, but can't PESCA at least enforce the commerical permitting process?
cb
Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
Russ, I posted about this last year on the fishing reports, here on Nomads, and on bloodydecks. I took some really good quality pictures and went in
to the PESCA office in Santa Rosalia and was told by Martin, that everything is totally legal.
flyfishinPam - 4-27-2009 at 08:38 AM
Hi there,
I agree with all the posts above!!
You can report everything to me or Eco Alianza Loreto. We are closely watching the goings on within our marine park this year and holding the park
responsible for their actions. Also we are closely watching PESCA and PROFEPA and we will hold them accountable as well. We are doing this on a
grass roots level in Loreto, but we will be happy to also include reports on illegal fishing activity anywhere in BCS.
I have some details in my current Loreto fishing report on what I am referring to off Loreto (areas highlighted in light yellow) http://www.bajabigfish.com/conv_report.html
Also here is our marine park page and the video of the hukah divers in embedded right at the top. http://www.bajabigfish.com/marinepark.html we are aware that there are problems and now we are in the process of resolving them.
As a private citizen and also as a person in the tourism industry, and as a member of the board and supporter of Eco Alianza Loreto, http://www.ecoalianzaloreto.org I am trying to do my part in conserving our natural resources. I understand the concern that foreign residents
and visitors may have in speaking out, so if you have these concerns then please feel free to direct your reports to Eco Alianza or to myself.
thank you for bringing up this important topic.flyfishinPam - 4-27-2009 at 08:47 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Don Alley
Today I visited an area restaurant that I haven't been to before. Fish served were cabrilla, perico and marlin.
what restaurant has marlin on the menu? I know of one north of town on the beach that had it last time I went but that was last year so will have to
check again.
I'm gonna put together a list of restaurants that do not serve marlin and highly recommend our clients and readers only eat at those. By example we
can convince them to change their menus.
I would like to also see if there's a way to source out the fish and seafood being served. I know that I had a discussion with the marine park about
this when it came to the subject of netted Yellowtail. They told me that nothing like that exists. I brought up having inspectors visit each of the
markets that buy the fish in our town and he discouraged me from pursuing it. I think its time to pursue it again.
We're (Eco Alianza) setting up a strategy to receive, record, and archive violations within the park that get reported by private citizens (like some
locals who read here). With the paper trail we will take legal action. All of the reports and documentation creates more evidence for our side. We
will prevail.
[Edited on 4-27-2009 by flyfishinPam]flyfishinPam - 4-27-2009 at 08:54 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Cypress
Guess we're all yelling "fire" after the house has burned down. But with a lot of
help it can be rebuilt.
my example is Puerto Escondido. That little place was literally netted to death until Singlar took over and kicked the netters out. After just under
a year sans netters, the fishing came right back better than ever. since then, (last June 2008) Singlar has closed the port to all fishing. I can
only imagine what's waiting in there for me now!! We can only fish the API waters where the netters have also been booted out. The fishing there is
goooooddd.....
Since I became a member of Eco Alianza I have mentioned this example and now studies will be made! At this point we're working on the Loreto Marine
Park's new management plan which will be decided in January 2010. Any study from PE regarding the fish recoveries after a long period of netting is
valuable information to be considered for the plan.
Our hope is that eventually our work in Loreto will get noticed and replicated elsewhere throughout Mexico.Pescador - 4-27-2009 at 09:07 AM
I think that Pam is right that there is some pressure in the area of Loreto but what seems to be happening is that it is just pushing the netters to
the north. They seem to be really active from Idelfonso to Tortuga. We do not see much activity north of Santa Rosalia because they have killed that
area off many years ago.
The military has taken a very strong position on checking all of the licenses and registration of all boats operating in the area and have even put
a damper on the local pangas fishing so I find it surprising that they have not put any kind of a damper on the netting (unless they are all legally
registered)
Last year I talked to several groups who were setting up to net and two groups were in fact from the Loreto area.Pompano - 4-27-2009 at 10:12 AM
Saturday afternoon, I passed 3 pickup trucks pulling pangas filled with gillnets headed north. We were just past the military checkpoint a few miles
out of Loreto.
Naturally, I can't say where they were headed to, or if they were in any way illegal or legal in thier endeavor. I suspect that marine life will
suffer no matter the situation.Russ - 4-27-2009 at 02:34 PM
Good on you Pam and all those involved. Sent some help for you.
[Edited on 4-27-2009 by Russ]Awatson - 4-27-2009 at 02:56 PM
When this crap will REALLY stop is when the price of fuel costs more than the fish they bring in. Unfortunate, but true, and not far off from what I
see.
They mostly get by on triggers and baby sharks from what I see on the mainland north of Guaymas. Below is link to a similar topic on the San Carlos
board. This guy is all oer them...just so hard to get anyone interested in enforcing anything.
I just did an interview with a film crew from La Paz that is making a film about our park, Loreto, development and tourism as well as the
environmental concerns. There are good people doing good things and I am hopeful that the people of this town can be convinced that the
environmentalists in town are working for them. We discussed the vision of enlarging the size of the park and creating new ones but I said that until
we can make the one we have now work, we shouldn't think of enlarging the responsibility of having new ones. If netting can't be controlled here
within a national marine sanctuary then how the hell can it be controlled elsewhere? So there is a LOT of attention being made on this park. These
are exciting times and we can set an excellent example. I WILL be requesting your help from time to time. Thank you for all your support.
But with a lot of
help it can be rebuilt.