BajaNomad - Fishermen attack conservationists in Sea of Cortez

Fishermen attack conservationists in Sea of Cortez

BajaNomad - 1-4-2021 at 10:47 AM

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The conservationist group Sea Shepherd said Friday that two fishermen were injured off Mexico’s Baja California coast when they rammed their small boat into a larger vessel used by the group in efforts to protect the endangered vaquita porpoise.

The attack is the latest round in an escalating spiral of protests by fishermen who use banned gill nets in the Gulf of California, the only place the vaquita is found. Only as few as a dozen vaquitas are believed to remain, making them the world’s most endangered marine mammal.

Fishing nets confiscated by Sea Shepherd vessels are expensive, so fishermen often harass the conservationists’ boats to try to get them back. The fishermen claim they have not received compensation from the Mexican government for lost fishing income. Groups representing fishermen were not immediately available to comment.

Sea Shepherd said its vessel, the Farley Mowat, was pulling illegal gill nets out of the waters of the gulf, also known as the Sea of Cortez, on Thursday when people on a group of about a half dozen small, open fishing boats began tossing gasoline bombs at the vessel, setting the bow and another part of the ship afire.

The attackers also threw lead net weights at the crew, the group said.

It released a video showing one fishing boat approaching the Farley Mowat at high speed and slamming into the side of the vessel.

Two of the boat’s occupants were pulled from the water by Sea Shepherd crew members and Mexican marines, who usually accompany the crew on such trips. One was given resuscitation, because he wasn’t breathing, and both were taken by the navy to a hospital.

Mexico’s navy confirmed the injuries occurred in a “collision,” and distributed photos of the men being flown in a helicopter for treatment, but did not provide details on their condition.

Two other men boarded the Farley Mowat and threatened the crew and marines, the group said.

“This morning’s attack is the latest in a series of increasingly violent assaults launched against Sea Shepherd’s ships over the past month,” Sea Shepherd’s statement said. “Assailants have hurled Molotov c-cktails, knives, hammers, flares, bottles of fuel, and other deadly projectiles at the vessels, crew, and military personnel on board. No serious injuries have occurred prior to today’s incident.”

Sea Shepherd works closely with Mexican authorities on the net-removal effort, but fishermen have become increasingly unafraid of confronting marines and sailors.

The vaquita population has been dramatically reduced by illegal net fishing for the totoaba, whose swim bladders can sell for thousands of dollars in China.

https://www.borderreport.com/regions/mexico/fishermen-attack...

BajaNomad - 1-4-2021 at 10:53 AM

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/2-fishermen-injured-during-...

One fishboat was destroyed Thursday during an attack on vessels operated by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in an area of the upper Gulf of California designated as a refuge for the endangered vaquita porpoise, the society reported.

Crew aboard the vessel Farley Mowat were retrieving a gillnet from the water when fishermen aboard at least five pangas began throwing lead weights and molotov c-cktails at both the crew and military officials who were on board.

As the vessel began to leave the scene, the society said, one of the pangas swerved in front of it and smashed into the hull. The smaller vessel broke in two and its two passengers were thrown into the sea.

A second Sea Shepherd vessel, Sharpie, recovered the two men, who had been rescued from the water by one of the pangas, and took them aboard where they were given emergency first aid. Doctors with the Mexican navy arrived at the scene and treated the two, one of whom wasn’t breathing when he was brought aboard.

While the men were being treated, the society reported, two other fishermen boarded the Sharpie, threatened the crew and officials on board and smashed a camera that was filming the incident.

Other pangas threw projectiles and fuel, setting the Sharpie’s bow on fire.

The fire was extinguished and the two fishermen removed from the vessel.

The injured men were transferred to two nearby navy vessels and subsequently airlifted to a hospital.

The incident didn’t deter the fishermen, who have been at odds with government policy intended to protect the vaquita, of which an estimated 10 remain.

The society said they continued to attack the Farley Mowat with molotov c-cktails, setting fire to a pile of fishing gear that had been collected on the ship’s deck. On shore, meanwhile, a truck belonging to the society was set on fire.

One of the government’s measures is a prohibition on the use of gillnets in the protected area. But conservationists have long criticized the government for lack of enforcement.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is working with Mexican authorities to patrol the area and deter illegal fishing.

BajaNomad - 1-4-2021 at 10:59 AM

https://www.proceso.com.mx/nacional/2021/1/3/embarcacion-amb...

Uno de los pescadores fue atendido en la localidad de San Felipe, mientras que el segundo fue trasladado al Hospital General de Mexicali debido a la gravedad de las heridas. Finamente, el pescador falleció la noche del 1 de enero.

One of the fishermen was treated in San Felipe, while the second was transferred to the General Hospital of Mexicali due to the severity of the injuries. The second fisherman passed away on January 1st.

Tensions Escalate in Vaquita Refuge (Nov 2020)

BajaNomad - 1-4-2021 at 12:28 PM

From Sea Shepherd November 16, 2020:

PaulW - 1-4-2021 at 02:22 PM

I suppose related? Not sure about the exact timeline.
A road a large boat supposedly being serviced on the road next to the marine PMEX was firebombed along with two unrelated vehicles. Really Big smoky fire.

ehall - 1-4-2021 at 02:33 PM

https://youtu.be/VzrZrQ1KVjo another video

PaulW - 1-4-2021 at 04:14 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzD1pWee58E

BajaNomad - 1-4-2021 at 05:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzD1pWee58E

Same day, appears to likely be related. I know the above articles noted that trucks belonging to Sea Shepherd were torched on land.

Von - 1-4-2021 at 09:00 PM

No one deserves to have their boats burned, Really messed up. And

colliding into that Sea Sheppard Really? whats wrong with these people.

Unbelievable :wow:

Von - 1-4-2021 at 09:05 PM

So SAd like most animals on this planet. Im pretty sure the Vaquita will

be extinct in a hundred yrs. SAD very disappointing. :wow:

mtgoat666 - 1-4-2021 at 09:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaNomad

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzD1pWee58E

Same day, appears to likely be related. I know the above articles noted that trucks belonging to Sea Shepherd were torched on land.

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/3-injured-in-confrontation-...

seems to be shortage of peace, love and fish tacos in san felipe

BajaNomad - 1-4-2021 at 09:58 PM

https://twitter.com/Foro_TV/status/1345476545603895296

https://diariotijuana.info/instalaciones-y-unidades-del-sect...

https://thebajapost.com/2021/01/04/san-felipe-angler-died-3-...

https://thebajapost.com/2020/12/31/violencia-en-san-felipe/

https://elminutero.com/2020/12/31/instalaciones-del-sector-n...

https://cadenanoticias.com/regional/2020/12/la-secretaria-de...

Totuaba Poacher killed in collusion with F. Mowatt

caj13 - 1-4-2021 at 10:53 PM

from BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-55540506

advrider - 1-5-2021 at 05:39 AM

Von, sad to say but I don't think Vaquita will last ten years, if that at this rate.

caj13 - 1-5-2021 at 08:39 AM

and ramming a boat filled with guys throwing molotov c-cktails at your boat - Thats not fair, they should just go dead in the water and let the poachers burn their ship ! damn radical environmentalists

mtgoat666 - 1-5-2021 at 08:54 AM

i like sea shepard,... but they risk looking bad when it is a crew of mostly middle class europeans and americans on a large armored warship (surplus mine sweeper, funded by hollywood) vs local fishermen in beat up old pangas.

the sea shepard might win more points with locals if their crew was mexicans, eh?

(the sea shepard crew looks like it has many middle class kids on their gap year.)

With Friends like those ......................?

MrBillM - 1-5-2021 at 11:15 AM

He was killed by those he was in "COLLUSION" with ?

Ya just can't trust anybody.

AKgringo - 1-5-2021 at 12:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Quote: Originally posted by MrBillM

He was killed by those he was in "COLLUSION" with ?

Ya just can't trust anybody.

It's that F. Mowatt rascal. Widely known for her dastardly deeds and shady company. :lol:

Well caj13 is a teacher and would never post such an obvious mistake, so if there is collusion, Russians must be involved!

Would that be a left wing, or right wing conspiracy?

surabi - 1-5-2021 at 01:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

i like sea shepard,... but they risk looking bad when it is a crew of mostly middle class europeans and americans on a large armored warship (surplus mine sweeper, funded by hollywood) vs local fishermen in beat up old pangas.

the sea shepard might win more points with locals if their crew was mexicans, eh?

(the sea shepard crew looks like it has many middle class kids on their gap year.)

The Mexican military was also onboard the Sea Shepard. The Sea Shepard is doing this in co-operation with the Mexican govt, not just taking it upon themselves to interfere in another country. The Mexican govt. has laws against what these fishermen are dong with their illegal nets.

And I am grateful for the young people who volunteer to work with environmental warriors. What are you doing to help? Sitting at home behind your computer screen?

mtgoat666 - 1-5-2021 at 02:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

can you imagine what Texans and Louisianans would say if Sea Shepard was operating in gulf near-shore waters with mexican crew and armed US soldiers to police the shrimp fishing industry? :lol:

how about if european kids on gap year went to Utah to enforce livestock grazing regulations on BLM leased land? :lol:

how about if venezuelan college kids go to georgia this week to be poll observers? :lol:

del mar - 1-5-2021 at 03:03 PM

god I miss Death Tongue! :lol:

Santiago - 1-5-2021 at 03:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by del mar

god I miss Death Tongue! :lol:

BajaMama - 1-6-2021 at 10:29 AM

If this is the January 1 collision, Sea Shepherd posted video of it on FB - the panga rammed into the Sea Shepherd. It came at it nearly head on, made a hard turn and slammed into broadside.

AKgringo - 1-6-2021 at 11:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama

If this is the January 1 collision, Sea Shepherd posted video of it on FB - the panga rammed into the Sea Shepherd. It came at it nearly head on, made a hard turn and slammed into broadside.

It would be like passing a semi, then spinning doughnuts on the highway in front of it to force the truck to stop. Good luck with that!

BajaNomad - 1-6-2021 at 12:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Quote: Originally posted by caj13

from BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-55540506

"The man's family allege that his boat was intentionally rammed."

Quote: Originally posted by BajaNomad

BajaNomad - 1-6-2021 at 12:12 PM

See another look at the collision (from a different angle, with a little more lead time) on a video at the following link:

Quote: Originally posted by BajaNomad

https://cadenanoticias.com/regional/2020/12/la-secretaria-de...

elgatoloco - 1-6-2021 at 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaNomad

See another look at the collision (from a different angle, with a little more lead time) on a video at the following link:

Quote: Originally posted by BajaNomad

https://cadenanoticias.com/regional/2020/12/la-secretaria-de...

Seems he miscalculated his doughnut maneuver and the rest is history.
SOS

Hook - 1-7-2021 at 07:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

can you imagine what Texans and Louisianans would say if Sea Shepard was operating in gulf near-shore waters with mexican crew and armed US soldiers to police the shrimp fishing industry? :lol:

how about if european kids on gap year went to Utah to enforce livestock grazing regulations on BLM leased land? :lol:

how about if venezuelan college kids go to georgia this week to be poll observers? :lol:

All those examples bear no resemblance to this situation. Especially the last one, of course. Fish and Game wardens in Texas and Louisiana wouldnt be so derelict in their duties of ENFORCING EXISTING FISHING REGULATIONS, the way Mexico does. Make that DOESNT.

All of this could have been avoided if Mexican fishing authorities weren't so easily corruptible in the past. Simply enforcing existing regulations against illegal netting and the vaquita would probably be much more numerous than they are. And dorado. And marlin. And sardines. And shrimp.

But any person who has fished in Mexico or lived there for any length of time, knows this.

Person who only READ about Mexico from a news consolidator......not so much. :lol:

Hook.... wise words

thebajarunner - 1-7-2021 at 09:21 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

can you imagine what Texans and Louisianans would say if Sea Shepard was operating in gulf near-shore waters with mexican crew and armed US soldiers to police the shrimp fishing industry? :lol:

how about if european kids on gap year went to Utah to enforce livestock grazing regulations on BLM leased land? :lol:

how about if venezuelan college kids go to georgia this week to be poll observers? :lol:

Sadly, some on this forum would rather agitate than cogitate.
You are spot on with your observations.
The Mexican gov has no one else to blame but themselves for the destructive elements that they have allowed to corrupt this great natural resource.

BajaTed - 1-7-2021 at 10:40 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

DUH, Its a white dolphin :smug:

BajaTed - 1-7-2021 at 11:59 AM

A perspective;
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/opinion/el-golfo-de-santa-clara-...

Bajazly - 1-7-2021 at 02:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by elgatoloco

Quote: Originally posted by BajaNomad

See another look at the collision (from a different angle, with a little more lead time) on a video at the following link:

Quote: Originally posted by BajaNomad

https://cadenanoticias.com/regional/2020/12/la-secretaria-de...

Seems he miscalculated his doughnut maneuver and the rest is history.
SOS

Looks like the Farley Mowat was cooking along at a pretty good clip too, panga boy kind of blew it with the timing.

PaulW - 1-8-2021 at 06:11 AM

Destruction of the fishermen - lives and livelihood.
Time to give up on saving the Vaquita??

del mar - 1-8-2021 at 10:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Santiago

Quote: Originally posted by del mar

god I miss Death Tongue! :lol:

thanks for sharing that Santiago! remember how fun it was starting your day with Bloom County,Doonesbury, far side and the rest?......boy we could use some of that laughter today huh :no: