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This newsletter highlights our new website that is going online today. It is geared up to keep you informed and current concerning the problems and issues that continue to threaten fisheries in the Sea of Cortes and to also keep you informed about potential solutions.
Mike McGettigan
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The Mildred and Helen seized with
13 tons of illegal Dorado.
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 Boat seizures by local Fonmar sponsored enforcement highlight the damage caused by NOM029-PESCA-2006 and the newly enacted 30% by catch regulation.
"The holds of these two boats working under Shark regulation NOM029-PESCA-2006 contained up to 83% protected Dorado"
Two recent pieces of legislation "NOM029-PESCA-2006 and the newly passed 30% by-catch regulation" are destined to destroy many of the pelagic fisheries of the Sea of Cortes. Under the guise of protecting sharks, NOM029-PESCA-2006 has allowed a large fleet of destructive longliners to fish within 15 miles of the coast, to target protected species like the Dorado and Marlin. At the same time, the new 30% by-catch regulation has legalized the capture and sale of these protected fish species Together, these two pieces of legislation will drive important sports fish species to the brink of extinction, permanently upsetting one of the world's most critical marine environments
READ THE ENTIRE STORY ON OUR NEW WEBSITE |
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“30% By Catch Regulation”
Legalizes the catch and sale of protected species, like billfish and dorado
CONAPESCA's own records show that the actual by-catch rate of longliners was over 90% in the years studied, from 1986 through 2003. The "30% by catch agreement" sets arbitrary by-catch maximums (like 4% for dorado, 7% swordfish, etc.), yet the regulations do nothing to enforce these maximums or reduce the actual by-catch rates that are over 90%.
The "30% by catch agreement", which recently became law legalizes the capture and sale of dorado and billfish, while allowing boat captains to self-report, using an honor system that simply trusts each commercial fishing boat captain to avoid targeting lucrative and protected sport species, and to honestly report by-catch levels at the end of each year.
Sea Watch: The shark norma was presented as an environmental regulation, but it was actually a tool for allowing longliners into the rich inshore waters of the Sea of Cortes. Similarly, the “30% bycatch agreement” does nothing to limit bycatch. Instead, it legalizes the catch and sale of protected species like billfish and dorado, creating lucrative new incentives to target sport fish.
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New Sea Watch website
We are also showcasing our new website that will be more dedicated with keeping the Mexican and International communities informed on the destructive practices that are killing the Sea of Cortes, as well as new programs being put into place to combat the destruction.
TAKE A LOOK at the site |
Email Us info@seawatch.org
www.seawatch.org