Under Mexican law it is illegal for longliners to fish commercially within 50 miles of the coast of the Sea of Cortes. Though this ban was passed to preserve these rich waters for sportsfishing - an activity that brings great benefits to coastal communities - commercial interests have circumvented the law.

Background

In 2000, Shark NORMA-029 was created as a mechanism by CONAPESCA to allow longliners to come within the 50 mile no-fishing zone by issuing "shark permits" under new regulations for shark fishing. This permit would allow these longliners to keep all bycatch, including sportsfish, such as marlin, dorado, sailfish, wahoo etc. The Shark NORMA-029 or "regulations for sustainable shark fisheries" were in essence a license to break the law, and would have further depleted the already devastated fisheries.

In 2001, SeaWatch helped videographer and producer Armando Figeredo make 24 special TV reports for Televisa (one of the world's most-watched television stations). Televisa brought their morning news team to Baja for one week, and every morning the news was dedicated to stories condemning the Shark NORMA regulations. Advertisements were placed in the major Mexican newspapers demanding Shark NORMA be stopped - SeaWatch, along with other conservation groups, spent $60,000 US publishing an open letter to President Fox, explaining to him the problem with Shark NORMA and how he could intervene. Much more impressive was the overwhelming roster of high-profile signatures below the open-letter. Among the scores of names and organizations were the cream of Mexican business, society, academia, government, even a long list of commercial fishing cooperativas from the Alto Golfo.

As a result of this media storm, President Fox told Secretary Usiabaga, the Minister of SAGARPA, to urge the Senate to cancel the NORMA. On October 11, 2002, the senate cancelled the NORMA and ordered that it be modified.
Modifying the Shark NORMA
Now, a new Shark NORMA must be drafted, and keen attention must be focused where it is most critically needed.

	-	1. Enforce existing laws. For example, no commercial long lines 50 miles from the shores of the Sea of Cortes and 15 miles from the Revillagigedo Islands,
	-	2. Ban all gill nets in the Sea of Cortes.

SeaWatch, along with Iemanya, the Billfish Fund, Amigos Del Mar, and other conservation groups are urging the modification of the existing legislation contained in Shark NORMA 029 because:

		1.) the legislation is still alive and could be passed at anytime
		2.) it contains some positive elements and
		3.) it will be easier to change existing legislation to be acceptable for sustainable management rather than oppose later if it passes.

In late May 2003, Iemanya hosted a Scientific Conference regarding sharks and Shark NORMA in Guaymas with world-renown scientists in attendance.
At the conference, the group decided that the following modifications must be made to the Shark NORMA -029 in order to ensure a sustainable Sea of Cortes.:

		1.) Pelagic drift gill nets must be banned in the EEZ
		2.) Medium size 10-20 meter long-line with 900 hooks must be removed from the 50 mile zone
		3.) Large size vessels 20-meters or more long-line with 1,500 hooks must be removed from the 50 mile zone and core areas
		4.) The J hook type must be banned; only the circular should be accepted as this reduces the sea turtle and billfish catch.
		5.) A closure season from May 15- August 11 must be implemented.
		6.) No pelagic longline fishing in Pangas less than 10 meters 30 miles out to shore.*

The original Shark NORMA was stopped because so many people were willing to stand up for what they believe in and tell the politicians - and even the President - they did not want the Sea of Cortes to be destroyed. The modification of Shark NORMA is another chance for those who care about the future of the Sea to help determine its outcome.

To find out more about the latest Shark NORMA contact SeaWatch.

* The members of the conference decided pelagic longlines should be banned 15 miles out to shore, but SeaWatch maintains that 15 miles will allow the riberenos to take much of what is left.