Mission
Quickly help the Government make sound management decisions by delivering accurate fisheries information to counter commercial misinformation. Help them develop sound fisheries policy and most importantly provide a working framework for civil vigilance. Currently there is no political will to do what is necessary to save the Sea of Cortez. Government officials are overwhelmed by depleted fish stocks, commercial interests and the fear of civil disobedience.

	Work with Government to:
	1.	Put in place a responsible shark norma to include
	2.	A ban on all drift gillnets in all Mexican waters
	3.	A moratorium on all large and medium sized longliners until environmental impact studies that were mandated 7 years ago are completed. Then assuming stocks allow fishing, these boats must be kept outside the 50 mile conservation zone and out of the core management areas.
	4.	A season closure from May 15- August 15 must be implemented for all sharks.
	5.	No pelagic longline fishing in Pangas less than 10 meters within 30 miles of the shore.
	If the government is not immediately willing to address the shark norma in a responsible way as outlined above, there is almost no chance to reverse continuing fish stock depletion in the Sea of Cortes.
	6.	Monitor fishing effort through VMS (vessel monitoring systems) and an unbiased observer program on all large longlines and tuna seiners.
	7.	Put in place the laws needed to control illegal fishing, monofilament nets, fish traps and set up the vigilance needed to enforce those laws. An experimental program Guardianes del Mar will soon be tested in BCS. It will be tested there because BCS has some fisheries resources still marginally in tact, a committed governor and an economy dependent on tourism not fisheries. The Guardianes inspectors would be funded by the sale of fishing licenses and would report to a private and state council.

Background
The commercial fishing interests in Mexico have been setting the fishing agenda since 1949. They (like everywhere else in the world) are a strong, well-financed political and activist body ready to fight for their livelihood and investment to the last fish in the sea. With over 90% of the large fish gone ( Myers-Worm study) they have been very successful.

Presently, the sports fishing industry, tourism industry and the conservational interests in Mexico and around the world have no strong, well financed and equally dedicated body to counteract the media blitz, faulty science and often erroneous claims made by the commercial fishing interests and the scientific arms they control. If the commercial interests can hold the status quo by utilizing good propaganda, bad science and demanding more studies, they win. There needs to be a group of equal strength and conviction to counter their efforts with sound information and good science.

What We Do
The Alliance for the Sea of Cortez organizes those groups, businesses, and individuals interested in the conservation of the Sea of Cortez, identifies practical solutions for it’s continued economic and environmental viability, and communicates to the media, the public, and government. Specifically, Alliance Mar de Cortez:

A.) Organizes Stakeholders
The coalition seeks to identify and recruit those concerned with the future of the Sea of Cortes. That includes - but is not limited – to:

	• The Tourism Industry
	The value of a shark killed for it’s fins is approximately $100; the value of a live shark to local tourist-related business is $3,500, each year. Hotels, restaurants, rental car companies, travel agents, and those that service these industries will all be devastated if the Sea of Cortez becomes devoid of wildlife.
	• Recreational Sports Industry
	Other interested groups include those directly providing services to tourists interested in appreciating the Sea of Cortez and it’s marine life. Those include sportfishing, diving, sailing, and kayaking companies.
	• Non-Governmental Organizations
	Many non-profit groups are also actively involved in preserving the Sea of Cortez. This coalition provides an important forum for such groups as Sea Watch, WWF, The Billfish Foundation, Amigos del Mar, Pronatura, and others.

Because most of the fish that remain in the Sea of Cortez are found off the coast of Baja California Sur, this state is the primary, though not the only, area of focus for the Alliance.

B.) Coordinates
The Alliance provides a mechanism to generate ideas, manage work flow, avoid overlap, and communicate a focused, unified message.

C.) Raises Awareness
The coalition publicizes the over-exploitation of the Sea of Cortes through all available media outlets.

D.) Recommends Reasonable Policy Solutions
The coalition works closely with scientists and government to develop reasonable policies aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Sea of Cortes. Currently, the coalition is actively involved in three policy areas: Shark NORMA, Gillnet Ban, and VMS.

Why We Do It:
The coalition exists because a divided opposition is easily defeated. With that in mind, CSC aims to unite conservation stakeholders behind a few, core messages and by doing so, present a reasonable alternative to Canainpes. Not an easy challenge considering we are eleven offices and fifty-three years behind. Currently, when a bill or regulation is proposed, the powerful commercial fishing lobby is able to meet with officials, buy media coverage, and spread misinformation - often on the same day. If the Sea of Cortes is to survive, conservation interests must present a united, reasonable, and powerful alternative.

Who Should Join

To find out how to get involved in the coalition, send an email today to alliance@seawatch.org