Dear Undercurrent:
I just returned from a far-north to far-south Sea of Cortez trip on the Rocio del Mar, which you covered in your October issue. My impression of the Rocio del Mar’s crew is similar to your author’s positive experiences. However, my experience with the two dive guides was less impressive: mostly babysitting, Rocio del Mar is a very slow boat, reportedly with a top speed of eight knots!
The biggest difference between your article and my experience was in the diving. It has been estimated that 95 percent of original fish stocks are gone from the Sea of Cortez I was the only person who captured even one picture of a hammerhead, something this area used to be famous for. No mantas, no dolphins underwater (very few above), no whales. The few whale sharks we saw were small (only up to 20 feet), and the water in this protected park was so green that most gave up on photography. Yes, we saw an occasional shark as well as a large school of big-eye jacks. Multiple sea lion encounters seemed to “save” the trip for most. Several divers on the trip, as well as the dive guides, commented that there has been a steady degradation in the quality of diving over the years in the entire Sea of Cortez. Several divers, after visiting often for the past 20 years and experiencing this decline, did not plan to return.
– – Randy Preissig, San Antonio, TX
June 11, 2015
Since September of 2021, when our attorneys first petitioned the government to create large no take zones around Espiritu Santo National Park to facilitate reef and reef fish recovery, we have been building a dream team. A year later we have that team and a plan in place that is doing exactly that. To see the problem and solution. Click to view this short video...
Scott Hanson donated his popular 19" bronze limited edition sculpture "Smooth Sailing" that retails between $7,700 and $9,250 depending on the gallery. Buy one or more tickets here. But hurry as only 150 raffle tickets will be sold!.
Watch this video to see the evidence of the devastation caused by fish traps on reefs and reef fish over time. These traps are legal in Mexico and tragically in Espiritu Santo National Park. To learn more about fish traps and see the devastation they cause Click Here...
This video shows the entanglement of sea lions in fish nets and fishing gear in the Sea of Cortez. "Is this what we want in the Espiritu Santo National Park?"
Abstain from eating all fish that protect the health of the reefs including parrotfish and surgeon fish
Be our "Eyes on the Water" take photos, record positions, and send reports to the authorities
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