The following videos show the barren reefs around the lower gulf islands in the Sea of Cortez and explain what happened. These short videos show you how barren the reefs are and why. A large part of the destruction has been caused by pistoleros and encerradores. Since the reef cleaning grazers, parrotfish and surgeon fish have been eliminated the reefs around La Paz are no more than dirty algae covered rocks with no soft corals and no fish.
The reefs are without fish in general and in particular the two critical fish needed for healthy reefs, Parrotfish and Surgeon fish that eat the algae and in the process scrape off the dirt that covers the rocks. The main reason the reefs are without fish is due to two types of illegal fishing: pistoleros and encerradores. See the video below to really understand the damage they have done. It started in the mid 1990’s.
These practices are now illegal as a result of a new regulation recently published in DOF (Diario Oficial). The new regulation added in norma 064 bans nationally the use of hookah and any form of compressed air for fish extraction. SeaWatch, Director and attorney Maria Ugarte, in 2009 sponsored and got a new federal regulation in Norma 064 passed prohibiting the use of hookah or any source of compressed air for fish extraction. While in effect since 2009 in BCS it took the Federal Government until Feburary 2015 to publish it in the DOF.
November 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!.
Where there are fish of any commercial value, fishing interests will find a way to take them.
In 2019 and 2020 with the legalization of fish traps in the Espiritu Santo National Park (banned in most other places 30 years ago) it became clear that where there are fish, fishing interests will find a way to take them. Read More...
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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