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Understand the law and report illegal fishing

Read Sport Fishing Regulations 2009
Read Commercial Fishing Regulations 2009

EYES ON THE SEA

How many times have you been in an anchorage and seen the pangeros come in with their hookahs and then watch them circle the edges of the bay harvesting fish by driving them into gill nets placed on the reefs or seen their boats at dusk and heard the compressors running at night as they harpoon sleeping fish on the reefs? Both of these types of fishing are now illegal in Mexico.

Mexican waters, including the Sea of Cortez, have experienced a catastrophic reduction in fish numbers and species over the past few years. These destructive fishing methods target all REEF FISH and became the most effective way to destroy the remaining reef fish over the last several years. They utilize hookah divers who string nets on a reef and drive fish into them during the day and another set of divers who use harpoons at night to kill sleeping reef fish. Small reef fish have almost disappeared in some places. It is estimated that 90% of the reef fish are eliminated by this means of fishing. Today, the fish count is at a dangerously low level and on the verge of collapse.

Watch this Video

In May 2009 an important regulation affecting the waters of Mexico was passed that could change this situation. The use of hookahs has now been outlawed for any type of fish extraction. (Mexican regulation Norma 064-2007 4.1.15). In addition, the use of nets on reefs or rocky areas is also banned (Mexican regulation Norma 064-2007 4.1.12). Hookah permit cancellations

These new regulations set the stage. Now what about enforcement? In La Paz, a unique program called Observatorio Ciudadano (OC) is the first citizen-funded and citizen-manned vigilance patrol program in Mexico; it is already being heralded as a model for other areas of the country. A rapidly expanding group of Mexico’s most influential NGO’s, local government officials, and a number of Mexican lawyers have teamed up to tackle environmental and fisheries issues and enforcement in the southern Sea of Cortez. An OC patrol boat and seaplane currently patrols the area of Bahia de La Paz and the lower gulf islands and a second boat has just been funded to patrol Bahia Muertos and Isla Cerralvo. Importantly, the OC organization has the strong backing from the sport fishing industry, the hotel association, and a growing number of local Mexican fishermen. They are drawn together by the belief that sustainabilty is essential and the realization that the current trend of harvesting will lead to disaster for the Sea’s fish populations.

Learn more about Observatorio Ciudadano

Observatorio Ciudadano’s efforts have already produced results. Over the past 3-4 months, hookah fishing has just about been eliminated in the Bahia de La Paz area and most of the illegal fishermen have been stopped. Of the original ~ 30 boats fishing with hookahs, only one or two remain! When an illegal panga is identified, a report (called a denuncia) is filed with the authorities; officials have to act on this report or face the possibility of a lawsuit brought by OC for not carrying out their responsibility as a public servant.

Recent surveys of the reefs on Islas Espiritu Santo and Partida indicate a noticeable increase in reef fish since the program was started. It will take years to allow these reefs to heal themselves but a giant step forward has been made.

This unique program is now being expanded to cover the areas between Bahia de La Paz and Loreto; the long term vision is to cover the Sea of Cortez with this type of citizen funded and manned vigilance program.

How can you help?

The goal is to get the cruising fleet in the Sea of Cortez (between Cabo and Santa Rosalia) to help gather information on any fish extraction with hookah and/or the placement of gillnets on reefs or rocky areas. Another important fishery being abused is the Dorado fishery. Panga longliners are illegally targeting Dorado reserved for sports fishing. Please report any of these pangas with surface longlines that you see. Pictures are very important.

Think of “Eyes on the Sea” as a neighborhood watch program.

The information gathered will be used to determine where there needs to be additional patrols and will also be used to put pressure on government officials to enforce the laws. On-site data collecting via email will provide a huge step forward in identifying areas of concern.

If you see any fish extraction utilizing hookah or gill nets on reefs or rocky areas or long lines targeting dorado please report it. Sadly, Mexico has current legislation before congress that will legalize the commercial long lining of dorado. Hopefully, your pictures and reports will help defeat this legislation.

10 most important points of information to collect and send in via email:

1.Date & Time
2.Your Location including Lat/Long . For example Ballandra, Isla Carmen plus Lat / Long
3.Location of observed illegal fishing. For example 1/4 mile S of the anchorage
4.Type of illegal fishing: With Hookah, Gil Net or Long Lines on a reef or rocky area.
5.Type, Color and Mexican ID number of vessel- Matricula- (located on the side of the Panga or vessel)
6.Number of people onboard
7.Any identifying characteristics. Engine covered with orange Tee shirt, blue shade cover, etc.
8.Type of engine: Yamaha 150hp, etc
9.Photos of vessel (Critically important and can be submitted later when in wifi range)
10.Additional Info: Any other items that maybe helpful. Example: Hookah compressor is visible, etc

Please send the above information to: eyereports@gmail.com or fill out the online reporting form below

You will receive a confirmation email that it was received. A reference number will be assigned your report and sent to you. Your email address will then be removed from the report for security purposes. If you do have photos you can email them using the reference number supplied. If you want follow up information, note that, and it will be sent to you within 30 days. We will keep your email only by reference number.

For further information please have a look at www.seawatch.org (Selected by Rolex Awards as top 100 ecological projects worldwide)

Read Sport Fishing Regulations 2009
Read Commercial Fishing Regulations 2009