Pistoleros are Killing the bay

Dec 22, 2009

WATCH VIDEO

Pistoleros are killing the Bay of La Paz. About 6 years ago, while other methods of catching fish had rapidly declined night time spearfishing became the last productive method of killing large and profitable reef fish. 25 to 40 boats kill 3-5 tons of reef fish daily, that’s over 1000 TONS EACH YEAR. (Narrated in English) Read more

Hookah Permit Cancellations

Dec 15, 2009

La Paz markets checked for illegal fish (Hot Issues)

Dec 12, 2009

Maria Ugarte, Directora of Sea Watch Mexico and TV Azteca reporter interviews owners of local fish markets in La Paz for to be sure they are not selling illegal fish.
see pistoleros at work

Understand the law and report illegal fishing

Dec 11, 2009

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.

Barren Reefs Along Baja California Sur (Hot Issues)

Dec 9, 2009

WATCH VIDEO

The following videos were taken as baseline data showing the barren reefs around the lower gulf Islands in the Sea of Cortes. This short video’s purpose is to show you how barren the reefs are, due in large part to the destruction caused by Pistoleros and encerradores. Hookah divers are killing the reefs

Chasing Pistoleros (Hot Issues)

Dec 3, 2009

Liliana Gutiérrez Mariscal tells us what happened. “Around 8pm we received notification from the OC crew that they had detected a panga (small fishing boat) with pistoleros (spearfishermen) along with their catch up around La Gaviota…”

Complaints About Illegal Fishing Activities Were Published In La Paz Newspaper (Hot Issues)

Oct 7, 2009

Observatorio Ciudadano’s complaints have been presented to the people in La Paz on the local newspaper, requesting action from authorities against illegal fishing activities.

Plataforma attorneys have been working on lawsuits for all the illegal activities filled on the complaints report and will track them all until they are solved.

Watch the newspaper complaints

MIKELSON YACHTS named Sea Watch corporate sponsor of the year for 2009 (Hot Issues)

Sep 28, 2009

MikelsonYachts Their leadership in promoting sustainable fisheries in the Sea of Cortes puts them at the forefront of the boat building industry. Their award “Close Encounters” was donated by Scott Hanson of Hanson Studios. www.HansonStudios.com

Jerry Guthrie named Sea Watch man of the year for 2009 (Hot Issues)

Sep 28, 2009

For the last ten years Jerry has helped Sea Watch whenever asked. On two occasions he has traveled to Mexico to discuss projects and meet the people. This year when Sea Watch decided to fully fund the first citizen run vigilance program in La Paz, Jerry again came to México for the graduation ceremony and personally congratulated each of the new patrol boat captains and then donated the money to fund the program for the critical first 90 days. Jerry’s award “Harmony” was donated by Scott Hanson, world famous for his marine life bronzes. www.HansonStudios.com

Conapesca La Paz (Mexico's federal fisheries) "To some laws just don't matter" (Hot Issues)

Aug 14, 2009

The following shows the extent of the involvement by some in Conapesca La Paz (federal fisheries in La Paz) in backing and supporting illegal fisheries practices. But, for the first time in my 30 years here, the citizens are starting to take back the Sea of Cortes…