That's My Story

THE ROARING SILENCE OF BEING IGNORED

Originally Published the Week of July 15, 2007 in Western Outdoor News

The controversial Shark Norma laws that went into effect in May allowing commercial fishermen to come within 15 miles of the shore as well as indiscriminately take, kill and sell commercial fish such as tuna, dorado and marlin (not to mention turtles, sealions and rays) seems to be going nowhere fast on the political scene. However, at ground zero, the effects are difficult to ignore.

It has been almost two months since Cabo San Lucas was marked by protest marches and burning boats. It has been more than a month since delegates from Baja rushed their concerns and pleas to the federal government in Mexico asking for modifications of the Shark Norma plan which purports to save sharks, but realistically will devastate Baja’s sportfishing industry. Thousands upon thousands of letters and petitions have been sent to the Mexican government.

So far the word from Mexico City is deafening silence! Not a word. Not a howdy-doody. Not an acknowledgment that there’s trouble in River City or that Rome is burning.

In the meantime, here’s some snapshots from the trenches:

“For the first time in 25 years, my regular June fishing trip to Loreto was essentially a bust. Few billfish and few decent sized Dorado MAY have been caused by cooler than normal water temps, but I suspect that the commercial fishing fleets and Shark Norma 029 are really to blame. Specifically, I’m writing to tell you both that I actually caught them in the act at Punta Pulpito, 40 miles north of Loreto. They had virtually cleaned out the yellowtail by the time my panga (and three others) got there. Upon seeing us approaching, the commercial guys immediately recalled their six pangas back to the mother ship and weighed anchor. They headed south toward Loreto, but pulled into a bay and waited for us to leave. As soon as we did, they motored right back to Punta Pulpito and presumably resumed operations,” writes B. Summer, Las Vegas NV.

Ed Hoffman owns a place in Puerto Escondido. “The fishing here in Loreto has been terrible the last two weeks. We feel its is because of the long liners. Very few Dorado, Sails or Marlin are being caught in a 100 mile radius. . . I fished the tournament on Saturday. Did not get a bite but saw a lot of (commercial) floats. All 73 boats fished north and south up to 70 miles almost no fish.”

Fishermen vs. Fishermen. In the La Paz area, local commercial pangeros have allegedly been doing ninja work in the evenings cutting the valuable long lines of the big commercial boats who threaten the local fisheries. Reportedly the big commercials have retaliated by running over and destroying the buoys local fishermen use to attract dorado and sharks.

Off Chileno Beach east of Cabo, both the Mexican Navy and sportfishers were reportedly instrumental in chasing off an 80’ Mexican commercial boat that was laying it’s nets. There were some rumors that the sportfishers threatened to board it and burn it if it didn’t leave.

The Mexican Navy captured one commercial boat off the East Cape that had 3000 pounds of marlin and 4000 pounds of shark.

I don’t know, fish brothers. These are just the tip of what’s going on down here. The local political parties are denouncing the new laws as illegal and it seems the whole peninsula, rightfully so, has their underwear all bunched up. And still, not a word from the heartland in Mexico. Silence. Nothing like being ignored.

On another front. . .

CNN reports that the government has further eased the passport requirements after the FUBAR situation that was created this past January requiring EVERYONE to get passports. According to CNN, Homeland Security now says:

Travelers now have more time to gather the secure travel documents they will need at U.S. land and sea entry points when a new identification requirement plan is fully implemented.A requirement for U.S. citizens to show passports at land crossings into the United States from Canada and Mexico was scheduled to be fully implemented next January, but now will not go into full effect until summer 2008, the departments said.But the new plan includes a preliminary phase: Beginning Jan. 31, travelers will be required to present some form of government-issued photo ID at land and sea ports. New rules also will apply to residents of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda.Currently, U.S. residents arriving by land are not required to present any documentation, although driver’s licenses, passports and other government identification can greatly ease a traveler’s crossing.

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.