Cruisers to Help Enforce Fishing Regs

Like many longtime Mexico cruisers, Chuck Houlihan and Linda Edeiken of the Allied 39 Jacaranda get frustrated when they observe illegal fishing practices which greatly impact Mexico’s fragile marine ecosystem, especially since enforcement of existing laws is inadequate. But a new citizen-funded, citizen-manned vigilance patrol program called Observatorio Ciudadano (OC) encourages cruiser input. "It’s a small step," says Chuck, "but at least its a step in the right direction, and its working!"

Thanks to legislation passed last year, fishing with hookahs, gill nets, and longlines (in near-shore waters) are all now illegal in Mexico, and cruisers are now being encouraged to report law-breakers to authorities. In near-shore waters, such as the southern Sea of Cortez, the herding of fish by hookah divers is said to have decimated many reef areas. According to the conservation website SeaWatch.org, "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."

How can cruisers help? "The goal," according the SeaWatch, "is to get the cruising fleet in the Sea of Cortez and western mainland Mexico to help gather information on any hookah fishing and/or gill net and longline fishing on near shore reefs or rocky areas. Another important fishery being abused is the dorado fishery. Panga longliners are illegally taking fish reserved for sports fishing. Please report any of these pangas with surface longlines that you see. Pictures are very important."

Cruisers or vacationers may report violators via email, and their identity will remain confidential. The info gathered will be used to determine where there needs to be additional patrols, and to pressure government officials to enforce existing laws.

Reports should contain: 1) date and time; 2) your lat/long location; 3) location of observed illegal fishing; 4) type of illegal fishing; 5) type, color and Mexican ID number of vessel; 6) number of people onboard; 7) any specific identifying characteristics; 8) type of engine; 9) photos of vessel (critically important and can be submitted later when in WiFi range); 10) additional descriptive info.