Good News / Bad News

I've had a busy week and have not been able to post even through there is a lot to write about.

First the Bad News:
An article in the LA Times this week is reporting that the Shark Norma (NOM-029) was amended his month to allow up to 30% bycatch of species reserved for sport fishing. This awful law has taken a turn for the worse and uses shark fishing as a smoke screen to bring large ships into previously closed areas including the Sea of Cortez and strip mine the last viable populations of sport fish. Unless stopped this law appears headed to destroy the sport fishing based economy of Baja California Sur.

Bad News for Anglers and Game Fish in Mexico

But there is some good news out there:
The SeaWatch.org webpage is back up and provides a lot of valuable information in their fight to save the fish of Baja's waters. I recommend that everyone read this webpage, educate themselves, and support this outfit.

Mexico does not have to continue down the path to fisheries destruction. Belize recent made catch and release mandatory for bonefish, permit, and tarpon. For more information check out the This is Fly Blog. Belize is a small poor country but they see long term economic value of these sport fisheries.

The Economic Value of Sport Fishing

Tropical Storm Lowell has decayed into a troical depression, turned east and is now headed towards La Paz. It should provide some rain and not much else.

I just found this great study organized by the Bill Fish Foundation:

Socio-Economic Study Completed in Mexico: Sportfishing Brings in Big Bucks

The full report is available at:

The Economic Contributions of Anglers to the Los Cabos Economy

Para leer el resumen ejecutivo del estudio socioeconómica en español, por favor clic aqui.