Sunday, July 30, 2006
Fishing Beyond Limits
The other day in the bank I overheard a gringo fisherman bragging about his successful day fishing. He and his buddy bagged 17 Dorado. He was desparately trying to give fish away to anyone who would take it. "I have way more than I need." in his own words. Apparently he is unaware that there ARE limits to catches in Mexican waters. Not only because it's the law, but because it has been determined by research to maintain the species.
I agree with my friend John Henigan of Fish Rap Radio who says "Sport fishing will never deplete the species" Sorta true. Sport fishing ALONE will not deplete the species. HOWEVER, the fish populartion is underpressure from all sides, environmental, commercial and recreational fishing. In this year of good fishing, sport fishermen should use restraint. Practice catch and release a little more than you find comfortable. Call it a day when you have had a run of luck.
This last week a shrimper was caught with 8 tons of illegal Dorado in the freezers. It only takes 30 of the gluttonous fishermen in the bank to equal that bust. You would no sooner think of coming home with 17 deer strapped to the hood of your car. Why would you do it with fish?
Please, don't use the excuse "Everybody else does and how you gonna get caught anyway?" It is always up to each individual to police themselves, even when there are enough game wardens to enforce the laws. AS a responsible fisherman, you should take the opportunity to belittle the short sighted moron for taking more than his share. Make having fish for the future part of you efforts in having fish for dinner tonight.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Tropical Storm Warnings for Baja SurInformation on Tropical Storm Emilia
3PM MDT 07/25/06 THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO HAS ISSUED A TROPICAL STORM WARNING FOR THE COAST OF BAJA CALIFORNIA FROM BUENA VISTA TO BAHIA MAGDALENA.A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
03PM MDT 07/25/06 Tropical Storm Emilia is moving NNW just 155 miles SW of Cabo San Lucas. The storm is currently located near 21.8N 111.6W and is moving 340° at 11kts. Current estimated barometric pressure is 991mb and winds are 55-65kts, a tropical storm. Forecasts call for the storm to strengthen through the day today, and may verge on becoming a hurricane. By late tonight the storm should move over cooler waters and begin to degenerate.
Rain in Baja Sur is steady and widespread. Los Cabos is receiving rain and some wind. Scattered power outages have occurred. Roadways are wet and localized flooding may cause some secondary roads to become impassable. La Paz has received more than a inch and a half of steady rain since it began early Tuesday morning.
In Cabo San Lucas there has been intermittent rain and winds from Emilia since yesterday midday. It seems to hit hardest in Cabo Centro (downtown) with some mud and gravel being deposited on the main street along the Marina. People are already cleaning it up and they know there is more to come, but the merchants work hard to keep their stores clean and free of flooding.There are some roads that have gotten pretty messy from the lack of pavement and there is bound to be more as these squalls seem to keep coming. The surf is large and storm-like, so not good for swimming or surfing but the storm watching from the different bars and restaurants is really something to see. The temperatures are cool and with the just about continual breeze the humidity appears to be very low even though it is raining. Air conditioners are not really necessary, just a good fan or sit with a breeze and it is a very enjoyable climate.
So far the impact from Tropical Storm Emilia in Baja Sur has been limited to moderate rain and wind.
