Illegal Slaughter of Protected Sports Fish

In 2009 the possession of Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit was prohibited in Belize - except in the act of catch and release. And although this has been law for three years now, it seems not everyone got the message.

Disturbing evidence has surfaced with regards to illegal fishing of protected species in the area of Los Salones, Ambergris Caye.

Alyssa Flota of El Pescador and Wil Flack from Tres Pescados Fly Shop indicated that they have repeatedly notified the Fisheries Department – stating that to the best of their knowledge, the boat is a Sarteneja boat selling to the Corozal market – and has apparently been netting in the area over the past two years. Despite reporting to the Fisheries Department and the management of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve on numerous occasions it appears that no action has been taken.

LINK (Via: The San Pedro Sun)

El Oro de Cortez

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

While down in Baja last week Jeff from The Reel Baja tipped me off to this documentary concerning illegal Dorado fishing in the Sea of Cortez.

El Oro de Cortez is a documentary about illegal fishing in the Sea of Cortez. Through interviews with government officials, scientists and fisherman the filmakers expose the huge amounts, thousands of tonns, of Dorado that are illegally exported to the United States each year from the port city of Guaymas, Sonora Mexico. Also exposed in this documentary are the tremendous number of marine turtles that are shipped off to the black market each year due to the illegal fishing of Dorado.