Threat to Sport Fishing

Cabo San Lucas is recognized in the world of sport fishing as being one of the best places on the planet to fish. In an article written by Charlie Tuna (I am not making this up) for the Gringo Gazette he brought to light some worrying news for both the charter providers and the sport fishermen and women. For the last 20 years billfish, which includes marlin and sailfish, dorado, tarpon, and roosterfish have been regulated as sport fish in Mexican waters but in May of 2008 a new directive openned some loop holes.

Effective this new legislation allows commercial fishing to retain any sport fish caught while fishing for non-sport fish. The risk of these 'accidental' catches of sport fish, in particular dorado, which is highly profitable is going to impact sport fishing in the Baja. There is political action being taken to introduce a new bill to close the loop holes and ensure the fish stocks are conserved but this bill is meeting opposition form some politicians and the commercial fisheries.

Sport fishing is attributed with providing just over 24% of the total economy of Los Cabos. A study by Southwick & Associates (www.southwickassociates.com) revealed that 354,013 people went sport fishing in Cabo in 2007. The vast majority of whom were international visitors who spent an estimated $633 million on lodging, food, transportation, charter boats, tackle, fuel and other services. Clearly any impact on sport fishing that is negative could be devastating to Los Cabos

With the Mexican Government now committing funds to promote Mexico as a tourist destination after the difficult times it has suffered with the H1N1 Influenza outbreak it sounds as if there is a greater realization that sport fishing is a critical component to attracting tourists to Cabo and other destinations in Mexico. Personally I hope that the economics will aid Senators Andrade and Coppola who are the advocates for stricter conservation.