11-15-2015, 11:51 PM
Jc Sportfishing Weekly Fish Report.
As the Admiral Seas It
Fishing Report: 11/8/15 to 11/16/15
Stop By Our Office for up to Date Fishing Report.
Sportfishing Conservation Info Inside!
Good Numbers of Striped Marlin!
Roosters being Landed Close to Shore?
Some Tuna Still in the Area!!
Sailfish Fishing Holding its Own!!
Grouper and Snapper Fishing Always Good!!
Inshore Action on Small Dorado!
Wahoo Fishing Really Slow!!
JC says: Im Feeling a Little Sick this Week?
Fish Report Boy says: JC Sick, that Sniffling Panzie!!
Chris screamed: JC Sick, What does my Friend Have?
JamieB says: Chis, Should I call an Ambulance for JC !!
Darrell says: JC, the Clowns a Hypochondriac!!
The Brits say: We think JC has Mad Cow Disease? JC,s Baja Mojito Del Sol Drink Inside!
2 English Baja Recipes Inside!
JC,s Grilled Dorado with hot sauce beurre blanc?
!
JC,s Baja Shrimp Ceviche!!
HEADLINES: November 16, 2015
Fish Report Boy says: “ I would like to straighten out a few things about JC. We all know JC has a wild imagination and can stretch the truth a bit about some of the things he has accomplished and you guys all know the ups and downs me and JC have had over the years, but JC does have a good side that needs to be told and that is “JC TAKES CARE OF ALL HIS CLIENTS AS IF THEY ARE FAMILY”If you want a great Sport Fishing charter and adventure while you are in Cabo you have come to the best Sport Fishing operation in Los Cabos. Fish Report Boy went on to say: JC has 20 years operating in Mexico and has always be true and honest about all charters with his customers. There is no hidden secrets with JC Sportfishing and no uncalled surprises. If you want to have the best experience while you are Cabo you should call JC or go to his website and through the contact form on the reservations page you can ask any questions you may have and you also can actually book a charter from the website with Pay Pal.
JC,s LEGEND and LIES will continue next week!!!
Jc Sportfishing Charters is a family owned and operated business and has been fishing in Cabo San Lucas for the past 18 years. Jerry, explains that his charter business is geared more for families and novice anglers, making sure everyone who charters a boat with him have a great time and lots of fun. We welcome families, and groups. We want everyone who fishes with us to take all the sites in and have a memorable experience. This is what is most important to us. We have and do a few tournaments each year and can cater to fisherman who might be interested in tournament fishing. Well lets get on with the fishing report for this past week.
WEATHER: : Now we are starting to see it cool down some as nights and daytime temperatures have been getting cooler and not as intense as they were. The last couple days especially have been cooler at night with a nice breeze coming in off the Pacific. I think we are seeing some change after a long, hard and long summer, not to mention the hurricane. Highs are in the mid 80,s and lows in the ladder 60,s which is pretty normal for this time of year, but last year it seemed to stay warm all year. Anyway, its pleasant and I think you will all enjoy this weather if you come on down and experience it yourself
WATER: Warm water still lingering in our area a I noticed on the tembreak map it looks like there is pockets of the warm stuff still up there in some areas on the pacific side. Up as far north as the Finger Bank and south to Golden Gate and San Jamie banks. Whatever The case that warm water has been good for fishing. This link which will show you water temperatures for the southern half of Baja. http://www.tempbreak.com/index.php?&cwregion=cb
BILLFISH: Good numbers of Striped Marlin up and around Los Arcos with good numbers also at the Light House, we have been drifting bait at about 200ft or so using downriggers. It has been pretty consistent for the last month on these 2 species so we really cant complain. Most charters will hook into some type of Billfish. If you go up and head toward the Margarita area, about 2 miles offshore, you will run into some Sailfish and Striped Marlin. We had lots of luck using lures and live bait their.
DORADO: Dordo fishing has stayed pretty good all week. Seems like some of the Dorado that were in Mag Bay last week might have drifted down our way and we are doing good at landing some.
SWORDFISH: Hasn't heard of any caught this week.
WAHOO: The Wahoo fishing has slowed over the past week with really not the numbers we were seeing but still ok.
TUNA: Scattered schools of Tuna this past week and most being landed were football size fish. The Tuna seiners were still in the area and the catches weren’t especially good with the tournament last so it wasn’t an exciting week for Tuna this week.
INSHORE: The pangas have been doing really well inshore for Dorado and even the Wahoo fishing has been good tight to the beach. The productive areas are from the Solmar all the way to the Pump House. Some Roosters reported landed in the surf and I did hear reports of a few Grouper and Red Snappers being caught close to shore in about 50ft of water using cut bait.
From The Admirals Kitchen!
Grilled Dorado with hot sauce beurre blanc?
Use this recipe and make it tonight! Hot sauce is a natural condiment for fried chicken and even oysters, but chef Hugh Acheson will deepen your appreciation of it. A good hot sauce, he says, “adds acid and nuance to things – that vinegary pucker thing I like.” At his Atlanta restaurant, Empire State South, his crew even makes a house hot sauce, fermenting barrels of pulverized peppers and salt and later topping off the pungent brew with some cider vinegar. You’ll find plenty of use for the bottled kind, too, especially in rich, creamy sauces or dishes that already need a punch of acid. An ingenious example: Acheson’s tweak to the Frenchiest of fish sauces, beurre blanc, from his cookbook, A New Turn in the South (R387, kalahari.com).
Ingredients
1 cucumber, seeds removed, thinly sliced
3 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
1 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, minced
3/4 tsp Maldon sea salt (or other flaky sea salt), divided
1 shallot, minced
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 tbsp spicy sauce
115g cold unsalted butter, cubed
4 dorado fillets (120g each)
Freshly cracked pepper to taste
4 lemon wedges
Do this now
1 In a large mixing bowl, toss the cucumber with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, the parsley, and 1/4 tsp salt. Set aside.
2 In a small saucepan, heat the shallot, vinegar, and remaining 1 tbsp lemon juice on medium until reduced to 2 tbsp. Add the hot sauce, lower the heat to a bare simmer and begin whisking in the cold butter; incorporate each cube completely before adding the next one. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt and keep it warm in a water bath (a metal bowl set above a pan of simmering water).
3 Set the oven rack so it’s 15cm from the grill. Heat the grill and brush a sheet pan with 1 tbsp olive oil. Season the fish with the pepper and remaining sea salt; drizzle the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over the fish. Place the fillets on the pan and grill until they’re just opaque at the centre, 3 to 5 minutes each side.
4 Arrange the cucumber on a platter and place the fish on top. Drizzle with the beurre blanc and serve with lemon wedges.
Makes 4 servings
JC,s Baja Shrimp Ceviche!!
INGREDIENTS
• 2 quarts water
• 1/4 cup kosher salt
CEVICHE
• 1 pound raw shrimp (21-25 per pound), peeled and deveined
• Juice of 2 lemons
• Juice of 2 limes
• Juice of 2 oranges
• 1 cup diced seeded peeled cucumber (1/4-inch dice)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
• 2 serrano chiles, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 cup diced seeded tomato
• 1 avocado, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon roughly chopped cilantro leaves, plus more leaves for garnish
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
PREPARATION
1. Combine water and 1/4 cup salt in a large saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Add shrimp and immediately turn off the heat. Let the shrimp sit until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes.
2. Chop the shrimp into 1/2-inch pieces and place in a medium nonreactive bowl (see Tip). Add lemon, lime and orange juice. Stir in cucumber, onion and chiles. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. Stir tomato, avocado, chopped cilantro, oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt into the shrimp mixture. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro leaves, if desired.
TIPS & NOTES
• Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 2 and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
• Kitchen Tip: A nonreactive bowl or pan—stainless-steel, enamel-coated or glass—is necessary when cooking with acidic foods, such as lemon, to prevent the food from reacting with the pan. Reactive pans, such as aluminum and cast-iron, can impart an off color and/or off flavor.
JC,s Baja Mojito Del Sol!!
"The perfect Spring or Summer drink. Tried and tested for over 12 years now. and always a crowd favorite! This recipe yields one gallon!! Use a 1 gallon sun tea jar.
Ingredients
• 2 ounces aged rum
• 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, juiced lime half reserved
• 1/2 ounce orange curaçao
• 1/4 ounce Rich Simple Syrup (see Game Plan note), also known as rock candy syrup
• 1/4 ounce orgeat
• 1 cup crushed ice
• 1 mint sprig, for garnish
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients except the mint sprig in a cocktail shaker, shake vigorously, and pour the entire contents into a double Old Fashioned glass.
2. 2.Garnish with the juiced lime half and a mint sprig.
SportFishing Conservation
A recently released economic study commissioned by The Billfish Foundation (TBF) on the billion dollar-plus annual impact sport fishing brings to Mexico's greater Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos region, has caught the keen attention and responsive actions of two of Mexico's senators.
Citing TBF's research on the value of sport fishing to the economy of Baja California Sur and all of Mexico, Senators Luis Coppola Joffroy and Humberto Andrade Quezada have placed upon the floor of the Mexican Senate an ambitious effort to utilize sport fishing as an economic development tool for all of coastal Mexico.
Of immediate importance is a proposal to amend Mexico's national fisheries law to specifically state that marlins, sailfish, swordfish, rooster fish and dorado are to be used exclusively for sport fishing and that these species may not be sold, even if taken as by-catch by commercial fisheries.
Recent attempts by Mexico's fisheries agency, CONAPESCA, to establish liberal by-catch allowances for billfish, dorado and other species have drawn sharp criticism from sportfishing and conservation organizations.
"Once passed into law this clarifying language should prevent bureaucrats in CONAPESCA from ever again tampering with Mexico's historically profound sportfishing conservation regime," said Dr. Russell Nelson, TBF's chief scientist.
The action was based off the comprehensive 126-page research study conducted in 2007 and 2008 to estimate the dollars, jobs and tax revenues created by anglers focusing on Baja Sur's "sport fishing triangle" showing the enormous effect sport fishing tourism brings to the area. The region includes the Los Cabos communities of East Cape, San Jose del Cabo, and Cabo San Lucas, all once small fishing locales.
In recent years the region has become a major North American tourist destination driven heavily by its world-class striped marlin fishery. In turn sport fishing has also become a major provider of jobs - over 24,000 - and has brought a huge revenue stream of dollars into Mexico's economy.
Nelson, along with Guillermo Alvarez, TBF's Mexican conservation director said information was needed to communicate the importance of the Los Cabos fisheries to its local, state and national leaders.
Headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., The Billfish Foundation works with governments worldwide advancing the conservation of billfish and associated species to improve the health of oceans and regional economies. It has been assisting in the Baja Sur region since 2002.
Besides Mexico's state and federal government officials, TBF President Ellen Peel said the report was distributed to industry and academic interests in Mexico as well. The results will also be presented before the national Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City in January.
The study showed in 2007, 354,013 people, most all of them international visitors, fished in Los Cabos. While there they spent an estimated $633.6 million dollars for lodging, charter boats, food, transportation, tackle, fuel, and more. These expenditures started a series of cascading economic effects in the local economy, creating: 24,426 jobs, $245.5 U.S. million in local and federal tax revenues, and $1.125 U.S. billion in total economic activity.
Additional benefits accrued were Los Cabos angler expenditures generating an added $145 U.S. million to Mexico's Gross Domestic Product; 10,469 additional jobs created elsewhere in Mexico and $75 U.S. million in taxes added to the federal coffers.
But the area has long attracted the interests of Mexico's "fishing mafia," and illegal foreign commercial long-liners and netters in the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) waters and Pacific Ocean coasts.
Nelson said 88 percent of international anglers who have fished in Cabo said they would be less likely to return if they knew the commercial harvest of billfish increased.
The report revealed the most targeted species of interest for sport fishermen were dorado (also known as dolphinfish and mahi-mahi) registering nearly 95% with a success catch rate of over 81%. Marlin were second at nearly 90% with a success rate of over 82% and tuna were the third most popular at over 86% with a 75% success rate among the 10 species listed.
Juvenile dorado and tuna are also part of the food chain for the migrating billfish.
The dorado, a species that under Mexican fisheries law is supposed to be strictly relegated for sport fishing, has for years attracted the interests of illegal commercial fishing. A highly controversial new regulation - NOM-029 - allows for the "incidental" harvest of billfish, dorado and other species within Mexico's 24 year-old conservation zones.
Recent seizures of illegal dorado catches in double digit tonnage have also produced headlines in Mexican newspapers and attention to its commercial fishing mafia.
Multiple tons of the illegal dorado catches, intentionally mis labeled, have crossed into the United States by semi-tractor trailer trucks through Arizona (Nogales) and California (Tijuana.)
"This destructively affects fishing resources and the millions in tourist dollars that also support sport fishing such as catch-and-release for striped marlin in the region," said Nelson.
"This has been an up-and-down year for TBF in Mexico," said Ms. Peel," but we have ended 2008 with a huge success. Dr. Nelson's work with our economic study and Alvarez's commitment to unyielding advocacy before the Mexican government has turned the tide."
"Senators Coppola and Andrade should be hailed as true leaders in Mexico as they both clearly see that promoting sustainable development based on carefully managed sport fishing tourism is an economic and ecological win - win situation for that nation," emphasized Peel. "These two men are fighting for the region's life blood that is within the marine waters of the region - to destroy this resource would be economic suicide to thousands of jobs in Mexico."
BEWARE: Please beware of the guys in the street selling boat charters. If you wait till the day you are fishing and go to the dock where your boat is many times people will mislead you to another boat or dock trying to put you on a boat that was not meant for you. You need to have a person guide you to your boat, who is from a reputable charter company. This way there is no confusion or misleading. Please remember when renting Sport fishing boats in Cabo that you rent your boat from reputable and established business. Walk into a fishing fleet office and ask questions about what you are getting and what are the costs? You don't want to rent boats from vendors in the streets and you do not want to book through shady websites offering you the world. Check through travel forums about reputable fishing fleets to deal with. Look for testimonials about the fleet your booking, your charter with. Ask about what will the boat be supplying? Will it include beverages or lunches? How much does it cost to fillet your catch? Check to see if charter boat is insured? Ask about getting your catch smoked? Check cost of a fishing license. These are just a few things to consider when booking your charter boat. We will be talking more about this in the next weeks fishing report. Until next time good fishing and we hope to see you in Cabo soon. Come by the office here in Cabo and get all the latest up to date fishing report. http://www.jcsportfishing.com http://youtu.be/tSXN6pifQyQ
[signature]
As the Admiral Seas It
Fishing Report: 11/8/15 to 11/16/15
Stop By Our Office for up to Date Fishing Report.
Sportfishing Conservation Info Inside!
Good Numbers of Striped Marlin!
Roosters being Landed Close to Shore?
Some Tuna Still in the Area!!
Sailfish Fishing Holding its Own!!
Grouper and Snapper Fishing Always Good!!
Inshore Action on Small Dorado!
Wahoo Fishing Really Slow!!
JC says: Im Feeling a Little Sick this Week?
Fish Report Boy says: JC Sick, that Sniffling Panzie!!
Chris screamed: JC Sick, What does my Friend Have?
JamieB says: Chis, Should I call an Ambulance for JC !!
Darrell says: JC, the Clowns a Hypochondriac!!
The Brits say: We think JC has Mad Cow Disease? JC,s Baja Mojito Del Sol Drink Inside!
2 English Baja Recipes Inside!
JC,s Grilled Dorado with hot sauce beurre blanc?
!
JC,s Baja Shrimp Ceviche!!
HEADLINES: November 16, 2015
Fish Report Boy says: “ I would like to straighten out a few things about JC. We all know JC has a wild imagination and can stretch the truth a bit about some of the things he has accomplished and you guys all know the ups and downs me and JC have had over the years, but JC does have a good side that needs to be told and that is “JC TAKES CARE OF ALL HIS CLIENTS AS IF THEY ARE FAMILY”If you want a great Sport Fishing charter and adventure while you are in Cabo you have come to the best Sport Fishing operation in Los Cabos. Fish Report Boy went on to say: JC has 20 years operating in Mexico and has always be true and honest about all charters with his customers. There is no hidden secrets with JC Sportfishing and no uncalled surprises. If you want to have the best experience while you are Cabo you should call JC or go to his website and through the contact form on the reservations page you can ask any questions you may have and you also can actually book a charter from the website with Pay Pal.
JC,s LEGEND and LIES will continue next week!!!
Jc Sportfishing Charters is a family owned and operated business and has been fishing in Cabo San Lucas for the past 18 years. Jerry, explains that his charter business is geared more for families and novice anglers, making sure everyone who charters a boat with him have a great time and lots of fun. We welcome families, and groups. We want everyone who fishes with us to take all the sites in and have a memorable experience. This is what is most important to us. We have and do a few tournaments each year and can cater to fisherman who might be interested in tournament fishing. Well lets get on with the fishing report for this past week.
WEATHER: : Now we are starting to see it cool down some as nights and daytime temperatures have been getting cooler and not as intense as they were. The last couple days especially have been cooler at night with a nice breeze coming in off the Pacific. I think we are seeing some change after a long, hard and long summer, not to mention the hurricane. Highs are in the mid 80,s and lows in the ladder 60,s which is pretty normal for this time of year, but last year it seemed to stay warm all year. Anyway, its pleasant and I think you will all enjoy this weather if you come on down and experience it yourself
WATER: Warm water still lingering in our area a I noticed on the tembreak map it looks like there is pockets of the warm stuff still up there in some areas on the pacific side. Up as far north as the Finger Bank and south to Golden Gate and San Jamie banks. Whatever The case that warm water has been good for fishing. This link which will show you water temperatures for the southern half of Baja. http://www.tempbreak.com/index.php?&cwregion=cb
BILLFISH: Good numbers of Striped Marlin up and around Los Arcos with good numbers also at the Light House, we have been drifting bait at about 200ft or so using downriggers. It has been pretty consistent for the last month on these 2 species so we really cant complain. Most charters will hook into some type of Billfish. If you go up and head toward the Margarita area, about 2 miles offshore, you will run into some Sailfish and Striped Marlin. We had lots of luck using lures and live bait their.
DORADO: Dordo fishing has stayed pretty good all week. Seems like some of the Dorado that were in Mag Bay last week might have drifted down our way and we are doing good at landing some.
SWORDFISH: Hasn't heard of any caught this week.
WAHOO: The Wahoo fishing has slowed over the past week with really not the numbers we were seeing but still ok.
TUNA: Scattered schools of Tuna this past week and most being landed were football size fish. The Tuna seiners were still in the area and the catches weren’t especially good with the tournament last so it wasn’t an exciting week for Tuna this week.
INSHORE: The pangas have been doing really well inshore for Dorado and even the Wahoo fishing has been good tight to the beach. The productive areas are from the Solmar all the way to the Pump House. Some Roosters reported landed in the surf and I did hear reports of a few Grouper and Red Snappers being caught close to shore in about 50ft of water using cut bait.
From The Admirals Kitchen!
Grilled Dorado with hot sauce beurre blanc?
Use this recipe and make it tonight! Hot sauce is a natural condiment for fried chicken and even oysters, but chef Hugh Acheson will deepen your appreciation of it. A good hot sauce, he says, “adds acid and nuance to things – that vinegary pucker thing I like.” At his Atlanta restaurant, Empire State South, his crew even makes a house hot sauce, fermenting barrels of pulverized peppers and salt and later topping off the pungent brew with some cider vinegar. You’ll find plenty of use for the bottled kind, too, especially in rich, creamy sauces or dishes that already need a punch of acid. An ingenious example: Acheson’s tweak to the Frenchiest of fish sauces, beurre blanc, from his cookbook, A New Turn in the South (R387, kalahari.com).
Ingredients
1 cucumber, seeds removed, thinly sliced
3 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
1 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, minced
3/4 tsp Maldon sea salt (or other flaky sea salt), divided
1 shallot, minced
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 tbsp spicy sauce
115g cold unsalted butter, cubed
4 dorado fillets (120g each)
Freshly cracked pepper to taste
4 lemon wedges
Do this now
1 In a large mixing bowl, toss the cucumber with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, the parsley, and 1/4 tsp salt. Set aside.
2 In a small saucepan, heat the shallot, vinegar, and remaining 1 tbsp lemon juice on medium until reduced to 2 tbsp. Add the hot sauce, lower the heat to a bare simmer and begin whisking in the cold butter; incorporate each cube completely before adding the next one. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt and keep it warm in a water bath (a metal bowl set above a pan of simmering water).
3 Set the oven rack so it’s 15cm from the grill. Heat the grill and brush a sheet pan with 1 tbsp olive oil. Season the fish with the pepper and remaining sea salt; drizzle the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over the fish. Place the fillets on the pan and grill until they’re just opaque at the centre, 3 to 5 minutes each side.
4 Arrange the cucumber on a platter and place the fish on top. Drizzle with the beurre blanc and serve with lemon wedges.
Makes 4 servings
JC,s Baja Shrimp Ceviche!!
INGREDIENTS
• 2 quarts water
• 1/4 cup kosher salt
CEVICHE
• 1 pound raw shrimp (21-25 per pound), peeled and deveined
• Juice of 2 lemons
• Juice of 2 limes
• Juice of 2 oranges
• 1 cup diced seeded peeled cucumber (1/4-inch dice)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
• 2 serrano chiles, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 cup diced seeded tomato
• 1 avocado, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon roughly chopped cilantro leaves, plus more leaves for garnish
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
PREPARATION
1. Combine water and 1/4 cup salt in a large saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Add shrimp and immediately turn off the heat. Let the shrimp sit until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes.
2. Chop the shrimp into 1/2-inch pieces and place in a medium nonreactive bowl (see Tip). Add lemon, lime and orange juice. Stir in cucumber, onion and chiles. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. Stir tomato, avocado, chopped cilantro, oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt into the shrimp mixture. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro leaves, if desired.
TIPS & NOTES
• Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 2 and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
• Kitchen Tip: A nonreactive bowl or pan—stainless-steel, enamel-coated or glass—is necessary when cooking with acidic foods, such as lemon, to prevent the food from reacting with the pan. Reactive pans, such as aluminum and cast-iron, can impart an off color and/or off flavor.
JC,s Baja Mojito Del Sol!!
"The perfect Spring or Summer drink. Tried and tested for over 12 years now. and always a crowd favorite! This recipe yields one gallon!! Use a 1 gallon sun tea jar.
Ingredients
• 2 ounces aged rum
• 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, juiced lime half reserved
• 1/2 ounce orange curaçao
• 1/4 ounce Rich Simple Syrup (see Game Plan note), also known as rock candy syrup
• 1/4 ounce orgeat
• 1 cup crushed ice
• 1 mint sprig, for garnish
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients except the mint sprig in a cocktail shaker, shake vigorously, and pour the entire contents into a double Old Fashioned glass.
2. 2.Garnish with the juiced lime half and a mint sprig.
SportFishing Conservation
A recently released economic study commissioned by The Billfish Foundation (TBF) on the billion dollar-plus annual impact sport fishing brings to Mexico's greater Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos region, has caught the keen attention and responsive actions of two of Mexico's senators.
Citing TBF's research on the value of sport fishing to the economy of Baja California Sur and all of Mexico, Senators Luis Coppola Joffroy and Humberto Andrade Quezada have placed upon the floor of the Mexican Senate an ambitious effort to utilize sport fishing as an economic development tool for all of coastal Mexico.
Of immediate importance is a proposal to amend Mexico's national fisheries law to specifically state that marlins, sailfish, swordfish, rooster fish and dorado are to be used exclusively for sport fishing and that these species may not be sold, even if taken as by-catch by commercial fisheries.
Recent attempts by Mexico's fisheries agency, CONAPESCA, to establish liberal by-catch allowances for billfish, dorado and other species have drawn sharp criticism from sportfishing and conservation organizations.
"Once passed into law this clarifying language should prevent bureaucrats in CONAPESCA from ever again tampering with Mexico's historically profound sportfishing conservation regime," said Dr. Russell Nelson, TBF's chief scientist.
The action was based off the comprehensive 126-page research study conducted in 2007 and 2008 to estimate the dollars, jobs and tax revenues created by anglers focusing on Baja Sur's "sport fishing triangle" showing the enormous effect sport fishing tourism brings to the area. The region includes the Los Cabos communities of East Cape, San Jose del Cabo, and Cabo San Lucas, all once small fishing locales.
In recent years the region has become a major North American tourist destination driven heavily by its world-class striped marlin fishery. In turn sport fishing has also become a major provider of jobs - over 24,000 - and has brought a huge revenue stream of dollars into Mexico's economy.
Nelson, along with Guillermo Alvarez, TBF's Mexican conservation director said information was needed to communicate the importance of the Los Cabos fisheries to its local, state and national leaders.
Headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., The Billfish Foundation works with governments worldwide advancing the conservation of billfish and associated species to improve the health of oceans and regional economies. It has been assisting in the Baja Sur region since 2002.
Besides Mexico's state and federal government officials, TBF President Ellen Peel said the report was distributed to industry and academic interests in Mexico as well. The results will also be presented before the national Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City in January.
The study showed in 2007, 354,013 people, most all of them international visitors, fished in Los Cabos. While there they spent an estimated $633.6 million dollars for lodging, charter boats, food, transportation, tackle, fuel, and more. These expenditures started a series of cascading economic effects in the local economy, creating: 24,426 jobs, $245.5 U.S. million in local and federal tax revenues, and $1.125 U.S. billion in total economic activity.
Additional benefits accrued were Los Cabos angler expenditures generating an added $145 U.S. million to Mexico's Gross Domestic Product; 10,469 additional jobs created elsewhere in Mexico and $75 U.S. million in taxes added to the federal coffers.
But the area has long attracted the interests of Mexico's "fishing mafia," and illegal foreign commercial long-liners and netters in the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) waters and Pacific Ocean coasts.
Nelson said 88 percent of international anglers who have fished in Cabo said they would be less likely to return if they knew the commercial harvest of billfish increased.
The report revealed the most targeted species of interest for sport fishermen were dorado (also known as dolphinfish and mahi-mahi) registering nearly 95% with a success catch rate of over 81%. Marlin were second at nearly 90% with a success rate of over 82% and tuna were the third most popular at over 86% with a 75% success rate among the 10 species listed.
Juvenile dorado and tuna are also part of the food chain for the migrating billfish.
The dorado, a species that under Mexican fisheries law is supposed to be strictly relegated for sport fishing, has for years attracted the interests of illegal commercial fishing. A highly controversial new regulation - NOM-029 - allows for the "incidental" harvest of billfish, dorado and other species within Mexico's 24 year-old conservation zones.
Recent seizures of illegal dorado catches in double digit tonnage have also produced headlines in Mexican newspapers and attention to its commercial fishing mafia.
Multiple tons of the illegal dorado catches, intentionally mis labeled, have crossed into the United States by semi-tractor trailer trucks through Arizona (Nogales) and California (Tijuana.)
"This destructively affects fishing resources and the millions in tourist dollars that also support sport fishing such as catch-and-release for striped marlin in the region," said Nelson.
"This has been an up-and-down year for TBF in Mexico," said Ms. Peel," but we have ended 2008 with a huge success. Dr. Nelson's work with our economic study and Alvarez's commitment to unyielding advocacy before the Mexican government has turned the tide."
"Senators Coppola and Andrade should be hailed as true leaders in Mexico as they both clearly see that promoting sustainable development based on carefully managed sport fishing tourism is an economic and ecological win - win situation for that nation," emphasized Peel. "These two men are fighting for the region's life blood that is within the marine waters of the region - to destroy this resource would be economic suicide to thousands of jobs in Mexico."
BEWARE: Please beware of the guys in the street selling boat charters. If you wait till the day you are fishing and go to the dock where your boat is many times people will mislead you to another boat or dock trying to put you on a boat that was not meant for you. You need to have a person guide you to your boat, who is from a reputable charter company. This way there is no confusion or misleading. Please remember when renting Sport fishing boats in Cabo that you rent your boat from reputable and established business. Walk into a fishing fleet office and ask questions about what you are getting and what are the costs? You don't want to rent boats from vendors in the streets and you do not want to book through shady websites offering you the world. Check through travel forums about reputable fishing fleets to deal with. Look for testimonials about the fleet your booking, your charter with. Ask about what will the boat be supplying? Will it include beverages or lunches? How much does it cost to fillet your catch? Check to see if charter boat is insured? Ask about getting your catch smoked? Check cost of a fishing license. These are just a few things to consider when booking your charter boat. We will be talking more about this in the next weeks fishing report. Until next time good fishing and we hope to see you in Cabo soon. Come by the office here in Cabo and get all the latest up to date fishing report. http://www.jcsportfishing.com http://youtu.be/tSXN6pifQyQ
[signature]