On July 14, CONAPESCA (México’s National Aquaculture and Fishing Commission) suddenly and unexpectedly sent out a notice that stated:
“In accordance with recent Mexican Government regulations revisions, the capture of Blue Fin Tuna (Thunnus Orientals) in Mexican waters is forbidden for the remainder of the 2014 calendar year.”
Just as quick as México closed its waters to bluefin fishing, it reopened them to recreational fishing.
Ken Franke, president of the Sportfishing Association of California (SAC), said he received verbal permission from México City to tell his sport boats to start hooking and keeping bluefin.
Some environmental groups have been saying that the Pacific bluefin population was down to 4 percent from its virgin stock. Franke has questioned the science, saying he offered solutions and that must have been enough for México.
“Our captains are seeing big schools of small bluefin and big schools of big bluefin, which indicates a healthy fishery,” Franke said.
(from U-T San Diego)
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