disturbing sight in the Gulf of Mexico

[itziar]

I'm thoroughly sickened and can't stop thinking about it.
What can I can do about this?

I was shocked and saddened by an exhibit in the Monterey
(CA) aquarium, when I visited it some 7 years ago. This exhibit described
the problem of overfishing and bycatching of "unwanted species". It
troubled me so much, since I am a true seafood fan, that I bought
several books on the matter. In
particular, the shrimp industry seemed to be particularly
bad. Quoting "Hook, Line & Sinkking: the crisis in Marine Fisheries:
by the Natural Resources Defense Council (February 1997): "Bycatch
in the shrimp industry extends beyond endangered sea turtles. Eighty
per-cent of the catch taken by shrimp trawls consists of fish and
other marine creatures that are returned to the sea dead or dying".
So it is not only dolphins (as you saw), but also turtles
(the most disturbing bycatch in the book) and fishes that have no
comercial value for the shrimp industry.

The Monterey Aquarium has a site called "Seafood Watch"
(http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp) where they
make recommendations for consumers on how to help through their
shopping habits in reducing this problem. In particular they
recognize that "shrimp traps" waste very little catch, and most
unwanted animals are released. If you can make sure that the only
shrimp you eat and buy comes from shrimp traps, and not from nets,
you will already be helping.


Cheers,

Itziar

 

[mempilot]

If it was malicious, then it is truly sad. If it was dispatching a wounded animal, it is still sad, but somewhat understandable. This is why we have courts. Perceptions and reality can be very far apart.

 

[Hank49]

Bycatch
in the shrimp industry extends beyond endangered sea turtles. Eighty
per-cent of the catch taken by shrimp trawls consists of fish and
other marine creatures that are returned to the sea dead or dying".

These southern shrimp trawlers have some clout with the government. Do you all know that their lobbying, due to their in ability to compete with the price of farmed shrimp, has succeeded in slapping inport tariffs on all shrimp from China, Thailand and Brazil? That is about 65% of the imported shrimp into the USA last year. You may be able to bust that boat for killing the dolphin (if that's what they were doing) but you'll have a major uphill battle trying to stop shrimp trawling. And be prepared to pay more for shrimp this coming year. Look for our label in stores. Belize Aquaculture Ltd. No mangroves destroyed, recycled water, 0 water exchange and plastic lined ponds so no salt water seeps into groundwater supplies. (sorry. I had to throw that in just in case anyone wanted to bust me on the damage caused by shrimp farms)

 

[itziar]

I had to throw that in just in case anyone wanted to bust me on the damage caused by shrimp farms)

Good point, yes, I am aware of the eco-friendly farms. Sorry for the omission. That is also pointed out as a good alternative in the website I mentioned. Unfortunately, in my view, "Seafood Watch" is too extreme in recommending avoiding all non-US farmed shrimp, associating it to malpractices in Asia. As you point out, there are also efforts being made in other countries to develop and implement susteinable eco-friendly fishing/harvesting techniques.

 

[Hank49]

Good point, yes, I am aware of the eco-friendly farms. Sorry for the omission. That is also pointed out as a good alternative in the website I mentioned. Unfortunately, in my view, "Seafood Watch" is too extreme in recommending avoiding all non-US farmed shrimp, associating it to malpractices in Asia. As you point out, there are also efforts being made in other countries to develop and implement susteinable eco-friendly fishing/harvesting techniques.

I've read some really nasty articles from some environmental protection groups about shrimp farming. It's exaggerated most times but there was some real slash and burn practices in Southeast Asia. But I truly believe that it's all for the best. One day, when there's 15 billion people living on this planet, the only medium large enough to grow food will be the sea. And since I started in commercial aquaculture in 1977 we've made huge gains in technology for sustainability.

 

[archman]

Both intensive and semi-intensive shrimp mariculture farming tend to be highly polluting once they get into full operation. I'd rate their water quality impacts as more destructive than intitial construction damages. The effluent must be extremely well filtered to keep from impacting the adjacent ecology.

As for shrimping in Texas, that's tightly regulated. There's a set limit on boats, which is steadily decreasing as the government and NGO's buy them out. The lobby is important, but not as it was in the past.

 

[Hank49]

Both intensive and semi-intensive shrimp mariculture farming tend to be highly polluting once they get into full operation. I'd rate their water quality impacts as more destructive than intitial construction damages. The effluent must be extremely well filtered to keep from impacting the adjacent ecology.

As for shrimping in Texas, that's tightly regulated. There's a set limit on boats, which is steadily decreasing as the government and NGO's buy them out. The lobby is important, but not as it was in the past.

"Highly polluting" is a term used rather loosley against shrimp farming. Go ask fishermen in the Philippines or here in Belize where they get the most fish. "Pulluting", or "enriching" by stimulating the lower end of the food chain? The disharge areas at greatest risk are lagoons with little or no tidal exchange. These can actually have oxygen crashes. The BOD at our outlet is usually about 20.
Farmers learned from mistakes made in the past. Most new farms being constructed today are modeling this one. Settling ponds for discharge and recycled water. Don't s##t in your own backyard. But, back to that dolphin....

 

[rachel0]

Well I contacted both federal and state authorities as well as quasi-governmental authorities. They (feds) took my information, said that they had problems with this shrimp boat before but didn't give me specifics. We went back and forth a bit.

The feds wanted to see what other direct evidence I had. However, the other diver who took some shots insisted nothing came out--I don't believe it, but I can't force him to hand over what he has. I don't think the feds are interested in pursuing this case without the pics even though I clearly saw them beating the dolphin and then stop when we pulled up to their boat. I haven't heard back from them since I informed them I don't have any pics. As an attorney, I understand. In order to take action, they need a strong case with significant evidence. One witness just doesn't make a strong enough case--I don't have additional direct evidence, and the other divers, including the boat captain and dive master don't want to get involved so I'm the only witness.

[and i apologize in advance if this sounds sanctimonious] As for some posters, believe whatever you want if that helps you continue living in your comfy little world where nothing bad ever happens, fine, but it doesn't change the reality of what happened. For everyone else, thank you for reading this thread; I hope it's made you angry over the incident, and thus more watchful and more willing to get involved.

 

[archman]

Rachel, I am pleased that you made the extra effort to contact the authorities. Most people don't, but whine a lot in inconsequential circles.

As a side note, which specific state and federal agencies did you contact, and which ones were the "lead" for this sort of thing? These tend to change from time to time, and I'm not current on whose the big daddy now.

Kinda weird that your diver-photographer friend didn't want to show the photos. There isn't a shrimp-boat mafia, by the way.

Did you ask the enforcement agents about filed marine mammal bycatch reports for that time period in the Gulf of Mexico? I'm curious to see if the written law is actually practiced by the government agencies.

 

[rachel0]

Rachel, I am pleased that you made the extra effort to contact the authorities. Most people don't, but whine a lot in inconsequential circles.

As a side note, which specific state and federal agencies did you contact, and which ones were the "lead" for this sort of thing? These tend to change from time to time, and I'm not current on whose the big daddy now.

Kinda weird that your diver-photographer friend didn't want to show the photos. There isn't a shrimp-boat mafia, by the way.

Did you ask the enforcement agents about filed marine mammal bycatch reports for that time period in the Gulf of Mexico? I'm curious to see if the written law is actually practiced by the government agencies.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. Commerce Department was the agency that took the responsiblity. I had contacted the Coast Guard (who were busy with hurricanes and terrorism anyway), the National Marine Fisheries, and the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network. They all referred me to the NOAA, whose job it is to oversee the protection of marine animals. I haven't contacted PETA or Greenpeace. I'm slightly afraid of PETA people (not totally joking there) and I don't want to be responsible for vigilantism, despite the fact I think those people should be keelhauled.

other diver--I'm not surprised he didn't want to share the photos, he seemed afraid that he'd get pulled into it. And I think he does think that the shrimpers would come after him.

I didn't ask about the report, I just found about there was such a thing. Who would have the report?