Shark slaughter off Texas coast

[TwoBitTxn]

From the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Field notes.

500 Sharks Killed — A Cameron County Game Warden responded to a call from the U.S. Coast Guard pertaining to the capture of three Mexican fishing vessels fishing in U.S. waters. After all gear was recovered and transported to the shore, it took four game warden trucks to load all the net. More than 500 sharks were destroyed by the illegal netting.

I truely wish something substantial could be done to those who have been caught, but I doubt it. They will lose boats, gear, netting, etc. but what else??

Then there are those who never get caught. :frown:

TwoBit

 

[cyklon_300]

ago and shortly afterwards, 7 illegal fishing vessels took over 4500 sharks and scores of giant mantas. There is a freaking naval base on Socorro and they didn't stop it...a liveaboard videotaped the boats in action and submitted it to the authorities and nothing was done.

Peruvian and Ecuadorian vessels routinely poach in waters around the Galapagos...even when boats are caught red-handed, little happens due to the fear of political repercussions.

Sharks are taking a beating primarily to satisfy the culinary fetishes of a few countries. Pizzes me off big time...

I'd love to slap some limpet mines on these boats and watch the result...

 

[docmartin]

looks pretty hopeless when you read things like that. i went to the adventure in travel expo last weekend and they showed some footage of the whale shark slaughter in india. it is now the highest priced shark meet in taiwan. what a tragedy.

 

[PeaceDog]

I wouldn't worry about it, guys. According to the "Which Sharks to Cook" thread, there's still plenty of sharks out there.

No need to sweat it.
Everything's fine.
Net away.

 

[archman]

I wouldn't worry about it, guys. According to the "Which Sharks to Cook" thread, there's still plenty of sharks out there.

No need to sweat it.
Everything's fine.
Net away.

I had to look up the shark cooking thread to see if you were being sarcastic or not. You really DON'T want to get assaulted by the hordes of enviro-nuts, photographers, and naturalists on this board. They'll quote Rachel Carson, Sylvia Earle, and Al Gore till the end of time.

Can't find my copy of "Silent Spring" at the moment... you're getting off lucky.

 

[TwoBitTxn]

I know there is plenty of sarcasm and steam blowing that goes on.

One (of many) reasons that I could never support Greenpeace is I don't agree with their tactics for supporting their causes. I told a Greenpeace member on a fund drive I don't support terrorist organizations.

I don't agree with the attitude of all or nothing. Legalize all of it or ban it all. Speaking of fishing/hunting. We are capable of managing the wildlife to sustainable levels. When it comes to species that have a wide range (migratory fish) multiple countries need to be involved. Unfortunately other countries fail in enforcement due to a myriad of reasons.

I wish I could propose workable solutions. When it comes to money from the sales of fish or fish parts or it comes to subsistance farming of the ocean its even more difficult because you begin to battle with people who will not listen to reason.

Jail time, fines, take away their boat and make a new reef.... somepeople will only learn when its gone.

TwoBit

 

[5615mike]

ago and shortly afterwards, 7 illegal fishing vessels took over 4500 sharks and scores of giant mantas. There is a freaking naval base on Socorro and they didn't stop it...a liveaboard videotaped the boats in action and submitted it to the authorities and nothing was done.

Peruvian and Ecuadorian vessels routinely poach in waters around the Galapagos...even when boats are caught red-handed, little happens due to the fear of political repercussions.

Sharks are taking a beating primarily to satisfy the culinary fetishes of a few countries. Pizzes me off big time...

I'd love to slap some limpet mines on these boats and watch the result...

Ditto.........where's flipper when you need him to deliver one of those special bombs! It's no wonder the fish life has been so drastically reduced throughout the carribean.........now they want to help US ruin our own eco system.

 

[PeaceDog]

I know there is plenty of sarcasm and steam blowing that goes on.

One (of many) reasons that I could never support Greenpeace is I don't agree with their tactics for supporting their causes. I told a Greenpeace member on a fund drive I don't support terrorist organizations.

I don't agree with the attitude of all or nothing. Legalize all of it or ban it all. Speaking of fishing/hunting. We are capable of managing the wildlife to sustainable levels. When it comes to species that have a wide range (migratory fish) multiple countries need to be involved. Unfortunately other countries fail in enforcement due to a myriad of reasons.

I think that the real change in going to come when those who are involved in sportfishing and diving get active and united. Greenpeace and PETA and organizations like them will never make the difference necessary if they continue to utilize methods that make them come across as more radical and scary than the practices they are protesting.

I do believe in thinking globally but acting locally, however. Again, that's how recreational divers and sportfishermen will help out. I'd also like to see what how involved domestic commercial fishermen are getting. Unfortunately
I think I know the answer, but I'd very much like to be proven wrong.

Unfortunately, healthy environmental conservation just isn't good business.......

 

[adder70]

I know there is plenty of sarcasm and steam blowing that goes on.

When it comes to money from the sales of fish or fish parts or it comes to subsistance farming of the ocean its even more difficult because you begin to battle with people who will not listen to reason.
TwoBit

I do agree that environmental causes need to be heard, but I will take exception to the comment that subsistence farmers "will not listen to reason." If you only made just enough to survive (definition of subsistence) and someone wanted you to abandon the techniques that bring in enough to methods that may benefit the environment but at your expense, would you really do it? Think about it. You make just enough to survive, and they want you to take less. That is "reason" to which you should listen?! (Hint for the slow people: if it's just enough to survive, taking less means you DIE!)

 

[cyklon_300]

I think that the real change in going to come when those who are involved in sportfishing and diving get active and united. Greenpeace and PETA and organizations like them will never make the difference necessary if they continue to utilize methods that make them come across as more radical and scary than the practices they are protesting.

I do believe in thinking globally but acting locally, however. Again, that's how recreational divers and sportfishermen will help out. I'd also like to see what how involved domestic commercial fishermen are getting. Unfortunately
I think I know the answer, but I'd very much like to be proven wrong.

Unfortunately, healthy environmental conservation just isn't good business.......

won't make a difference because the majority of the money they raise is funneled back into more fundraising efforts instead of education, legislative efforts, or other direct action that addresses environmental degradation.

Environ conservation most definitely can be a good business decision and can be disastrous if not practiced...continued dynamiting and cyanide fishing can eradicate reefs and associated ecosystems, leaving indigenous peoples with no way to practice subsistence fishing or cater to eco-tourism. A lose-lose situation.