Critical reef fish, caught illegally, continue to
show up in fish markets including Wal-Mart.
We think we are winning a few battles but losing the war to save the
reef fish and the reefs around La Paz. Parrot fish is the perfect
example
Many of the reef fish we are finding in the markets, are Parrotfish and some
Surgeonfish. It is interesting that neither of these fish can be taken legally. They
are caught on reefs with nets or shot at night (both techniques are illegal).
We've been thinking more about the problem of the important reef grazers (Parrot and
Surgeon) We have to do three things to stop the illegal killing, selling and eating of
these critical reef fish.
1. Continue and increase patrols to stop the illegal capture of these fish. We must
double the time on the water at night.
2. Put the sellers of these critical and illegal fish in the limelight. For example,
take a group of young students (Beto and his son’s class) into the fish market or
better yet Wal-Mart fish counter with big pictures of parrot fish and pictures of the
reefs of La Paz which are no more than dirt covered rocks. In front of the TV
crew tell the children how important these two fish are to the reef ecosystem and
that they are only caught illegally and show them that the particular shop or store
is selling this illegal fish and have the children ask the mostrador/owner to stop
selling these critically important reef fish.
3. Ask the townspeople to stop buying these two critical illegally caught fish.
I’m sure there are a variety of ways to do this, newspaper, TV, radio, posters in
the market. Get written commitments from fish markets not to sell this Parrot fish
and certify them with some sort of seal they put on their fish display counter.
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The above quote is from Carl Safina’s new book – A view from Lazy Point
Parrot fish and Surgeon fish are critical to having reefs with Coral. In La Paz, we are killing them illegally
and every store, including Walmart, Mega, Chedrui, and local markets are selling these illegally caught
fish.
Carl Safina’s book - A View From Lazy Point
Healthy reef at Cabo Pulmo cleaned by Surgeon fish and parrot fish
Typical reef area on Espritu Santos. This picture taken at Gallina