Florida - targeting protected Species?

Read this.

These are the rules governing fishing for Elasmobranchs in Florida. There is a list of protected species that may neither be harvested nor landed but must instead be immediately returned to the water free, alive, and unharmed, see under Definitions, (3).  

Here are some additional recommendations for catch-and-release fishing that latest since 2014 have been shown to be woefully inadequate for Great Hammerheads that are likely to die even when they appear to swim away in seemingly good shape - especially when they are caught from land where dragging them ashore requires particularly brutal handling.

And these are the regs for the protected Goliath Grouper.

So how about the picture at the top.

Or this one

I got this 13'6 hammer with a few friends of mine a couple of nights ago. Many more to come!

Or this one

I hate these things so freaking much

Yes these pics would be the dude from that recent video.

Like those morons targeting Sawfish, he and his friends are deliberately targeting protected species. This is his Instagram account - pictures here, here and here, more endangered and protected GHH e.g. here and here, total abomination here. Here are more horrible pictures. And here is his Facebook account.

And the FWC that should be enforcing the law?

I know for a fact that they've been alerted to the shenanigans, and this several times - and so far, nada de nada, zilch, bubkes!
Like I asked back then, is this because a) this is legal - and then the law or its interpretation are failing their purpose and need to be amended; or b) it is illegal but the FWC doesn't give a shit - and then those people need to be held accountable.

So what is it gonna be.

Are you Shark folks down there gonna continue to play at conservation by going out and molesting some more Lemons and Tigers - or are you finally going to actually do something and actually save a few endangered animals by getting off your arses and having the FWC put an end to the appalling shenanigans by that dude and his friends?

And since we're at it: is Mote still complicit in this shit?

The world is watching!

Enforcement of Shark Sanctuaries - Case in Point!

Source.

The noose is definitely slowly tightening on those poachers.

Read this.

If true, this would be an absolutely egregious case of poaching and obstruction - the good news being that they were caught and that if convicted, this will act as a strong deterrent. And, the Marshall Islands would be pocketing a nice chunk of cash that would go a long way towards further improving their monitoring and enforcement.

And failing that, there's always the Indonesian approach, see at top - maybe a tad harsh but it sure send out a message! :)

Well done!

Fish Warden Course!

Behold!

This is the fish warden class of 2015!

This is the fourth fish warden course we sponsor, and the lineup obviously comprises many BAD boyz and Galoa villagers that will patrol the SRMR - but there is also Ron from Projects Abroad, plus several participants from Vunibau and even the USP that will henceforth patrol and protect the precious Bull, Lemon and Scalloped Hammerhead nurseries in the mouths of the Navua and the Rewa, respectively!

Our thanks go to the Department of Fisheries, The Ministry of Environment, the Police, the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and the office of the Roko Tui Serua for all having kindly assisted in this endeavor!
And to Nani for having organized it all! :)

Just like I said.

Like always the proof is the doing, not in those breathy announcements and idle talk!

 

Pew - Eyes on the Seas!

Source.

Great stuff!

Watch the following.

Posted specifically for the usual naysayers that continue to assert that those Shark Sanctuaries are nothing but bullshit as nobody is enforcing the regulations. I say, SINOs my ass - yes it's hard work, yes it's frustrating and expensive but slowly slowly, the noose on those poachers is tightening!

Details here and here.

And here is an article from Palau showing how a poacher was apprehended with this technology.

Well done Pew - I'm impressed!

 

Indonesia - Manta Ray Bust!

Wow.

This (and here) is really excellent new!

Should this become an ongoing commitment rather than a spectacular one off, then it would really mean that the rampant poaching and the illegal wildlife trade in Indonesia could be finally curbed.

And I really like the strategy of targeting the traders.

It is they that encourage the fishing and poaching, and they are far fewer than the fishermen and thus easier to keep in check.

Well done!

Enforcement of Shark Sanctuaries!

Check this out.

So much for those assumed SINOs.

Yes it may not appear to be much and is distinctly different from Ms Andersen's wet dreams of playing pirate on the high seas - but especially when flanked by solid prosecution and draconian fines, it does send around the message and trust me, would-be poachers hear it loud & clear!

More information here.

PS and one more successful bust here, with 1,200 to 1,500 Sharks presumed killed.
PS2 breathy post huh! :)

South Africa: Simian convicted!

Guess the moron aint feeling like hanging loose now!

Remember?

Well, he ultimately got what he deserved.

Once again, thanks and kudos to Oceans Research for having broken the story and pursued the matter!

 

Taiwan and Spain - again!

Albacora Uno - habitual Spanish poacher.

Read this.

Same old same old.
After having annihilated their own Fish stocks, Taiwanese and Spanish distant water vessels are now poaching in the Pacific - and not only them and not only there!

But in the end, it's also our fault.
For some reason I shall never quite comprehend, those nations are given a seat and alas, also a vote within the local RFMOS where they successfully prevent any sensible management measures, like at the last catastrophic meeting of the IATTC. And what is even worse, they are then even accorded fishing licenses where they then proceed to reap and pillage like they have always done, and this very much at the expense of the local fishing industry (and here!).

Huge kudos to the Marshals for having caught them red-handed.
And yes, They are protecting sharks and don't even have a reality TV show!!!