The fish killing fields of Candelero Chico.
04 April 2018 | 25 42.410N:-111 12.954W
Bill
When we visited Candelero Chico in the Sea of Cortez eight years ago, we found numerous Hammer Head Shark heads littering the shore line. Through the years we thought that maybe the Mexican Government as well as their National Parks System would have either educated the fishermen or put a stop to the whole sale slaughter of all these animals. Apparently not as when we went ashore yesterday, there were dozens of shark heads all lined up and other just scattered around the beach. We also saw what looked like Mobulla Ray bodies scattered on the bottom of the cove shallow enough that we could get pictures of the white carcasses. I took pictures but they will have to wait for actual internet. Last night, the fishermen were back again as it woke us up as they came into the cove with their panga heaped full of more Mantas. Tracy watched through the stern windows as they were dragged off the boats and slaughtered on shore, with what was left thrown into the water or left on shore for the sea gulls to feast on which they are as I type this. It's not gotten better, it's gotten worse. As to where they sell the meat of the fish, there isn't that much close by other than the resort at Candeleros just west of us or the people that live near the resort. The resort opened a few years ago and even allows boaters to buy day passes to use their facilities. The filleting of the fish took a good two hours before the fishermen left the cove, leaving their scraps behind.
As I wrote in my last post, we were thrilled to have the cove to ourselves as it's big enough for two if one anchors close to the head of the cove and the other out in the channel in. One big catamaran passed us by slowly about 1700 but as we watched a show below in the main cabin, a 54 foot Jeaneau pulled in silently and dropped their hook out in the channel. RATS!!! Our privacy has been violated!!! It's an Italian registered boat and came from who knows where as they have no AIS on board. They have now lowered their outboard onto their dinghy so it looks like they will be visiting shore soon to see the sights. It's going to be a stinky walk with all the dead carcass along the beach.
When I got up this morning, the gulls were ashore all lined up and squawking loudly about their find quite happy that they don't even have to go fishing for their breakfast. Let me tell you, thirty or so sea gulls can make a lot of racket when they get going as a group.
Last night, I sat out on the foredeck and laid back and watched the night sky looking for falling stars. Only saw one in the hour I was out but oh how the night sky lit up as my eyes got used to the utter darkness of the moonless night. The moon doesn't come up till after midnight so it's really quite black. That blackness also allowed me to see all the incredible bioluminescence in the water of the cove. It was like millions of fireflies or lightening bugs all lighting up down in the water. An amazing sight to see. One of the many joys of being back in the Sea of Cortez. Today, go to the beach and hike to the far side and see the south beach plus a few small jobs(as always)