Poor Baby Totoabas and Vaquitas ! The Totoaba Cartel !!! - 07/19: Adding Press Release From The Animal Welfare Institute

 All last week plus a couple more days, I was swamped with Doctor appointments and Vet appointments. Actually, I'm not doing any of the driving due to my knee, Mike does it all, as you know, I just hobble along. 

But there is good news, I go in for a pre-op the end of next week, and so far the knee surgery is set up (can you believe it ) for Friday, August the 4th. After all this time in knee limbo this is shocking news. Don't know all of the details but when I find out, I'll let you know. 

Bernie in Vermont after the deluge

So, the blog is really behind, sorry. I'm just going to put up a couple of reports and come back to the real nitty gritty asap. First though, I've been following weather in the States and Hawaii. Mike desperately needs some new shorts (10") - his are threadbare. The faves are the ones at the Vermont Country Store, but I didn't want to bother them with the intense and horrid flooding. So, he will have to wait.

More flooding on the way in Hawaii due to Tropical Storm Calvin. If you happen to be looking for real estate there make sure the real estate agent has a flood indicator. I'm ready to give up, the housing is so expensive, and every house I like is destined to be flooded out. Look at this one - but no backyard plus I would have to rob a bank. 

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Precious

Quickly, because I'm overdue for a voltaren, check this out from Zeta:

Biden Amenaza a MX Con Sanciones Comerciales Si No Protege a Vaquitos Marinos y Totoabas En Un Ano

Por, Carlos Alvarez - 07/17/23

"The president of the United States, Joseph Biden, urged, on July 17, 2023, the Mexican government to intensify conservation efforts for the vaquita and totoaba, two endangered species, threatening possible trade sanctions if they do not there were results in the same month next year.

 In a letter addressed to the US Congress, the US president explained that he had ordered various federal agencies in his country to hold a high-level meeting with the Mexican government, to "address the steps to follow to reduce illegal trafficking of totoaba and ensure the conservation of the vaquita”.

At this meeting, the US government will urge its Mexican counterpart to "strengthen the implementation" of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, in addition to establishing a calendar to review progress in the protection of both species. Biden also instructed the Government that he heads, to support Mexico in the tasks of combating the trafficking of the aforementioned species and to train the Mexican authorities in the event that they so request.

 In his letter, the US president explained that at the moment no trade sanctions would be imposed on Mexico for this matter, but he instructed his Administration to submit a report to him in July 2024 to decide whether or not to adopt restrictions.

 "The report will be used as a basis to assess whether additional measures are necessary, including possible trade restrictions," said President Biden, who also acknowledged that the government led by his counterpart Andrés Manuel López Obrador had taken some actions.

 However, the US president expressed the opinion in his letter that the government headed by the politician from Tabasco had to "do more" to protect both species or else "the totoaba population will continue to decline and the vaquita will soon become extinct."

 The United States Department of the Interior expressed its concern in May 2023 about "totoaba trafficking and the inadequate conservation" of said species. In February of the same year, the US Government considered that Mexico was violating the environmental chapter of the T-MEC.

 While the non-governmental organization Sea Shepherd, which works for the preservation of these species in collaboration with the governments of both countries, registered at the beginning of June 2023, the existence of between 10 and 13 specimens of vaquita porpoise.

 On June 24, 2023, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) of the Government of Mexico announced changes to the Zero Tolerance Zone polygon, where the vaquita and totoaba live, following a 79 percent reduction. percent of illegal fishing in that area.

 Through a statement, SEMARNAT informed that these modifications would be analyzed with the experience of the fishing sector and civil society, since the updating of the loading and unloading sites was also pending, as well as the schedules for the fishing activity.

 One of the changes was to expand the Zero Tolerance Zone to four kilometers "on two sides of the aforementioned polygon adjacent to the coastline so that in October of this year 216 cubes will be added to the 193 existing ones."

 As well as "strengthening operations with maritime, land and air patrols, with manned and unmanned units during the months of September and October corresponding to the shrimp fishing season."

 Similarly, SEMARNAT assured that these actions would be carried out by the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), under its supervision, in order to have scientific evidence of how the vaquita contributed to changes in the flow of the Colorado River and the salinization of the ecosystem.

 "It is expected to have evidence, through isotopes, of the environmental conditions to which the population of the vaquita has been historically subjected in the last seven or eight decades," said SEMARNAT, which also announced that it was working on a community project for the installation of a totoaba farm, so that said species could be commercialized and its illegal fishing could be avoided.

 On May 25, 2023, SEMARNAT announced that it was working on an action plan with seven lines and 34 goals, to prevent illegal fishing and trade in totoaba and protect the vaquita. 

 SEMARNAT indicated that said plan was approved by the General Secretariat of the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on April 13, 2023 and was immediately launched.

 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION WILL RESTORE FLORA AND FAUNA TRADE WITH MX,WITH PLAN TO PROTECT TOTOABA

 The General Secretariat of the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), approved the action plan presented by the Government of Mexico, to prevent illegal fishing and trade of totoaba, In addition to protecting the vaquita, as reported on April 13, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER).

 The fishing of this endemic fish of the Gulf of California, with a high value in Asian markets, has caused the incidental capture of the vaquita or cochito, a species of odontocete cetacean of the Phocoenidae family, one of the seven species of porpoise, which is about to become extinct.

 The prohibition fell on 3 thousand 148 species registered by the National Commission for the Knowledge and use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) before CITES, 2 thousand 513 of plants and 635 of animals. The Convention is an international agreement between 184 governments.

 According to his own description, CITES - which was signed in Washington, DC, on March 3, 1973, and entered into force on July 1, 1975 - has the purpose of ensuring that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants, does not constitute a threat to the survival of the species. 

 With this measure, the recommendation to member countries to suspend all trade with Mexico in species of flora and fauna included in its appendices will be withdrawn. The approval came after a delegation of representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (SRE), Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the Navy (SEMAR) and SADER, traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, on March 27, 2023. to hold a meeting with CITES representatives.

 At said meeting, the action plan was reviewed and adjusted according to the observations of said international organization. The endorsed plan considers compliance with all decisions and resolutions issued by CITES and contemplates seven lines of action and 34 goals, SADER said in a statement.

 Among the agreed lines of action are those of preventing the entry of vessels to the Zero Tolerance Zone (Zo) of the Upper Gulf of California, as well as keeping it free of gillnets and strengthening intelligence actions to combat organized crime. transnational that controls the illegal traffic of totoaba.

 Likewise, the plan of the Government of Mexico -approved by the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora- has the goals of installing long-range video surveillance, intensifying maritime, land and air patrols, and destroying networks found in ribbon.

 "Our country recognizes the willingness of CITES to work with the Mexican delegation and reiterates its commitment to the communities that inhabit the area of ​​the Upper Gulf of California to achieve their well-being and sustainable development, as well as to the families that sustainably use flora species. and fauna, helping to conserve our country's biodiversity," said SADER. 

 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION PROHIBITS FLORA AND FAUNA TRADE WITH MEXICO, FOR NOT PROTECTING THE TOTOABA

 The International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), prohibited, on March 27, 2023, all trade in flora and fauna with Mexico, due to the deficient Action Plan that the Mexican Federal Government presented, the February 27 of this year. to combat totoaba trafficking. 

 The fishing of this endemic fish of the Gulf of California, with a high value in Asian markets, has caused the incidental capture of the vaquita or cochito, a species of odontocete cetacean of the Phocoenidae family, one of the seven species of porpoise, which is about to become extinct. 

 The prohibition falls on 3,148 species registered by the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) before CITES, 2,513 of plants and 635 of animals. The Convention is an international agreement between 184 governments. 

 According to his own description, CITES - which was signed in Washington, DC, on March 3, 1973, and entered into force on July 1, 1975 - has the purpose of ensuring that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants, does not constitute a threat to the survival of the species. 

 Recognizing the ban, the Mexican Federal Government announced, on March 26, 2023, that it would send a delegation to Geneva, Switzerland, to meet with CITES representatives and the requested comments on its work plan.

 “The Government of Mexico considers an inequitable treatment towards our country by not taking into account the effort that has been made and that CITES has publicly recognized, but despite this, it is open to dialogue and willing to attend to the observations of that body. ", he claimed. 

 Through a joint communiqué, the secretariats of Foreign Affairs (SRE), Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the Navy (SEMAR) and Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), claimed the co-responsibility of the countries of transit and destination of totoaba trafficking, as well as international financing to combat it.

 “The Government of Mexico considers an inequitable treatment towards our country by not taking into account the effort that has been made and that CITES has publicly recognized, but despite this, it is open to dialogue and willing to attend to the observations of that body. ", he pointed.

 “Mexico showed its goodwill by submitting a preliminary version of the Action Plan in advance to receive comments, which were addressed in the final document. For its preparation, there was a broad participation of 10 institutions at the highest level that are committed to following up and complying with the actions proposed before the international instance, ”said the Mexican Government.

 "This resolution indicates that even though the CITES General Secretariat recognizes the commitment of our country, it considers that it does not have all the necessary elements for proper monitoring, which is why it issuing a recommendation to member countries to suspend all trade with Mexico of species included in its Appendices, which will remain in force until it receives an Action Plan that it deems appropriate," it detailed in its statement.

 “It is important to point out that in the problem of illegal totoaba trafficking there is an international co-responsibility of transit and destination countries. Likewise, it is necessary to comply with the offer of CITES to finance studies in attention to the Upper Gulf of California. The Government of Mexico reiterates its willingness to work together to reverse this decision and specifically address the specific issues that are required of it, "he concluded.

MEXICO PRESENTS PLAN AGAINST TOTOABA TRAFFICKING

The Government of Mexico delivered, on March 1, 2023, its action plan to combat totoaba trafficking, which it had promised to present to the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, for its acronym in English).

The plan is part of the measures requested to protect the vaquita in the Upper Gulf of California. According to a statement from the Ministry of the Environment (SEMARNAT), it was presented by the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations based in Geneva, Switzerland, with corrections to a first version delivered at the beginning of February. of 2023.

The Government of Mexico proposed among its lines of action to prevent the entry of vessels to the zero tolerance area in said region, as well as to keep it free of gillnets. Likewise, it undertook to monitor the effective compliance of the authorized loading and unloading sites, in addition to a program for marking and monitoring fishing equipment for small vessels.

The action plan also provides for the monitoring of the vaquita population, the establishment of a contact group for law enforcement, as well as financial intelligence to combat totoaba trafficking.

CITES, and other international organizations, had called on the Government of Mexico to urgently adopt more effective measures to curb totoaba trafficking and protect the vaquita.

The delivery of the action plan was agreed within the framework of the nineteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-19) and the 75th meeting of the Standing Committee (SC-75) of CITES, which were held in Panama in November 2022.

"The Action Plan, whose reception has already been confirmed, complies with the guidelines agreed at COP19, with the recommendations of SC75, and with the determinations of the report on the results of the Visit-Mission (carried out by a group of CITES experts )”, indicated SEMARNAT.

“Takes into account the considerations expressed by the international community in other forums and instruments of a regional and multilateral nature, with the purpose of generating synergies that allow strengthening the results of the actions that the Government of Mexico carries out in the Upper Gulf of California. ”, added the institution, whose owner is María Luisa Albores González.

THE TOTOABA CARTEL, WHICH AFFECTS VAQUITA MARINA, IS DISarticulated, SEMAR SAYS

Admiral José Rafael Ojeda Durán, head of the Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR), reported, on January 3, 2023, that they dismantled the Totoaba Cartel, which prevented the rescue actions of the vaquita marina in the Upper Gulf of California.

Likewise, the head of SEMAR pointed out that said criminal organization was engaged in the illegal trafficking of totoaba, a fish also known as "cocaine of the sea", whose crop is sold for up to 5 thousand dollars per kilo, from the coasts of Baja California to the Asian market.

In addition, during the presidential morning press conference -carried out from the Treasury Room of the National Palace-, the federal official added that the arrest of seven elements of said Cartel was achieved and they are already in prison.

“In the upper Gulf of California, in front of San Felipe, there was a cartel called the Totoaba Cartel. The totoaba was linked to the issue of the vaquita porpoise, and it was possible to dismantle that cartel, seven elements were arrested, who are already in prison, "explained Ojeda Durán.

According to the admiral, in view of this and to rescue said mammal, SEMAR carries out permanent surveillance and monitoring in the zero tolerance zone, as well as maritime and air patrols. Ojeda Durán also indicated that the recovery of gillnets was implemented, the installation of the 'Rinus' radar and the arrest of the leader of the Cartel del Mar.

In addition, it revealed the total seizures that were carried out in the area, from 2019 to 2022, of which the following stood out: 744 nets recovered and 142 thousand lengths of nets recovered. Regarding inspections, the following was registered: 2 thousand 42 vessels; 12 thousand 314 small vessels; 6 thousand 539 vehicles; 39 thousand 500 people; and 37 facilities or warehouses.

“It is an action that is carried out with various dependencies. Collaboration agreements were signed and the culture of denunciation was promoted", emphasized the head of SEMAR, regarding the relationship with institutions such as the National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA), as well as the secretariats of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) and Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT)."

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Hmmmmmm......gosh, I heard there weren't any  totoabas or vaquitas left in the northern Sea of Cortez, that they are history. Has anyone heard of the Cartel del Mar? Are they the guys shrimping in the contaminated water in front of us ? When were all of these arrests and seizures ? Anyone ? Truth is, AMLO no matter what he says, is simply not an environmentalist, he never has been.

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Update/edit: Adding this:

 ~ From The Animal Welfare Institute

Press Release: 07/17/2023

President Biden Declines to Embargo Products From Mexico For Vaquita Violation

For Immediate Release, July 17, 2023 

 Contact: Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institute, margie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128 Sarah Uhlemann, Center for Biological Diversity, suhlemann@biologicaldiversity.org, (206) 327-2344 Alejandro Olivera, Center for Biological Diversity, aolivera@biologicaldiversity.org, +52 (612) 104 0604 (en español)

 Biden Declines to Embargo Products From Mexico Despite Vaquita Violation

 Critical Tool Could Have Helped Save Imperiled Species 

 "WASHINGTON— President Biden announced today that he will not embargo products from Mexico despite the country’s failure to halt illegal wildlife trade threatening the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. The decision responds to the U.S. Interior Department’s recent certification under the U.S. Pelly Amendment that Mexico has “diminished the effectiveness” of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora by not stopping the illegal fishing and trade of totoaba, an endangered fish poached for its swim bladder.

 The Pelly Amendment authorizes the president to act, including by imposing trade sanctions, against countries determined to be violating international conservation treaties such as CITES. Instead of issuing sanctions today, Biden called for a high-level dialogue between the United States and Mexico on protecting the vaquita from trafficking and directed U.S. agencies to reassess Mexico’s efforts by July 2024 with the potential for trade sanctions at that time.

 “I’m disappointed in the U.S. government for doing so little to save vaquitas from extinction," said Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “These are the rarest marine mammals in the world, and yet the United States has let the Mexican government off the hook again. Mexico has a long, painful history of failed promises on protecting these little porpoises. The United States needs to apply the strongest pressure and ban seafood from Mexico until there’s real enforcement on illegal fishing in their habitat. The last 10 vaquitas are at stake.”

 The vaquita is the world’s most critically endangered porpoise, with as few as 10 to 13 animals remaining. Vaquita become entangled in illegal gillnets set to catch totoaba, shrimp and other species in Mexico’s Upper Gulf of California. Totoaba swim bladders are trafficked primarily to China, where they are sold at exorbitant prices to make soup with purported medicinal benefits.

 For decades, Mexico has failed to adequately enforce its fishing and wildlife trade laws in the Upper Gulf, causing the vaquita to decline from nearly 600 animals in 1997 to only around a dozen today.

 “Seven years ago, Mexico promised the United States that it would permanently ban the use of gillnets in all fisheries throughout the vaquita’s range,” said Zak Smith, director of global biodiversity conservation at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Today, gillnets are still routinely used in vaquita habitat and the species’ population has plummeted to around 10 individuals. The United States should be using all the tools at its disposal, including an embargo on targeted products, to compel Mexico to meet its international obligations and save the species.”

 In 2014, in response to Mexico’s failures, conservationists petitioned the Interior Department to certify Mexico under the Pelly Amendment. In May 2023, after nine years and a federal lawsuit filed by conservation groups, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland certified that Mexican nationals are diminishing the effectiveness of CITES by “engaging in taking and trade of the totoaba fish and the related incidental take of vaquita.” Following such certification, the Pelly Amendment required the president to decide whether to embargo Mexican wildlife products to prompt Mexico’s compliance. “With only a dozen vaquita remaining, the Biden administration must remain vigilant, and ensure that Mexico does not continue to evade its CITES responsibilities,” said DJ Schubert, a wildlife biologist at the Animal Welfare Institute. “We believe that strong sanctions against Mexico are warranted, and we will continue to demand that the United States exercise all options to ensure Mexico does everything in its power to save the vaquita. The U.S. public will not tolerate our government being complicit in the extinction of a species.”

 Although some evidence suggests a reduction in illegal fishing in the “zero tolerance area” — core vaquita habitat — recent reports show illegal fishing continues in the Upper Gulf, including in the vaquita refuge and gillnet prohibition area. Mexico’s September 2020 regulations, which were supposed to meaningfully address illegal fishing, have not been fully implemented or enforced. Without the removal of illegal gillnets from the entire vaquita habitat, the species will – at best – remain on the brink of extinction."

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  Meanwhile,you've probably already heard or read about this one. 

Nightie night y'all.

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P.S. I am being told there will be about a six months recovery time period...so maybe next year?

Lower Trestles, end of last month...watch out for the ShARks !

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