On Friday, July 16th, the “Forum on the Modification of Article 68 of the General Law of Fisheries” was held in an effort to find a balance between commercial and sport fishing interests. The modification of the law deals with the possibility of opening comercial fishing of Mahi-Mahi (Dorado) to artisanal fishermen.

Councilman José Luis Marcos León Perea, hoping to reach an inclusive decision, coordinated the event that attracted representatives from the tourism, fisheries, and science sectors, as well as local and federal authorities. Representatives from each sector were able to present their positions about the species and these were debated in the meeting of the Fisheries Commission.

The prized fish can be found in many fishmarkets as well as on the menus of many restaurants.
(Photo: Ernesto Bolado Martínez)

The tourist sector defended the position that for each Mahi-Mahi caught, $2,000 is generated for the economy.

The artisanal fishermen, with help from other presentations, argued that there are enough Mahi-Mahi for everybody, and that it is unfair that only a few benefit from their capture.

The scientific sector cited statistics and hard data in defending their proposals for reaching sustainability, and for reducing environmental impacts.

Thanks to the differing points of view presented at the forum, diverse conclusions about the capture of Mahi-Mahi were generated and it is hoped that the results released by the Fisheries Comission will reflect all of the opinions presented and that the decision made will benefit all sectors involved.

Well aware of the amount of work that the muncipal waste management professionals face every day makes one appreciate the important role that individuals   play   in  the  conser-
vation of natural resources and in reducing energy consumption and contamination.

In the municipality of Guaymas, PASA, S.A. (roughly translated to Environmental Services Inc.) deals with life’s daily waste products. PASA looks for sustainable solutions while trying to spread an ecology-based culture in the local schools in order to spark environmental awareness.

PASA provides the community with residential and commerical trash collection and also operates a sanitary landfill. Still lacking in Guaymas are a number of essential services common to coastal     communities, among these     transfer      stations      for

The sea was calm and as the sun went down, the sky began to change, taking on the warm colors of a typical sunset over the port of Guaymas.

Fireworks, games, painting exhibits, dance and music could be found in the streets throughout the city, in celebration of the battle that occurred more 100 years ago when the port was defended against pirates.

Suddenly something captured the attention of the men and women of Guaymas: a shout was heard from behind the cathedral of San Fernando right in the very center of the port. It was Don Pancho “El Tata” entering the stage. Full of joy, he went on to tell the story of why that day was so special.

Next, Ecomar’s puppet theatre troupe began a live show. They brought with them such characters as Don Pancho, Lili, Anita, Paquito, Conchión, and a group of animals emblematic of the Gulf of California region.

With their performance, the group gave new meaning to the battle for the Guaymas coast. They highlighted the fight for the defense of traditional activities that shouldn’t be allowed to disappear, for the flora and fauna of the region, for endemic and threatened species and above all, for the coastline of the Sea of Cortez.

The sanitary landfill is located in the outskirts of Guaymas. It has huge mountains of waste and a terrible odor, in spite of chemicals used to decrease the stench.