FROM A FRIEND...
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Facts on Honduran Shrimp Trawlers in Belize: TOTAL MADNESS
Shrimp trawling by-catch runs from 4:1 to 13:1, that is
4-13 pounds of
"trash fish" to 1 pound of shrimp (whole). One man's
"by-catch" is another
man's "fish-kill".
Belize shrimp fleet fights over 250,000 pounds of shrimp
per year (officially reported) whereas Nova shrimp farms
can produce the same amount in one week!!!!
There are three Belizean "owned" shrimp boats and 3 or 4
more from Honduras are officially permitted to trawl in
Belize; the three share their catch,about 15-20%, with the
cooperatives that do not own a shrimp boat.
Studies suggest that a max of 6 boats should be allowed in
order not to go beyond the sustainable level of the shrimp
population. One common practice is for
the captain to keep the small shrimp for himself.
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Now isn't that a sad state of affairS? madda fya, INDEED.
If a trawler takes in 500 pounds of permit, what is the
penalty? None, right. Or if they take is 500 pounds of
Nassau Grouper just off Stan Creek behind the reef? Nada.
No cries from the hug-a-grouper group or the enforcement
authorities. Ooops. Thats all you hear. But if a fisherman
is caught taking group in December he's jailed.
If a trawler takes in a turtle. Ooooops!! But no
enforcement. What a catastrophic double standard that
penalizes our working poor subsistence fisherman!!!
I don't get it with these God forsaken Honduran Trawlers
that fly the Northen Fishermen Flag. Its like shooting
themselves in their own feet with a series of foreign
flagged trawler inside our reef...RAKING AND SCRAPING
EVERYTHING. Inside our barrier reef for Christ's Sake. No
wonder they have no problems voting with Japan for shooting
Whales.
OUR AUTHORITIES APPROVED THIS????? YOU BET!!!!!!
ABSOLUTE MADNESS RULES THE DAY.