Is Fishing Dispute Ecological or Political?

Whether Mexico’s refusal to grant permits to allow San Diego’s long-range fleet to visit the Revillagigedo Islands--the world’s most prolific fishing grounds for giant yellowfin tuna--stems from political reasons or from a genuine attempt to protect the area it recently designated as a marine reserve is a matter of conjecture.

But one thing is certain: It is not based on the most recent biological data.

Dr. James Joseph, director of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, last year stated that the tuna stocks off southern Mexico are in excellent shape.

In a letter to Tedd Dunn of LoPreste-Dunn Sportfishing at Fisherman’s Landing, Joseph said:

“Studies demonstrate that at present and over the last several years the abundance of yellowfin tuna is the highest it has been in the history of the fishery.”

The letter continued that the resource could easily sustain any pressure put on it by the long-range fleet.

The IATTC, a research and management organization based in La Jolla, has studied yellowfin stocks for 42 years.

Some boat owners have suggested that the passage of Proposition 187 was a factor in Mexico’s refusal to grant the permits. Others say the United States’ embargo on Mexican tuna--because of the dolphin-killing issue--is partially responsible.

Mexico maintains that it merely wants the offshore region protected from all fishermen, American or otherwise. It has expressed concerns over the poaching of small tropical fish such as those sold for use in aquariums, although it has not accused the long-rangers of poaching.

In any case, fishermen hoping for the annual monstrous tuna fix remain out of luck, and landing operators are feeling the pinch.

There are six boats that schedule trips to the islands every year. The boats carry an average of 28-30 people who pay $4,000-$5,000 apiece for the 17-day trips.

Three landings have 45 trips scheduled this year. Some are running now, going elsewhere off Mexico. But nowhere else do tuna that weigh from 100 to 400 pounds thrive as they do at the island chain. The fishermen aren’t biting.

“I lost four people (because of cancellations) this morning, and that’s going to cost me $12,000, so yes, it’s hurting,” said Frank LoPreste, owner of the Royal Star and Royal Polaris.

To LoPreste and his colleagues, Mexico’s decision doesn’t make sense. After each trip, most of the customers are dropped off in Cabo San Lucas, where they spend a few days and more than a few dollars before flying home to meet their boat--and their fish--in San Diego.

“We introduce people to Mexico, and they fall in love with the place,” said Bob Fletcher, president of the Sportfishing Assn. of California, which so far has been arguing such points to no avail. “I know of people on our boats who have bought condominiums in Cabo San Lucas.” One problem this year has been the change in presidents and administrations in Mexico City. Both the outgoing and incoming administrations have had other issues to deal with.

But Fletcher is optimistic that this issue can be resolved before the long holiday break. One reason is the announcement Tuesday that fisheries undersecretary Carlos Camacho Gaos is being retained by new fisheries secretary Julia Carrabias Lillo. Camacho has been receptive to the long-rangers’ concerns in previous disputes.

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Cor Stoop can smile again.

According to the Associated Press, the Amsterdam fisherman lost his false teeth when he leaned overboard during a bout of seasickness on a North Sea fishing trip last September.

He got them back last week after another fisherman landed a 19-pound cod--with the teeth inside.

“It’s unbelievable but true,” tackle shop owner Hugo Slamat said after returning the dentures to their owner.

Slamat was cleaning the cod when he noticed something in its stomach. “I turned it over with the tip of my knife--and then I saw the teeth,” he said.

He showed them to a skipper of an Amsterdam sportfisher and the skipper said the person who lost the teeth had been fishing on his boat.

“It’s an unbelievable coincidence,” Slamat said.

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The Orange County sportfishing community is getting behind an effort to make Christmas special for about 300 “special-needs” anglers--mostly handicapped and abused children.

Karen Akana and Elsie Maurizi at Davey’s Locker in Newport Beach are heading the effort and said canned goods, clothing and toys are filling barrels set up there and at Gary Hill’s Fuel Dock, Bongo’s Sportfishing and Newport Landing--all in Newport Beach. Details: (714) 673-1434 or (714) 642-4498; or (714) 645-1736 after 7 p.m.