Faulty Mexican Plan Foils San Diego Fleet

A misguided plan to protect the threatened giant manta rays might be why Mexico has ignored applications from San Diego’s long-range fleet for permits to fish the Revillagigedo Islands this winter.

After months of seeking a response, Bob Fletcher, president of the Sportfishing Assn. of California, said he was finally made aware of the manta ray concerns while meeting before Christmas with government officials in Mexico City.

“They have created a special protected area six miles out from each island for species that are listed as threatened or endangered, including near-shore tropical reef fishes--one example is the Clarion angel fish--and also the giant manta ray,” Fletcher said Tuesday. “We said we couldn’t live with staying six miles outside those islands.”

The four-island group is 220 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas and holds the world’s best population of yellowfin tuna.

Fletcher said the problem might have started in 1993, when videos of Mexican gill-netters taking manta rays were shown on TV in Mexico. Outraged environmentalists apparently persuaded the government to impose the six-mile limit--but nobody was inclined to tell the American sportfishermen until new President Ernesto Zedillo took office Dec. 1.

Fletcher said Mexico is continuing a process started by previous President Carlos Salinas de Gortari to develop a new sportfishing plan. A representative of the sportfishing association--probably long-time consultant Barney Thompson, who is bilingual--will be allowed to sit in. The deadline is June 5, which worries Fletcher that nothing will happen before this season dissolves in the spring.

Meanwhile, he hopes to return to Mexico City next month to appeal the six-mile limit.

“We could make a very solid argument that we in no way impact giant manta rays,” Fletcher said. “Our hook-and-line fishing gear is not like nets. In this appeal, we also will suggest as an alternative a quarter-mile closure, or that we could stay outside 25 fathoms, which is deeper than any of those tropical fish live. Our target species are yellowfin tuna and wahoo, and both species are in excellent health.”

Fletcher said that, with customers bailing out, the long-range fleet already has lost 15 of its 43 scheduled trips to the Revillagigedos, “and every day that goes by is the potential for losing another.”

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Starting Sunday, a California angler can use two rods at once on lakes and reservoirs--if he has a special $7.90 stamp on the back of the regular fishing license. The purpose is to enhance catching opportunities and Department of Fish and Game revenue.

“Trout are often near the surface during these cold months in pursuit of shad, and anglers owning a two-rod stamp will be able to put bait on one rod and work a lure with the other to see what brings the most action,” said Neil Manji, a Department of Fish and Game fishery biologist in Redding.

As before, only one rod will be allowed on rivers and streams, and the daily trout limit remains at five per person.

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Trevor Oudin was catching fish almost before he could walk or talk, and now he really has something to talk about.

Oudin, the 13-year-old son of Doug Oudin, the harbor master at Two Harbors on Santa Catalina Island, was on his first fishing trip to Cabo San Lucas this month when he hooked into a 383-pound blue marlin. Oudin, who weighs 95 pounds, fought the fish for 2 1/2 hours as it came to leader three times before the line snagged on either the propeller or rudder.

However, the line continued to run, so it was retrieved with a gaff hook, cut and retied onto the reel as Trevor’s father and uncle, Dave Oudin, took over for the next two hours until the fish came alongside for the last time and rolled belly up. Past the point of being released, it was donated to the Ponga fleet.

Ten minutes after docking, Trevor, ignoring blisters and aching muscles, was catching and releasing small jack and permit fish from the pier.

Briefly

SLED-DOG RACING--Snow conditions appear good for the second annual Mammoth Mushing Classic at Sierra Meadows Ranch near Mammoth Lakes Saturday and Sunday. Races start at 9:30 a.m., weight-pulling contests at 12:30 both days. Admission is free.

HUNTING--California’s black bear season, initially scheduled to run until Christmas Day, was closed Dec. 21, when the limit of 1,500 was reported. The total was expected to reach about 1,700 before word reached hunters in the field, the Department of Fish and Game said.

BOATING--BOAT/U.S. warns boaters to be careful in January, the most dangerous month. While accidents are down because of less boating activity, statistics from 1993 show that 32% of the accidents in January resulted in one or more fatalities, compared to 6-7% in June, July and August. The critical factor is cold water that induces hypothermia.