Sea Shepherd Assaulted !!!

I am not relating our personal experiences in this post, but rather that of those supporting the survival of the critically endangered Vaquita (little cow).  So what’s a Vaquita?  The worlds smallest porpoise!  In 1997 approximately 600 remained, by March 2018 less than 2 dozen.  The only known vaquita are found in the Sea of Cortez in the ‘protected’ zone north of San Felipe.

Today’s estimate is just over a dozen. Not discovered until 1958 the vaquita is the world’s rarest marine mammal.  Captive breeding has failed for these delicate creatures. 


What/Who is the Sea Shepherd?  The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization.  Although they operate worldwide, Fran and I focus on their efforts in the Sea of Cortez.  We have toured their boat, met the – all volunteer – crew, invited them to the San Felipe beach house.  I’ve mentioned them a couple times in the blog HERE and HERE.

What follows was published in USA Today, and likely is copyrighted by them.  I’m posting it here without their permission but fully acknowledge their original article which can be found HERE.

By: Pete Thomas | January 10, 2019 1:18 pm
The crew of a Sea Shepherd vessel fell under a prolonged assault Wednesday by poachers inside the Vaquita Refuge in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez.

The accompanying footage shows dozens of angry fishermen in pangas, or skiffs, racing alongside Sea Shepherd’s ship, M/V Farley Mowat, hurling objects and attempting to foul the ship’s propellers with nets.  [a couple minute video from the USA Today article is at the link below]

https://youtu.be/CTMnwr63LIM

Sea Shepherd for months has been patrolling the northern portion of the gulf, removing gillnets set illegally by fishermen in the hope of catching totoaba, a type of croaker.

Totoaba bladders are sold on the black market in China for up to $10,000 per bladder, and illegal fishing operations in the Sea of Cortez are directed, in part, by Mexican drug cartels.


Nets used to catch totoaba are a threat to critically endangered vaquita porpoises, endemic to the northern gulf. Mexico has banned gillnet fishing and allows Sea Shepherd to patrol the refuge as part of an effort to save the vaquita from becoming extinct. (The vaquita population may number fewer than 30 animals.)

Sea Shepherd said in a news release issued late Wednesday that the tense incident, which involved 35 pangas and ultimately the Mexican Navy, began at 1:20 p.m.



Part of the news release reads:

“The Sea Shepherd ship approached the skiffs where obvious illegal poaching was taking place, as totoaba fishing gear was detected being loaded into a skiff.
“At this point, one of the skiffs began circling the Sea Shepherd vessel, which was soon joined by the remainder of other skiffs. The M/V Farley Mowat was ambushed and overwhelmed by more than 35 skiffs, many containing gillnets.
“The poachers attacked by hurling lead weights, anchors, trash, dead fish and even Tabasco sauce at the vessel and its wheelhouse windows in addition to threatening ship’s crew with Molotov cocktails, spraying gasoline at the ship and pouring gas in the sea around the vessel.
“Poachers then dropped an illegal gillnet in front of the bow of the moving Sea Shepherd vessel in an attempt to foul the ship’s propellers. Five agitated poachers illegally boarded the M/V Farley Mowat and looted multiple objects from the vessel’s deck while it was temporarily immobilized.”

Sea Shepherd crew used fire hoses to keep poachers from entering the ship, while calls for assistance are made. Navy sailors stationed on the ship were under orders not to fire on the fishermen.


The fishermen began to disperse as a Navy helicopter arrived overhead. As the M/V Farley Mowat got under way, after its propellers were cleared of netting, the vessel was met by a Navy ship and the situation was under control. It was not clear if any arrests were made, or if anyone was injured.

Stated Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson: “Sea Shepherd will not be deterred by violence. Our mission is to prevent the extinction of the vaquita porpoise and we will continue to seize the nets of poachers in the Vaquita Refuge. Sea Shepherd salutes the quick responsiveness of the Mexican Navy in defusing a dangerous situation.”

<end USA Today article>

A personal comment – it was only a couple years ago the Sea Shepherd abandoned its charter to save the vaquita, to save the crew of a panga setting the illegal nets when those intense San Felipe winds suddenly came up.  They were heroes then!

Fran and I not only support their efforts with words and actions, we also contribute to their efforts to save the vaquita for our grand-kids to enjoy.

I'd normally say No Bad Days - but the vaquitas may disagree.  What do you think?

San Diego Waterfront - and the Sea Shepard

Marty joined Fran and me as we headed down to the San Diego Waterfront to check out the Sand Sculpting Challenge.  Unlike the Imperial Beach Sand Castles, these international sculptors do not have a time limit for their creations.  And with $60,000 in first place prize money at stake they take their time.

Despite FREE street parking for the Labor Day holiday, the paid lots on the waterfront were nearly full.  Maybe there are still a lot of tourists in town.



There were a lot more vendors than there have been in past years.  Altho their workmanship is good, even unique, I didn’t think a hummingbird shaped wind chime was worth the $115 asking price.


Using old spoons for the blossoms on the saguaro sculpture was a a new-to-me idea.


But we did not spend much time with the vendors, we are here for the artwork of the 12 invited participants.


The competition was held inside the pavilion on the Broadway Pier.  Upon entry the first sculpture was a tribute to Sudan the last male white rhino that died earlier this year.  Each of the displays also includes a brief bio on the artist, but lacks a description of the art itself.




I like the dove being held in the palm of the hands, indicating that peace is within our grasp … or something like that.



This year's winner was an angel.  Not a bad week's work for Tom Koet, raised in the Netherlands, who now calls Malborne, FL home.  He also won here last year and was the world champion in 2010.


There is a nice large sandbox for the kids to create their own works. The sand used is not typical soft beach sand, but a more coarse and sticky construction sand.


The USS Midway is adjacent to Broadway Pier,  Altho we’ve all been here before, we decided to take advantage of the Bay Access Pass which is FREE, but you have to ask for them at the ticket window.  The pass provides access to the fore-deck not the exhibits.


Brothers on the fore-deck.


The Sea Shepherd was back in town.  The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society mission is to protect the habitat and wildlife of the world's oceans.  This specific boat patrols the Gillnet Exclusion Zone in the northern Sea of Cortez.  They look for and destroy illegal nets in an effort to protect the vaquita, the worlds smallest porpoise, most endangered, that call this area home.


We took a tour of the Sea Shepherd.  It can support a crew of 18, with seating for 12 in the small galley, where we had an overview of their mission.  They serve only vegan dishes, which was a surprise.



Captain Bob is the only paid member of the crew,  all others are volunteers including our tour guides Tracy (from England) and Volcy (from France) both on their first sea mission.


On the way home we stopped for a late lunch at Point Loma Seafoods.  Fran and I usually split the fish sandwich and today added a side of their tasty crab cakes.


While sitting upstairs enjoying lunch at Point Loma Sea Foods, we note a Biergarten has taken over the old harbor repair facility.

As if we have not already eaten enough we decide to wander over to check out Eppig Brewing.


Even on this overcast day it was nice to enjoy their outdoor seating.



We opted for a tasting, all of them were ok, but as you can see the Fest (German Festival) was the favorite


We were entertained by a little aquatic aviation while tasting on the deck at Eppig.


Certainly enjoying my younger brother’s visit, there have been No Bad Days!