Personnel from the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) rescued two sea lions between Espiritu Santo Island and San Rafaelito Lighthouse, in Baja California Sur, injured by fishing nets that became entangled in their necks.
In response to the complaint from tourism service providers, the agency’s staff activated the Marine Mammal Stranding Network to care for the specimens with the support of the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) and the organizations Marine Megafauna and Fisheries (MMAPE), Marine Wildlife Rescue Center and Cabo Dolphin, with whom they went to the vicinity of the sea lion colonies.
On Espiritu Santo Island, three specimens were found that had scars on their necks that had already healed and no traces of nets.
Meanwhile, at the San Rafaelito Lighthouse, two sea lions were found that had nets stuck around their necks, so they proceeded to remove them. Both returned to their ecosystem.
Since 2017, environmental conservation groups have been requesting that all coastal rocky reefs in the Espíritu Santo National Park be protected, since only 1.4% of the total area is under federal surveillance, and therefore sport fishing and underwater fishing are still allowed, leaving nets, traps and trash that endanger the ecology of the reefs and the life of its fauna.
According to the organization Espíritu Santo Te necesita, fishing nets abandoned by those who practice it have endangered dozens of humpback whales and sea lions that were injured or died after getting entangled.
The non-governmental organization (NGO) reported that reports of entanglement are made almost all year round, mostly by tourism service providers or coastal fishermen, but they increase during high tourism and sport fishing seasons or by boats.
Injuries range from hanging, serious injuries, amputation and death.
Source: pulsoslp
