### Governor and Congress Oppose Commercial Release of Dorado Fish
**By TJGringo Staff**
**September 3, 2024**
In response to a new push to open dorado fish for commercial fishing, the Governor of Baja California Sur, Víctor Castro Cosío, along with the local Congress, have voiced their strong opposition. The governor emphasized the crucial role of marine species reserved for sport fishing, among them, the dorado.
Governor Castro Cosío stressed that any initiative allowing the commercial exploitation of these species would cause significant harm to the tourism industry in Baja California Sur. He stated they have the support of the President of the Republic, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and the president-elect, Claudia Sheinbaum, in resisting this move.
“This is a request I have supported for years; I’ve discussed it with her, and she agrees. Andrés Manuel has also expressed his opposition. The commercial release of dorado fishing won’t be an issue; it would be detrimental to sport fishing in Baja California Sur,” said Castro Cosío.
Echoing the governor’s sentiments, Luis Armando Díaz, a member of the Partido del Trabajo (PT) and a federal deputy-elect, also spoke against the proposal in the XVI Legislature of the State Congress. He expressed concerns over attempts to amend the General Law on Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Díaz called on both State and Federal Governments to join public demonstrations opposing the initiative targeting the commercial exploitation of species protected and reserved for sport fishing.
“This would hurt the economy of the people of Baja California Sur, as sport fishing is essential for our tourism sector,” Díaz asserted.
He highlighted that Baja California Sur is the leading destination in Mexico for sport fishing, attracting thousands of tourists annually. Key species such as dorado, marlin, roosterfish, sailfish, and swordfish are reserved exclusively for this purpose.
The Mexican Foundation for the Conservation of Billfish pointed out that Article 68 of the General Law of Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture reserves species like marlin and dorado solely for sport fishing, stressing that they cannot be exploited for other activities except research.
The foundation noted that over 580 species are already open for commercial fishing, while the number of species available for sport fishing remains limited.
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### Additional News on Fishery Legislation
Following the ongoing debate over the commercial release of dorado fish, more stakeholders within the fishing and tourism industries have come forward with their concerns. Environmental organizations and local business owners have underscored the importance of safeguarding species critical to Baja California Sur’s sport fishing sector.
The Society for the Conservation of Marine Life stated that allowing commercial fishing for species like the dorado would disrupt marine ecosystems and endanger fish populations vital to both biodiversity and tourism.
In a recent symposium held in La Paz, experts discussed the potential economic and environmental impacts of such legislation. Many underscored that sustainable fishing practices should be prioritized to maintain the health of marine ecosystems and the economic benefits derived from them.
The General Law on Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture remains a focal point for legislative battles, with various groups lobbying to ensure that the balance between commercial interests and environmental sustainability is maintained.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to TJGringo.com.