Hostility and Unrest in San Felipe
Report from the crews of the JOHN PAUL DEJORIA and the FARLEY MOWAT in the Sea of Cortez
The Arrest of Sunshine Rodriguez
An arrest was made for Sunshine Antonio Rodriguez Peña in Mexicali, Mexico on the afternoon of November 24. Sunshine has been associated with illegal fishing of Totoaba in the Sea of Cortez and is the leader of the fishermen’s association in San Felipe. As a part of Operation Milagro IV, a Sea Shepherd campaign charged with removing Totoaba fishing nets in defense of the Vaquita Porpoise, our vessels M/V Farley Mowat and M/V John Paul DeJoria are currently anchored in the harbor of San Felipe.
The Federal Attorney of Mexico (PGR) has not yet released any details as to Sunshine’s detainment. He has been under investigation with charges related to the drug cartel and Totoaba poachers for a long time. According to local fishermen, Sunshine was driving with his family when he was pulled over for neglecting to have a license plate on his vehicle. They searched the vehicle and found 1 kg of methamphetamine. Sunshine and his wife were then arrested by the PGR before being flown to Mexico City for further investigation. The people of San Felipe believe that those who arrested Sunshine also planted the drugs into his vehicle.
In solidarity with Sunshine, and to demand the release of their leader, the fishing community decided to protest his arrest and block the road entrance to San Felipe. A Federal Inspector with the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA) was trying to avoid the roadblock when he evacuated his vehicle and escaped the scene. His car, as photographed here, was set on fire by protesters. In hopes of adding more pressure to the Mexican government, protesters are proceeding to Mexicali to rally outside of the airport and the Federal Attorney’s office.
Sunshine often speaks up against Sea Shepherd. We are considered the reason that the fishing industry has crashed in San Felipe. And when people boycotted shrimp in 2016, he blamed Sea Shepherd even though we had no involvement.
Because of these accusations, our crew in San Felipe is unsafe and under threat. At the start of 2017 during Milagro III, Sunshine wrote Sea Shepherd on a panga between PROFEPA and CONAPESCA and set it on fire, threatening that he would burn Sea Shepherd vessels. He has frequently threatened our volunteers. Still, we are not going anywhere. We are here to stay as we all feel very strongly that the Vaquitas are more important to us than anything else.
We will keep you updated as the story progresses.
Photo: The angry fishermen destroyed this truck owned by the National Commission of Agriculture and Fisheries
