Area 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)

Overview

The penshell fishery in Sonora began to develop in the 1950s. The interest in this marine resource has been increasing during the last few decades because penshells are considered a seafood delicacy, its price during 2021 on the beach was 29 to 35 USD

Excessive fishing since the 1970s led to a drastic reduction in catch volumes. The local extinction of specific banks hampered the natural recovery of the species. Overexploitation of penshells has occurred mainly due to poor regulation, open access and over-capitalization of fishing effort. To ensure sustainable management of this resource, producers needed to look for alternatives to reverse the crisis that is happening in the fishery. Since 2014, the cooperative Ecopescadores in Bahía de Kino has implemented a “Integrated Management Zone” project for the penshell (Atrina tuberculosa). This project includes tenure through an aquaculture development concession, encompassing an area of 25.91 ha in Kino Bay, Sonora. In addition, the producers defined three fishing management tools that are used within the concession area. The tools are: 1) refuge areas (no-fishing areas) accounting for 30.5% of total area, 2) fishing zone (managed by quotas-MCC) with 32%, and 3) the area of restoration (marine culture) with 37.5%, where larvae will be captured from the environment and penshell growth will occur through farming on the seabed.

The producers wish to implement a Fishery Improvement Project with an enhanced  catch and grow fishery (CAG) sistem  that reinforces this management zone, brings access to better markets, and improves both fishermen’s lifestyle and scallop stock.

This FIP is going to comprehensive (2022-2026)

The penshell fishery in Sonora began to develop in the 1950s.

FIP at a Glance

View current status
April 01, 2020
25% 43% 32%
Progress Rating (A) Advanced Progress

Reserved for comprehensive FIPs that have achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within the past 12 months.

(B) Good Progress

A basic FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within 12 months.

(C) Some Recent Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months that has never achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result but has reported a Stage 3 activity within the first 12 months.
(D) Some Past Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months BUT has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old AND a Stage 3 activity has been reported within six months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
(E) Negligible Progress
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old, with no Stage 3 activity reported in the last six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months with no Stage 3 activity reported within 12 months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.

The ratings are currently derived by SFP from publicly available data on FIP websites, including FisheryProgress.org, and are determined using the following methodology: View PDF
C Some Recent Progress
Actions Complete

This pie chart represents completed environmental actions. Non-completed environmental actions may contain completed sub-tasks that are not illustrated here. For more information on environmental action progress visit the Actions Progress tab.
  • Complete
  • Incomplete
Next Update Due FisheryProgress requires a FIP to provide update reports every six months, and two missed reports will render the FIP inactive. If a report is overdue, this date will appear red.
May 2024
Target End Date
Aug 2026
Additional Impacts:
TraceabilityEcosystem

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C.
Organization Type 
NGO
Primary Contact 
Raziel Hernández
Email 
rhernandez@cobi.org.mx
Website Name 
COBI
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
9407

Overview

Shrimp in the northwest Pacific coast of Mexico, including the Gulf of California, is the most important fishery in México. It has the highest economic value of landings, averaging $340 million. It is also the highest ranked fishery in terms of number of vessels (750 bottom trawlers and about 16,000 small-scale vessels) and number of direct jobs (37,000 direct jobs and 75,000 indirect ones). It places third in terms of volume with annual landings of approximately 42,000 tons during a season that begins in September and runs through March. The small-scale shrimp fishery in the Gulf of California contributes to these figures with annual landings of 16,000 tons, of which, 10,600 are produced in the Sonora-Sinaloa corridor.

Sustainability  Challenges:

According to the National Fisheries Institute, the fishery is at the maximum sustainable yield, therefore, the management strategies are designed to maintain the reproductive biomass, protect the offspring, and avoid an increase the fishing effort. However, the absence of an updated, robust and publicly available stock assessment impedes confirming whether or not the harvest strategy and control rules in place are effective.

Regarding the environmental performance of the fishing gear, there is publicly available information on the chinchorro de linea and Suripera environmental impacts. There is no publicly available information for the bottom trawl used by the small-scale producers.

Other concerns related to the management system include the operation of non-authorized vessels and the use of fishing gears with a different configuration to that required by the regulatory framework.

Shrimp in the northwest Pacific coast of Mexico, including the Gulf of California, is the most important fishery in México. It has the highest economic value of landings, averaging $340 million. It is also the highest ranked fishery in terms of number of vessels (750 bottom trawlers and about 16,000 small-scale vessels) and number of direct jobs (37,000 direct jobs and 75,000 indirect ones). It places third in terms of volume with annual landings of approximately 42,000 tons during a season that begins in September and runs through March.

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Eastern Fish Company
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Eric Bloom
Email 
ebloom@easternfish.com
Website Name 
Eastern Fish
Organization Name 
Meridian Products
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Rick Martin
Email 
rmartin@redchamber.com
Website Name 
Meridian Products
Organization Name 
Ocean Garden
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Lance Leonard
Email 
lleonard@oceangarden.net
Website Name 
Ocean Garden
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
9275

Overview

An octopus FIP is being carried out in the Gulf of California, Mexico with the main objective of making the fishery sustainable. This fishery covers the region known as Bahia de Los Angeles (BLA), inside natural protected areas. The octopus fishery is the most important for the local community and the fishermen have traditionally caught the octopus by gleaning, free diving and using traps. The catch of octopus in BLA represents the 90% of the total octopus catch in Baja California State and it is a fishery with high value and great potential for commercialization.

Update September 2021: This progress report corresponds to the results of the new version of the Octopus FIP workplan which arose from a participatory process for the review and adjustment of the workplan that has been implemented since 2018. Said adjustments are due to the identification of actions and tasks that presented a null or insignificant advance for the improvement of the octopus fishery due to limitations of some actors to finance, participate, manage or implement the original Work Plan.
Based on the above, during the months of October to December 2020, a constant prioritization exercise of seven actions was carried out: (1) Evaluate the octopus size structure during the fishing season, (2) Maintain a program of basic monitoring that supports the competent authority with assessments and management of the fishery, (3) Monitoring of secondary species in the octopus fishery, (4) Monitoring of ETP species in the octopus fishery, (5) Implement measures to ensure compliance with the ban, (6) Implement a process to improve product quality, and finally, (7) Implement the FIP social responsibility policy.

 

Actualización septiembre 2021:   El presente informe corresponde a los resultados de la nueva versión del  plan de trabajo del FIP de Pulpo y surge de un proceso participativo para la revisión y ajuste del Plan de Trabajo vigente desde el 2018. Dichos ajustes se deben a la identificación de acciones y tareas que presentaron un avance nulo o poco significativo para el mejoramiento de la pesquería de pulpo debido a limitaciones de algunos actores para financiar, participar, gestionar o atender el Plan de Trabajo original.

Con base en lo anterior, durante los meses de octubre a diciembre de 2020 se realizó un ejercicio constante de priorización de siete acciones a realizar: (1) Evaluar la estructura de tallas de pulpo durante la temporada de pesca, (2) Mantener un programa de monitoreo básico que apoye a la autoridad competente con las evaluaciones y el manejo de la pesquería, (3) Monitoreo de especies secundarias en la pesquería de pulpo, (4) Monitoreo de especies ETP en la pesquería de pulpo, (5) Implementar medidas para asegurar el cumplimiento de la veda, (6) Implementar un proceso para mejorar la calidad del producto, y finalmente, (7) Implementar la política de responsabilidad social del FIP.

An octopus FIP is being carried out in the Gulf of California, Mexico with the main objective of making the fishery sustainable. This fishery covers the region known as Bahia de Los Angeles (BLA), inside natural protected areas. The octopus fishery is the most important for the local community and the fishermen have traditionally caught the octopus by gleaning, free diving and using traps. The catch of octopus in BLA represents the 90% of the total octopus catch in Baja California State and it is a fishery with high value and great potential for commercialization.

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Pronatura Noroeste A.C.
Organization Type 
NGO
Primary Contact 
Pablo Alvarez
Email 
palvarez@pronatura-noroeste.org
Phone 
+526461753461 ext. 110
Website Name 
Pronatura Noroeste
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
9158

Overview

Mexico is the world's leading producer of Ocean whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps) with 94% of national landings coming from the state of Baja California Sur. However, there are no species-specific management measures for this fishery. The only current management tool is finfish fishing permits that specify the number of boats and gear that can be used per permit holder.

The Buzos y Pescadores de la Baja California SCL fishing cooperative located on Isla Natividad, Baja California Sur has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability through the establishment of marine reserves in collaboration with Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A. C. (COBI), MSC certification of its fishery for lobster, and a restoration program for abalone in collaboration with state government and academia. In recent years, they have shown increased interest in developing fisheries for more sustainable fish, such as ocean whitefish.

A relatively new fishery, the ocean whitefish target fishery began in 2011 as an economical alternative to high-value benthic fisheries that have declined in recent years. The cooperatives' initial production of 3.7 T in 2011 increased to 13.4 T in 2016 and is expected to increase further as demand grows. As a result, the cooperative approached SmartFish in 2017 and expressed interest in undertaking a fishery improvement project. The FIP is exclusive to vessels belonging to the Buzos y Pescadores cooperative that fish with hand lines and traps.

En el invierno de 2017, Pronatura Noreste realizó una evaluación previa del Marine Stewardship Council de la pesquería de pescado blanco oceánico de Isla Natividad. Las principales preocupaciones identificadas por la evaluación preliminar fueron la falta de una evaluación formal del stock y una estrategia de gestión de la captura incidental. El estado del hábitat y los impactos en el ecosistema se identificaron como preocupaciones menores; sin embargo, es necesario evaluar el impacto potencial de las artes de pesca.

Además, SmartFish AC está trabajando para mejorar el acceso a mercados que valoran la sostenibilidad e implementan la trazabilidad digital.

Mexico is the world's leading producer of Ocean whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps) with 94% of national landings coming from the state of Baja California Sur. However, there are no species-specific management measures for this fishery. The only current management tool is finfish fishing permits that specify the number of boats and gear that can be used per permit holder.

FIP at a Glance

View current status
June 01, 2018
25% 14% 61%
Progress Rating (A) Advanced Progress

Reserved for comprehensive FIPs that have achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within the past 12 months.

(B) Good Progress

A basic FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within 12 months.

(C) Some Recent Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months that has never achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result but has reported a Stage 3 activity within the first 12 months.
(D) Some Past Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months BUT has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old AND a Stage 3 activity has been reported within six months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
(E) Negligible Progress
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old, with no Stage 3 activity reported in the last six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months with no Stage 3 activity reported within 12 months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.

The ratings are currently derived by SFP from publicly available data on FIP websites, including FisheryProgress.org, and are determined using the following methodology: View PDF
B Good Progress
Actions Complete

This pie chart represents completed environmental actions. Non-completed environmental actions may contain completed sub-tasks that are not illustrated here. For more information on environmental action progress visit the Actions Progress tab.
  • Complete
  • Incomplete
Next Update Due FisheryProgress requires a FIP to provide update reports every six months, and two missed reports will render the FIP inactive. If a report is overdue, this date will appear red.
Jul 2024
Target End Date
Aug 2025

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
SCPP Buzos y Pescadores de la Baja California SCL
Organization Type 
Other
Primary Contact 
Rodolfo Castillo
Email 
buzosbyp@hotmail.com
Phone 
+52 1 646 1779304
Website Name 
Buzos y Pescadores de la Baja California
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
8506

Overview

En México, se está realizando un FIP de róbalo blanco en el Área Natural Protegida Reserva de la Biósfera Marismas Nacionales Nayarit (RBMNN). El principal objetivo de este FIP es hacer sostenible la pesca del róbalo blanco. RBMNN se ubica en el noroeste del Estado de Nayarit. Está compuesto por una gran red de lagunas costeras, bosques de manglares, marismas y deltas que representan entre el 15% y el 20% del total de los ecosistemas de manglares del país. La pesquería del róbalo blanco tiene un alto valor económico y en 2015 Nayarit fue el mayor productor del país con un total de 1,303 toneladas. Aproximadamente 435 embarcaciones participan en esta pesquería y el 90% de los pescadores utilizan redes de enmalle.

ACTUALIZACIÓN JUNIO 2022: En México, se está realizando un FIP a escala marina en el Área Natural Protegida Reserva de la Biosfera Marismas Nacionales Nayarit (RBMNN). El principal objetivo de este FIP es hacer sostenible la pesca de peces. RBMNN se ubica en el noroeste del estado de Nayarit. Está conformado por una gran red de lagunas costeras, manglares, esteros y deltas que representan entre el 15% y el 20% del total de los ecosistemas de manglares del país. Las tres principales pesquerías de peces en marismas son el robalo con una producción de 1,931 toneladas, el pargo con 684 toneladas y la corvina con 1902 toneladas según lo informado por CONAPESCA en 2020. En esta pesquería participan aproximadamente 435 embarcaciones y el 90% de los pescadores utilizan redes de enmalle y el resto use líneas de mano o anzuelos.

En el presente periodo se decidió cambiar el FIP de robalo blanco por un FIP multiespecífico con el fin de ampliar las mejoras a otras pesquerías de importancia ambiental y económica.

En México, se está realizando un FIP de róbalo blanco en el Área Natural Protegida Reserva de la Biósfera Marismas Nacionales Nayarit (RBMNN). El principal objetivo de este FIP es hacer sostenible la pesca del róbalo blanco. RBMNN se ubica en el noroeste del Estado de Nayarit.

FIP at a Glance

View current status
January 01, 2018
36% 25% 39%
Progress Rating (A) Advanced Progress

Reserved for comprehensive FIPs that have achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within the past 12 months.

(B) Good Progress

A basic FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within 12 months.

(C) Some Recent Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months that has never achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result but has reported a Stage 3 activity within the first 12 months.
(D) Some Past Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months BUT has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old AND a Stage 3 activity has been reported within six months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
(E) Negligible Progress
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old, with no Stage 3 activity reported in the last six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months with no Stage 3 activity reported within 12 months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.

The ratings are currently derived by SFP from publicly available data on FIP websites, including FisheryProgress.org, and are determined using the following methodology: View PDF
C Some Recent Progress
Actions Complete

This pie chart represents completed environmental actions. Non-completed environmental actions may contain completed sub-tasks that are not illustrated here. For more information on environmental action progress visit the Actions Progress tab.
  • Complete
  • Incomplete
Next Update Due FisheryProgress requires a FIP to provide update reports every six months, and two missed reports will render the FIP inactive. If a report is overdue, this date will appear red.
Aug 2024
Target End Date
Jun 2025
Additional Impacts:
TraceabilityIUUOther

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Pronatura Noroeste A.C.
Organization Type 
NGO
Primary Contact 
Laura Ibarra
Email 
libarra@pronatura-noroeste.org
Phone 
+526461753461 ext. 110
Website Name 
Pronatura Noroeste
Organization Name 
SEDER
Organization Type 
Other
Primary Contact 
José Ignacio Herrera Montaño
Email 
pescaseder@hotmail.com
Phone 
+523112580718
Website Name 
SEDER
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
8093

Overview

This FIP has entered into the full assessment process for MSC certification and remains active on FisheryProgress, but reporting requirements are reduced. The FIP no longer reports on environmental progress but will confirm its full assessment status at each progress report due date. The FIP will continue meet the social responsibility progress reporting requirements until it achieves MSC certification.

Date Entered Full Assessment: Jan 2023

In Full Assessment Link

The fishery being assessed is the Pacific Tuna Longline Fishery targeting albacore (Thunnus alalunga), bigeye (Thunnus obesus) and yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) tuna across all regions of the Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific Tuna Longline Fishery aims to meet the rising global demand for tuna in a sustainable manner by assuring catches do not exceed sustainable levels, promoting the ecosystem based approach to fisheries management and strengthening policy and governance systems in the region.

Pacific Tuna Longline Fishery goals:

  • Sustainable Fish Stocks – To ensure tuna and other primary species catches across the Pacific Ocean do not exceed sustainable levels
  • Minimising Environmental Impacts – To promote the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management
  • Effective Management – To strengthen governance systems in the WCPFC, IATTC and Pacific Tuna Longline fishery.

The fishery being assessed is the Pacific Tuna Longline Fishery targeting albacore (Thunnus alalunga), bigeye (Thunnus obesus) and yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) tuna across all regions of the Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific Tuna Longline Fishery aims to meet the rising global demand for tuna in a sustainable manner by assuring catches do not exceed sustainable levels, promoting the ecosystem based approach to fisheries management and strengthening policy and governance systems in the region.

FIP at a Glance

View current status
December 01, 2017
18% 29% 54%
Progress Rating (A) Advanced Progress

Reserved for comprehensive FIPs that have achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within the past 12 months.

(B) Good Progress

A basic FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within 12 months.

(C) Some Recent Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months that has never achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result but has reported a Stage 3 activity within the first 12 months.
(D) Some Past Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months BUT has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old AND a Stage 3 activity has been reported within six months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
(E) Negligible Progress
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old, with no Stage 3 activity reported in the last six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months with no Stage 3 activity reported within 12 months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.

The ratings are currently derived by SFP from publicly available data on FIP websites, including FisheryProgress.org, and are determined using the following methodology: View PDF
A Advanced Progress
Actions Complete

This pie chart represents completed environmental actions. Non-completed environmental actions may contain completed sub-tasks that are not illustrated here. For more information on environmental action progress visit the Actions Progress tab.
  • Complete
  • Incomplete
Next Update Due FisheryProgress requires a FIP to provide update reports every six months, and two missed reports will render the FIP inactive. If a report is overdue, this date will appear red.
Apr 2024
Target End Date
Dec 2022
Additional Impacts:
TraceabilityEcosystemRoundtable

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Key Traceability Ltd.
Organization Type 
Consultant
Primary Contact 
Tom Evans
Email 
t.evans@keytraceability.com
Phone 
+44 7505122728
Website Name 
Key Traceability
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
7651

Overview

In Mexico, one of the most important fisheries for the small-scale fleet is swimming crab. The fishery started during the 1980s and was fully developed by the early 1990s. By 2013, the swimming crab fishery was the 8th highest in production in the Mexican Pacific with ~17,000 t and was the 12th most important in terms of value. 

Baja California Sur is the third largest producer, after Sonora and Sinaloa, with an average of 400 t per year. Crab fishing mainly occurs the coastal lagoons of the western coast of the state. The Magdalena-Almejas lagoon complex is the most important fishing region, contributing to ~76% of the state's production, followed by Ojo de Liebre lagoon (14%) and San Ignacio lagoon (10%) 

The federal regulations for the fishery are listed on the Swimming Crab of the Pacific, the National Fisheries Charter and the Official Mexican Standard for the crab fishery NOM-039-PESC-2003. The standard establishes traps as the only fishing gear allowed in Baja California Sur. Traps specifications, as well as minimum crab size limits, are contained within the regulations. Finally, managers state that the fishery may reach its maximum level and recommends to keep the current level of fishing effort in place. 

In Mexico, one of the most important fisheries for the small-scale fleet is swimming crab. The fishery started during the 1980s and was fully developed by the early 1990s. By 2013, the swimming crab fishery was the 8th highest in production in the Mexican Pacific with ~17,000 t and was the 12th most important in terms of value. 

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Alimentos del Mar de Norte America
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Yesica Hernandez Rubio
Email 
info@bluecrab.com.mx
Organization Name 
Ocean Technology Inc.
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Ed Dixon
Email 
dixon@oceantechnology.com
Website Name 
All Natural brand 100% Real Callinectes Crab
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
7522

Overview

The Pacific Ocean is the most productive fishing area for Mexico, providing approximately 75 percent of seafood catch by volume, and accounting for most of the country’s seafood exports by value. The Mexican Pacific Ocean industrial shrimp fishery is the most important fishery for the country; having the greatest economic value. It is also the highest-ranked fishery in terms of number of vessels and directly-connected jobs. The fishery is also the country’s third largest by volume with annual landings of approximately 42,000 tonnes, 70% of which is produced by the bottom-trawl Fleet.

At the same time, the industrial shrimp fishery has some ecologically damaging effects on the habitats where it harvests. For decades, the use of antiquated gear and an increase in the number and the size of vessels have exacted a heavy toll on the environment. Prior to the fleet reduction ten years ago, it was estimated that high levels of bycatch had resulted in the wasteful discard of tens of thousands of tonnes of approximately 600 marine species. Fortunately, in the last two decades, the Mexican Pacific Ocean bottom-trawl shrimp fishery has implemented major improvements toward achieving sustainability - the fleet reduction is by far the biggest change implemented. Thanks to the federal government's buyout program which began in 2006, the fleet was reduced by 50 percent and today has the same number of vessels that it had in the 1970s. The shrimp fishing gear has also evolved significantly. All vessels in the fleet now use low-weight materials that have reduced their drag weight by 90 percent. Furthermore, besides the mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), the fishery regulations require mandatory use of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) and establishes a maximum net size. The fishery also requires the use of bigger mesh sizes to foster selective harvesting.

Fishery administration and enforcement have also improved. All shrimp fishing vessels are now monitored 24/7 by the fisheries agency CONAPESCA through a vessel monitoring system (VMS) capable of identifying incursions to restricted areas and fishing activities in prohibited zones. Producers compliance has also strengthened as a result of the implementation of procurement policies subject to third independent party audits based upon the control document approach designed by Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

 

 

The Pacific Ocean is the most productive fishing area for Mexico, providing approximately 75 percent of seafood catch by volume, and accounting for most of the country’s seafood exports by value. The Mexican Pacific Ocean industrial shrimp fishery is the most important fishery for the country; having the greatest economic value. It is also the highest-ranked fishery in terms of number of vessels and directly-connected jobs. The fishery is also the country’s third largest by volume with annual landings of approximately 42,000 tonnes, 70% of which is produced by the bottom-trawl Fleet.

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Meridian Products
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Rick Martin
Email 
rmartin@redchamber.com
Organization Name 
Ocean Garden Products Inc.
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Guillermo Rodriguez
Email 
grodriguez@oceangarden.net
Website Name 
Ocean Garden
Organization Name 
Productores del Mar de Mexico
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Miguel Rousse
Email 
sales@shrimparadise.com
Website Name 
Mexican Shrimp Paradise
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
7460

Overview

 

Reason for inactivity: The inactivity of the fishery has been marked by the lack of catches, the small size of the organisms, the increase in the depth the resource are, etc., caused mainly by the El Niño event, this makes it difficult to continue implementing the improvements. The FIP is put on pause until the reactivation of the catches.

The national states that participate in the squid fishery are Baja California, Baja California Sur (BCS), Sinaloa and Sonora (200 fishing permits for larger vessels and 1800 fishing permits for smaller vessels). A large percentage of the fishing happens in the localities of Santa Rosalía, in BCS, and in Guaymas, Sonora, which are historically important places in the squid fishery.

The Gulf of California squid fishery was evaluated in 2014 by the Monterey Bay Aquarium - Seafood Watch Program, which is an independent international body that evaluates marine and aquaculture resources. The fishery received a "Good Alternative" rating for this fishery.

This was the principal reason for the operating producers (represented by the Giant Squid National Product System Committee) of the squid fishery to commit to implementing a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) in March 2017 ; in order to bring awareness to the sustainable practices of this fishery as well as to continue improving fishing practices, as the fishery has great potential to be managed with new fisheries reforms.

This resource can be managed using good fishing practices that allow it to be recognized nationally and internationally as a sustainable fishery, therefore allowing it access to better markets. In addition to promoting the sustainable management of the species, the best management policies for the resources and the transparency of the processes can be highlighted.

This FIP is going to comprehensive (2020-2022).

 

Reason for inactivity: The inactivity of the fishery has been marked by the lack of catches, the small size of the organisms, the increase in the depth the resource are, etc., caused mainly by the El Niño event, this makes it difficult to continue implementing the improvements. The FIP is put on pause until the reactivation of the catches.

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C.
Organization Type 
NGO
Primary Contact 
Lorena Rocha
Email 
lrocha@cobi.org.mx
Phone 
+52 622 222 49 90
Website Name 
COBI
Organization Name 
Comité Nacional Sistema Producto Calamar Gigante
Organization Type 
Other
Primary Contact 
Juan Pedro Vela
Email 
juanpedrovela@gmail.com
Website Name 
Comité Nacional Sistema Producto Calamar Gigante
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
7321

Overview

La pesquería de almejas (tinto, blanco y chocolate) en Puerto Libertad, Sonora, es bastante nueva, y dado que ninguno de sus bancos ha sido sobreexplotado. Esta fue una de las principales razones para comenzar a trabajar con esta pesquería: incorporar buenas prácticas en las etapas iniciales que pueden conducir a la sostenibilidad a largo plazo.

Durante el desarrollo de este proyecto, se identificaron las almejas como una alternativa para reducir la presión pesquera a recursos que se han utilizado durante años en la región. Luego de cuatro años de diseño y manejo para el aprovechamiento de estos recursos, se obtuvieron los primeros permisos de almeja roja ( Megapitaria aurantiaca ) y almeja chocolate ( Megapitaria squalida ) en el estado de Sonora.

These permits include different fishing management tools (closures, sizes, quotas and refuge areas), as well as the commitment to work together for population monitoring, life cycle studies and sustainable harvesting of clams, achieving a more economically and socially robust management. This led to the idea of implementing a fishing improvement project that could bring the fishery access to better markets, where producers could receive more benefits and the give the marine ecosystem's condition a chance to improve.

This FIP is going to comprehensive (2020-2022).

La pesquería de almejas (tinto, blanco y chocolate) en Puerto Libertad, Sonora, es bastante nueva, y dado que ninguno de sus bancos ha sido sobreexplotado. Esta fue una de las principales razones para comenzar a trabajar con esta pesquería: incorporar buenas prácticas en las etapas iniciales que pueden conducir a la sostenibilidad a largo plazo.

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
SCPP Mojarra del Arrecife
Organization Type 
Other
Primary Contact 
Juan Gabriel López Hermosillo
Email 
frentealmarpl1@hotmail.com
Phone 
+52 6371239323
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
7306

Pages

Subscribe to Area 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)