Ecuador Gulf of Guayaquil titi shrimp - bottom trawl (CNP)

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Overview

Titi shrimp (Protrachypene precipua) is a tropical species that inhabits the Eastern Pacific Ocean from Nicaragua to Ecuador. Titi shrimp distribution in Ecuador, particularly in the Gulf of Guayaquil, varies depending on the season with a considerable migration in different stages of its lifecycle through the estuaries and surrounding waters. 

The industrial titi shrimp fishery in Ecuador started in the 1960s in the Gulf of Guayaquil using bottom-trawl nets. Since then, the titi shrimp fishery has supported the livelihoods of thousands of Ecuadorians that participate in different parts of the supply chain, including fishing, processing and export. The industrial fleet reached the maximum number of vessels in 1980 with 74. Since then, the fleet has diminished to reach the current effort with 39 authorized vessels.

According to the National Fisheries Institute, the landings of titi shrimp averaged 6.5 thousand metric tons per year in the 2007-2019 period with a minimum of 5.9 thousand in 2007 and a maximum of 7 thousand tons registered in 2010. It is estimated that the industrial titi shrimp fishery generates an annual income of 4.5-5 million dollars and operative revenues of 1 million for the fleet thanks to the export to USA and EU markets of 75% of the landings.

Since 2000, The industrial fishery has some management measures including a closed season, a geographic division for the authorized fleets, a daily allowed capture and the mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TED). The industrial fishery is also monitored through a Vessel Monitoring System and a network of fisheries inspectors deployed in the main landing ports. Additionally, the National Fisheries Institute keeps fishery-related historic data and, since 2013, the fleet participates in an onboard observers’ program.

Despite its economic importance, there is not enough information available related to the species biology or the fishery in general (e.g. not all the fishing mortality is well known). In addition, the current management scheme lacks of several elements that could benefit the target species and the environment.  Finally, a combination of weak international markets and the increasing producing costs, difficult the design and implementation of a harvest strategy and the correspondent control rules aimed at recovering the stocks to sustainable levels, mitigating the fishery environmental impacts and satisfying the increasing demands for social and environmental responsibility in the markets.

FIP Description 

Titi shrimp (Protrachypene precipua) is a tropical species that inhabits the Eastern Pacific Ocean from Nicaragua to Ecuador.

FIP Objective(s) 

FIP Goal:

The goal of the Ecuador titi shrimp – bottom trawl FIP is to strengthen the harvest strategy, related harvest control rules and the management system to reach, for June 2028, a minimum score of 60-79 for all the principles performance indicators for the MSC Standard selected in the workplan.

Project outcomes for 2028 are:

  1. At least 80% of the industrial titi shrimp fishery is monitored through a data collection system to report target species production, catch composition, and interactions with ETP species and seabed. January 2028
  2. Fishery stakeholders periodically know the status of the titi shrimp stock. June 2028
  3. Fishery impacts on other species, ETP species, and habitats are evaluated, and measures to minimize them are recommended. June 2028
  4. The Ecuador titi shrimp fishery has a management plan developed by a participatory, inclusive, and transparent governance mechanism. September 2025
  5. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) titi shrimp fishing in Ecuador is significantly reduced. November 2027

 

FIP Type 
Basic
FIP Stage 
Stage 4: Improvements in Fishing Practices or Fishery Management
Start and Projected End Dates
June 2020
June 2028
Update 
UPDATE June 2023: After a year of work together with technicians, exporters, researchers and shipowners together with CNP, a new fishery action plan for the FIP was developed. Also the project has a new MoU and a new management model to include exporters and shipowners in the project. The project actually has been re funded by a coalition of 7 major exporters of titi shrimp in Ecuador, and the project is under the administration of CNP, at the date of this report two cooperation agreements with IPIAP and SRP are under revision The agreements include the terms for the cooperation to implement the project in a public-private alliance. The new action plan of the project is projected until june 2028 in order to achieve goals.
Next Progress Report Due 
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Species 
Common Name 
Titi Shrimp
Scientific Name
Protrachypene precipua
Gear Type 
Bottom Trawl
Location
FAO Major Fishing Area
Area 87 (Pacific, Southeast)
Exclusive Economic Zones
Country 
Ecuador
Geographic Scope 
Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador
Country Flag of Vessel 
Ecuador
Landings
Estimated Total FIP Landings 
2,600 metric tons
Estimated Total Fishery Landings 
6,500 metric tons
Landings Date 
March 2019
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FIP at a Glance

View current status
June 01, 2020
32% 32% 4% 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
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.
Dec 2024
Target End Date
Jun 2028

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Cámara Nacional de Pesquería
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Jimmy Anastacio
Email 
camaron.pomada@camaradepesqueria.ec
Website Name 
www.camaradepesqueria.ec
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.
13553