Overview
Ecuador’s mahi mahi fishery is one of its most ecologically and economically valuable artisanal fisheries. Ecuador is the second largest producer of mahi mahi in the Eastern Pacific Ocean region after Peru, with average annual landings of 10,139 mt (average 2009-2019). The fishery supports 25,000 fishers and 95% of exports go to the U.S. Since 2010, WWF has worked closely with the Ecuadorian government and mahi mahi exporters on a comprehensive FIP to move the fishery towards the MSC standard. Over that time, more than 10,000 fishers have been engaged in FIP efforts through training on fishing regulations and best fishing practices, adopting bycatch reduction tools, welcoming on-board observers, and piloting a digital traceability system to test electronic logbooks and cameras on-board their vessels. In February 2019, the fishery entered the MSC full assessment process but unfortunately had to withdraw in December 2020 due mainly to the lack of joint management between Peru and Ecuador of the shared mahi mahi stock.
FIP's previous workplan actions had all been completed before moving into MSC full assessment but a new workplan has been developed to continue to work on improving the fishery's deficiencies. Conservation Mahi Mahi, a consortium of leading Ecuadorian mahi mahi exporters, signed a new MOU with WWF Ecuador in April 2021 to work together to reinitiate the implementation of the comprehensive mahi mahi FIP.
Approx. 60% of the longline mahi-mahi vessels of the Ecuadorian fleet are now part of this FIP.
Ecuador’s mahi mahi fishery is one of its most ecologically and economically valuable artisanal fisheries.
The objective of the Ecuador mahi-mahi FIP is to move the fishery in a step-wise approach towards meeting the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard by December 2023, with the goal of entering the full assessment process after that to achieve MSC certification.
FIP at a Glance
25% | 39% | 32% | 4% |
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
Roundtable