Mexico Yucatan octopus - drift rod and line (Alianza Por El Pulpo En Yucatan)

Primary tabs

Overview

Target Species (1) Red Octopus (Octopus maya), in Spanish Pulpo maya o rojo and (2) Common Octopus (O. vulgaris), in Spanish Pulpo patón o común. Geographical Area - Province of Yucatan

Method of Capture : Red Octopus: Fishing drifting rod with lines containing bait, no hook, this method is known locally as gareteo, Common Octopus: Also employs a fishing rod with lines and bait, in this fishery a hook is used at the line and in Yucatan peninsula the pole and line fishing gear is also used.

Stock(s) - The Red Octopus is an endemic species from Mexico and is a member of the family Octopodidae. Its known distribution is from the waters adjacent to Isla del Carmen in Campeche to Isla Mujeres in Quintana Roo. One single stock is exploited based on genetic studies. The Common Octopus has a wide distribution in tropical and subtropical regions in the world. In particular, in Mexico, it is distributed throughout the Gulf of Mexico, it is found from the coastline up to 400 m deep, but it is more abundant below 100 m and its abundance decreases as depth increases. It is exploited in the Yucatan Peninsula and Veracruz. No genetic studies are available that could be used to establish a stock structure.

Fleet(s) Red Octopus: Small-scale and medium-scale fleets with octopus permits fishing and landing in the State of Yucatan, Mexico. Common Octopus: medium-scale fleets with octopus permits fishing and landing in the State of Yucatan, Mexico.
 

FIP Description 

Target Species (1) Red Octopus (Octopus maya), in Spanish Pulpo maya o rojo and (2) Common Octopus (O. vulgaris), in Spanish Pulpo patón o común. Geographical Area - Province of Yucatan

FIP Objective(s) 

By April 2025:

Environmental Objectives

1. Establish a data collection system for the UoC to monitor the interactions of the octopus fishery with ETP species, in order to assess and mitigate any negative impact on these populations. This will contribute to meeting MSC performance indicators related to the conservation of vulnerable species.

2. Assess the environmental impact of bait use in the octopus fishery, specifically the sustainability of the three main species used as bait: okol (Ucides cordatus), maxquil (Libinia dubia), and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). This will allow for the development of mitigation strategies to reduce pressure on bait species and ensure a more sustainable fishing operation.

3. Promote the use of the traditional "Gareteo" fishing method, encouraging the replacement of bait with artificial lures. If this is not possible, promote the legal and regulated purchase of bait, ensuring that fishing practices are sustainable.

4. Enter MSC full assessment

Social Objectives

1. Implement policies and protection mechanisms against abuse, harassment, forced labor, and human trafficking in the fishing organizations of the octopus FIP.

2. Develop and implement safety and medical response protocols in fishing cooperatives and companies.

3. Ensure that all participating organizations have mechanisms for reporting discrimination and promote freedom of association.

4. Coordinate actions to improve access to healthcare services in fishing communities, such as requesting medical services for local health centers.

FIP Type 
Comprehensive
FIP Stage 
Stage 5: Improvements on the Water
Start and Projected End Dates
January 2019
April 2025
Update 
Due to the timing of the progress made in the implementation of the action plan, the date to enter the full assessment was extended to April 2025 by the association Alianza Por El Pulpo En Yucatan, the same change that was communicated to the In Transition to MSC (ITM) program. Track an ITM fishery: https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/red-and-common-octopus-fishery-yucatan-peninsula-mexico/@@view
Next Progress Report Due 
Friday, February 28, 2025
Species 
Common Name 
Red Octopus
Scientific Name
Octopus maya
Common Name 
Common Octopus
Scientific Name
Octopus vulgaris
Gear Type 
Handline
Jig
Location
FAO Major Fishing Area
Area 31 (Atlantic, Western Central)
Exclusive Economic Zones
Country 
Mexico
Geographic Scope 
Yucatan
Country Flag of Vessel 
Mexico
Landings
Estimated Total FIP Landings 
3,335 metric tons
Estimated Total Fishery Landings 
23,392 metric tons
Landings Date 
July 2023
PrintPDF

FIP at a Glance

View current status
January 01, 2019
14% 36% 50%
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.
Feb 2025
Target End Date
Apr 2025
Additional Impacts:
EcosystemRoundtableOther

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Alianza por el pulpo en Yucatán
Organization Type 
NGO
Primary Contact 
Miguel Gamboa
Email 
fippulpo@gmail.com
Website Name 
FIP Pulpo Yucatán
Organization Name 
Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C.
Organization Type 
NGO
Primary Contact 
Polo Barajas
Email 
mbarajas@cobi.org.mx
Phone 
+52 622 222 49 90
Website Name 
Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C.
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.
10470