Common Name
Mahi-mahi
Scientific Name
Coryphaena hippurus
Overview
FIP Description
Industria Pesquera y Camaronera de Guatemala, S.A. and CeDePesca are developing a Fishery Improvement Project for the dolphinfish and yellowfin tuna fishery operating within Guatemalan waters. During the development stage, CeDePesca will conduct an MSC pre-assessment, provide improvement recommendations, and develop a FIP workplan to address key issues.
The mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) fishery in Guatemala has been operating for two decades now, through the operation of small-scale boats. Medium scale boats targeting other pelagic species such as sharks get some mahi as by-catch. This fishery is an important source of livelihoods in the Pacific coast of Guatemala, particularly at the Escuintla department, one of the major fishing districts in the country.
Guatemala has hook regulations, and hook size should not be less than 1.5 inches. The mahi fishery uses circle hooks, a choice which has led to a decreasing mortality for sea turtles.
Mahi-mahi products are mainly exported to the United States.
About the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), this is an open-water pelagic and oceanic species occurring above and below the thermocline to depths of at least 400 m. This species schools primarily by size, either in monospecific or multi-species groups.
Larger fish frequently school with porpoises and are also associated with floating debris and other objects. It feeds on fishes, crustaceans and squids. It is sensitive to low concentrations of oxygen and therefore, is not usually caught below 250 m in the tropics, and is found in waters between the temperatures of 18–31°C.
Conservation measures imposed in 2004 for the Eastern Pacific under resolution C-04-09 (IATTC 2008) are predicted to maintain the stock at about the Average Maximum Sustainable Yield level, slightly higher than would otherwise be the case. Three-month closures have been proposed by the InterAmerican Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and Mexico, which has one of the largest fisheries for this species.
How is this FIP Doing?
This shows the proportion of actions in the workplan that the FIP has completed.
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FIP Type
Prospective
FIP Stage
Stage 1: FIP Development
Start and Projected End Dates
Species
Common Name
Yellowfin Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus albacares
Gear Type
Location
FIP Leads
Organization Name
CeDePesca
Organization Type
NGO
Primary Contact
Sara Pérez
Email
Website Name
Organization Name
Industria Pesquera y Camaronera de Guatemala, S.A.
Organization Type
Industry
Primary Contact
Juan Esteban Conde
Email