Cedo Intercultural - Co-Management

Co-Management

Responsible Management of Recreational Fisheries

The reorientation of extractive activities in the Upper Gulf of California for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable commercial fishing, has generated a growing interest in finding alternative markets for fishery products, in aquaculture production and in the building of small businesses in tourism services. Indeed, sport fishing is now located between the fishing and tourism service. At this time, it’s an important element in the shaping of Puerto Peñasco as a tourist destination. In this regard, we work with different stakeholders in a multilevel approach, looking at sport fishing as one of the products that gives way to an environmentally and socially responsible destination.

This approach consists of developing:
- Biological studies of the target species.
- A diagnosis of the sector from the perspective of local services providers.
- Community management of sport fishing in the Upper Gulf of California.

Check working group progress:
1. Forum, "Local Actions in the field of sport fishing in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora." February 11, 2009.
- Minutes

2. Working Group on Local Sport Fishing Logs
- First Meeting - 3/18/2009
- Minutes

Federation of Small Scale Fishermen at Puerto Peñasco

The pressure is on to protect the critically endangered vaquita from gill-nets. With CEDO’s help the federation of coastal fishermen of Puerto Peñasco, representing 20 cooperatives, has joined a government-sponsored program to reduce the size of the commercial fishing fleet. Through this program, five fishermen from Peñasco are converting from commercial to recreational fishing. Others will participate in a workshop coordinated by CEDO on economic alternatives. Both Fisheries and Environmental arms of the government are now designing a program of incentives to help fishermen leave fishing or change the way they fish. Fishermen are looking to CEDO for guidance on the road to sustainable fisheries.

Co-Management of the Blue Crab Trap Fishery

In March 2006 the Federation of Small Scale Fishing Cooperatives of Puerto Peñasco requested CEDO’s help to protect and manage the blue crab (Callinectes bellicosus) trap fishery. Economically this is one of the region’s most important fisheries. With proper management it has the potential of being a sustainable fishery. Fishermen are interested in better management of blue crab, to maximize their harvest.

CEDO is an active participant in Puerto Peñasco’s Sub-committee for Blue Crab management. This entity was revitalized in 2003 when a new law (NOM-039-PESC-2003) to regulate the blue crab fishery went into effect. The committee has already developed a regional community management plan that includes monitoring and enforcement. The monitoring program will generate the biological, ecological and fishery data needed for designing effective management actions, such as fishing zones and seasons. The monitoring program combines local knowledge with scientific data.

Feasibility Study for a Geoduck Clam Fishery in Puerto Peñasco

The geoduck clam (Panopea spp.) is a resource of high commercial value that sustains important fisheries along the west coast of the United States and Canada. In Mexico it has been harvested for at least five years, principally along both coasts of the Baja California peninsula. Since it is a new fishery and nothing is known about the species’ biology and ecology, information is needed to assure it is exploited sustainably. CEDO is assisting a cooperative from Puerto Peñasco in doing the needed research to determine the potential of this fishery. The study estimates clam biomass by species and sustainable rates of harvest. We will explore the feasibility of closed seasons and areas, and create a framework for fisher participation in management of the species.

TIDE BITS: Industrial Fishing

One of the three kinds of fisheries in the Gulf, industrial fishing is characterized by a large investment in equipment and infrastructure, and well developed commercialization of products. In the past most government management efforts have focused on these fisheries. The most important industrial fishery in the upper Gulf is shrimp trawling.

In 2002 the upper Gulf fleet, mostly located at Puerto Peñasco, consisted of about 120 boats These large boats drag nets across the ocean floor and the target, shrimp, is channeled into a large purse. Unfortunately many other species are also funneled into these nets as bycatch. In recent years shrimp trawlers have been required to use fish and turtle excluder devices to minimize bycatch. Sardine fisheries are also an important industrial fishery of the Northern Gulf, especially near the midriff islands.