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.
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