Voluntary close season on octopus fishing in Bahia de los Angeles

Octopus fishing in the Bahia de los Angeles region, which accounts for 87% of the production of octopus in Baja California, represents one of the most important economic activities in the region. Since 2010, we have worked in conjunction with the community and authorities (through meetings, workshops, dissemination of scientific information, and community validation) to improve the management of the species in the area and to increase the economic benefits generated by the fishery.

On 2015, octopus fishermen in Bahia de los Angeles agreed to promote management rules including: a seasonal closure, a limit to the number of traps, a minimum length or weight and the establishment of refuge areas. That summer, the fishermen agreed to implement a community ban on octopus fishing during that season. The closure took place from August to November for the brown octopus, and from September to November for the green octopus. National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Conapesca) formalized this voluntary agreement – the first of its kind in this locality – with an official closed season. According to available scientific information, a closed season is the best way to guide this fishery towards sustainability