The state of Baja California is one of the most important marketers of Red Sea Urchin nd Red rock lobster in Mexico. These unique organisms are consumed in several markets around the world that seek to obtain quality marine products supported by sustainable fishing practices that care for and protect the health of the oceans. To achieve this, Pronatura Noroeste implements Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) that regulate the extraction and resource management processes, so the seas experience the least possible impact, ensuring the sustainability of the resource and guaranteeing fishing continues to be a stable source of work for many Mexican families.
The Baja California Red Sea Urchin and Red Rock Lobster fisheries recently started the process of implementing a FIP, each separately, with facilitation from Pronatura Noroeste. These projects were published on FisheryProgress.org on March 9th, and their progress will be evaluated as the rollout of activities is reported on the platform.
Both fisheries formed a working group with the participation of the fishermen, the National Commission for Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Baja California Ministry of Economic Sustainability and Tourism, academia, and Pronatura Noroeste. These working groups created a five-year plan based on the diagnostics conducted with the International Standard for Sustainable Fisheries of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the main objective of these FIPs is to certify their fishery using this standard.
The lobster fishery may be added to the Red rock lobster fishery certification of the central part of the Baja California Peninsula, administered by the Regional Federation of Cooperative Societies for the Baja California Fishing Industry, F.C.L. (FEDECOOP) and the fishing cooperatives affiliated with it. This riparian fishery was the first in the world to achieve this certification under the MSC standard. Therefore, having the Baja California Red Rock Lobster fishery implement a FIP ensures it will reach a level of sustainability to be able to certify. The objective is the same for the Red Sea Urchin FIP. If the goals are reached in the medium term, the region will have two internationally certified fisheries.
The progress of both FIPs can be found on:
