From the beginning, Mexicans have built a strong relationship with the sea. The cultures of Mesoamerica, Colonial and contemporary Mexico have established deep ties with the seas and oceans. Our country is privileged by its vast extension of coasts, with more than 15 thousand kilometers, including continental and island coasts. Hence, fishing is essential for the development and welfare of a large part of the population. According to INEGI`s data, more than 200 thousand Mexicans are engaged in fishing and aquaculture, especially in coastal communities.
Such a demanding activity cannot be sustained without responsible management. Knowing and caring for marine resources is an obligation not limited to fishermen but also to producers, businesses and restaurants, the government, conservation organizations and the communities themselves. In order to achieve responsible management of fishery resources, there are Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), which contribute to sustainable fisheries in a comprehensive manner. At a global level, FIPs are based on the sustainability standards established by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
As Pronatura Noroeste we promote and coordinate a total of eight FIPs in the region. This entails an enormous challenge for us, due to the geographic dispersion and contextual differences in reaching all the links in the production chain. Strengthening sustainable fishing practices in the communities implies the incorporation of changes in the processes, which represents a constant challenge.
For this reason, we conducted awareness-raising workshops for fishermen, producers and community members. The objective is for participants to share their knowledge and experience in order to improve practices and preserve fishery resources in the long term.
Last July, our staff gave workshops on the FIPs of the Red Sea Urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) and Red Lobster (Panulirus interruptus) for a total of 110 participants. This was carried out in person in the fishing camps and communities of El Socorrito, El Rosario, Puerto Canoas and Santa Rosaliíta, on the Pacific coast of Baja California. In charge of this activity is Gabriela Ehuan, our Red Hedgehog and Red Lobster Fishery Improvement Project Coordinator. She has generated real enthusiasm among the participants. Six new workshops are scheduled for October in coastal communities in the region.
The workshops include recreational and outreach activities, with board games and exercises attractive to participants. Participants reflect collaboratively on topics related to each fishery, such as rationed catches according to species population, recording catches in logbooks, and collective agreements to move towards sustainable fishing.
We invite you to collaborate with us in FIPs and sustainable fisheries activities.
