FishSource

Ecuador small pelagics - purse seine (CNP) (FIP)

Last Updated: 2023-09-20

Progress Rating: B

Evaluation Start Date: 2018-10-01

Type: Basic

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Camara Nacional de Pesqueria (CNP)

Stock Profile Link
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Comments:

This FIP reported in July 2023 and the last stage 4 result was reported July 2022 keeping the last stage 4 reported within the past 12 months. The FIP remains B rated.

1. FIP Development	Aug 18	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 1 August 2018 — IFFO assessment published
2. FIP Launch	Oct 18	Confirmation of project participants 1 October 2018 — Participants in the FIP listed
2. FIP Launch	Oct 18	Workplan made public 1 October 2018 — Workplan made public
3. FIP Implementation	Jul 23	FIP activities undertaken 1 July 2023 — In 2022, information gathered from 874 fishing trips was analyzed, utilizing data obtained through the observer program; 7 ETP species were observed including: spotted eagle ray, green sea turtle, whale shark, hawksbill sea turtle, smooth hammerhead shark, loggerhead sea turtle and the olive ridley sea turtle. 1 March 2023 — The FIP conducted its 5th annual stock assessment 24 May 2021 — Outreach materials created; Guide to the handling and release of marine fauna 17 April 2021 — Improvement of the participatory decision-making process; discussed and approved the (law) development of aquaculture and fisheries. 1 February 2021 — GMC report published on SPFDP meetings 2 December 2020 — Two hydroacoustic cruises were carried out in March 2019 and in December 2019 with subsequent reports created for each cruise 1 December 2020 — Report 'Biological and Fishing Aspects of Small Pelagic Fish during 2019' prepared from the data collected by observers 1 December 2020 — The design of an e-logbook (BEP) was agreed upon and is available by web browser or by mobile app 15 July 2020 — Second year stock assessment; biological reference points established 1 March 2019 — Review and evaluate all the historical information / data related to the Ecuadorian small-scale fishery existing at the INP 1 March 2019 — First meeting of the steering committee held in March 2019 1 March 2019 — Three research campaigns deployed in 2018-2019 1 January 2019 — Research team set up to conduct stock assessment and ETP assesment
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Jul 22	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 10 July 2022 — Increase to PI 2.5.3; Information on the food chain has been established using the Ecopath model 10 July 2022 — Increase to PI 2.5.2; the National Action Plan and Fishery Management Plan include strategies that minimize the impact the fishery has on the ecosystem 1 February 2021 — e-Logbook system has been implemented 31 December 2019 — First stock assessment for all 9 species is completed in Year 1
5. Improvements on the Water	Jul 22	Verifiable improvement on the water 10 July 2022 — Increase to PI score 2.5.1; Ecopath model used to quantify main trophic interactions in the fishery. Results from the model demonstrate that the fishery would not have significant negative ecological effects on the food chain. 1 July 2022 — Increase to PI 1.1.1; Stock evaluation conducted. While the rate of overfishing has increased in recent years (FMSY 1.02 to 1.84), small pelagic populations doubled their biomass (BMSY 0.38 to 0.83).
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public