FishSource

Mexico Baja California red rock lobster - trap (FIP)

Last Updated: 2023-09-20

Progress Rating: D

Evaluation Start Date: 2019-12-13

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Pronatura Noroeste A.C. (PNA), General Directorate of Fisheries Management of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission (CONAPESCA) (GDFMNFAC)

Stock Profile Link
Mexican spiny loster - Eastern Pacific

Comments:

The FIP is older than a year and has never reported stage 4/5 result but has reported stage 3 results within the last 6 months. FIP remains D rated

1. FIP Development	Nov 19	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 28 November 2019 — MSC pre-assesment made available
2. FIP Launch	Jan 20	Confirmation of project participants 31 January 2020 — Participant list confirmed
2. FIP Launch	Mar 22	Workplan made public 30 March 2022 — Updated workplan made available for 2020-2024 13 December 2019 — Workplan made public
3. FIP Implementation	Jun 23	FIP activities undertaken 1 June 2023 — The inventory analysis of primary bait species revealed that only three organizations use pelagic species, while the remaining organizations rely on sea roach, clams, and snails for bait. As a result, a preliminary technical report was generated to investigate the origins and stock status of these pelagic species. 5 May 2023 — PNO has prepared a technical report outlining the key components necessary for creating an exploitation strategy for the red lobster. The report suggests incorporating the local environmental variability in relation to red lobster abundance and highlights the need for additional information to enhance or refine the existing framework of the PMP control rule. 3 March 2023 — The FIP coordinator sent a letter to the National Commission of Fisheries and Aquaculture requesting information about the number of supervision activities conducted, inspection reports and oversight, examination, and monitoring activities and operations within the red sea urchin fishery. 1 February 2023 — A summary of the community surveillance report has been made available; over 165 consecutive days, two patrols were conducted daily, resulting in the issuance of four warnings during that period. 1 February 2023 — A working session took place with fishing organization leaders to negotiate and reach agreements concerning the process of enhancing fishermen's involvement in gathering the necessary fishery information. 6 December 2022 — The FIP held a meeting to discuss best practices for enhancing community surveillance and the utilization of support tools. 1 September 2022 — Catch analysis carried out disaggregating the biomass of FIP participants and non-participants for the period of 2000-2021; FIP permit holders reported that their catches represent 51% and 43% of the total registered for the years 2020 and 2021. 1 September 2022 — PNO and the fishery producers prepared an official request to initiate the corresponding procedures with CONAPESCA for the installation of the committee. 15 July 2022 — FIP meeting held to discuss the progress of workplan actions 2 March 2022 — FIP compliance review conducted; inspection and surveillance report made available 1 March 2022 — Training held for fishers on montioring projects and recording logbook data; presentation made available 1 March 2022 — Habitat information review conducted; technical summary on the effect of lobster traps on the seabed substrate made public 28 September 2021 — FIP meeting held via zoom to discuss fishing logs and data collection 2 July 2021 — Several meetings held over the summer of 2021 to further FIP progress 23 June 2021 — The fishery inspection and surveillance analysis completed by FIP in June of 2021. Plans to improve MCS with SUBPESCA and INPAESCA creating protocols for data processing and analysis in future 1 February 2021 — Several meetings held over the last few months; meetings have led to more streamlined data collection and recording 1 February 2021 — A distribution map of the lobster fishing areas is plotted in the doctoral research of the sea urchin FIP technical advisor 18 January 2021 — FIP continues to work on the establishment of management subcommittees 14 December 2020 — Official data was requested on the fulfillment of the fishing regulations 1 October 2020 — Stock assessment completed, pending approval 1 September 2020 — A collaboration instrument was established between CONAPESCA, and Pronatura Noroeste 1 September 2020 — Draft inspection and surveillance diagnosis is underway 1 September 2020 — FIP meeting held over zoom
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	—	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water 1 June 2023 — Increase to MSC PI score 1.1.1; Three-year audit conducted. In October 2020, The National Fisheries Institute produced a stock assessment for the 2018-2019 season, showing that the fishery's history of harvest intensity has consistently maintained the biomass above the MSY.
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public