MSC Pre-assesment made available

Participants confirmed

Updated 2022 workplan

Workplan made available 

The FIP has adopted the National Fisheries Charter recommendations including a 140 mm minimum catch size, restrictions on hookah gear, defined fishing zones, a 25% total annual quota and a permanent no-fishing refuge area.

The fishery is actively monitored through direct observation and measuring equipment, confirming a sandy bottom with small shell remains and no VMH presence within the UoC. The monitoring report demonstrates that fishing logbooks are maintained but no penshell harvesting has occurred since September 2023 due to ongoing negotiations with potential buyers and markets.

A report has been produced on the impact of the scallop fishery on the ecosystem; the Spatial and Consequence Analysis for the sites resulted in low risk with scores above 80.

The FIP is assessing the trophic status index in seawater inside and outside the UoC, forming the baseline for a year-round water quality monitoring program.

A site visit was conducted for researchers to familiarize themselves with penshell farming and propose a water quality monitoring system and assess its impact on the ecosystem.

In 2023, two harvests were conducted in the cultivation area to monitor scallop quality and productivity, with monthly biometrics recorded for various parameters.

The FIP continuously monitors seawater temperature inside and outside of the UoA; two HOBO temperature recorders have been installed by fishers to monitor the health of the fishery and long-term changes in the water.

The FIP held a meeting with CRIAP to present fishing projects that are being carried out in Sonora and to discuss collaboration between COBI and INAPESCA. 

Two meetings were organized in December 2022 and February 2023 to plan and discuss activities and strategies to be adopted for the management of the fishery; the quota will be discussed at the next upcoming meeting.

An analysis has been conducted on the impact of fishing gear on the habitat; the analysis concluded that gear used in the artisanal fishery primarily impacts Sargassum spp. and pen shell collection generates a sediment cloud in the collection area.

Collect information to improve assessment of penshells 

A P2 analysis has been conducted; the red lobster and the rugose pen shell have been identified as primary species while the Chinese snail and the Chinese rose snail have been identified as secondary species.