MSC pre-assesment made available

Participants confirmed

Updated 2019-2024 workplan

Workplan made public

The 1st workshop to discuss and compare the different methodologies used to analyze the red snapper stock in the Gulf of Mexico was held virtually on March 21 and 22, in which people from the academia (CICESE, CIBNOR, CINVESTAV),  management agencies of Mexico (IMIPAS, CONAPESCA), and other stakeholders (SFP) were invited to participate. The second workshop was held on September 20th. 

The FIP provided an analysis of monitoring data from February 1-August 1 2024. The most commonly used fishing gear was the handline. Of the total catches, vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens) represented 57%, red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) 36%, and several species grouped, including Gafftopsail catfish (Bagre marinus) and Lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris), representing the remaining 7%. 

Between September 2023 and January 2024, a monitoring analysis was conducted, revealing that vermilion snapper accounted for 74.69% of the total catch, while red snapper made up 15.50%. The main bait used during this time was bonito. 

A logbook analysis was conducted and demonstrated that the existing fishing gear was effective for catching red snapper. Out of the total catches, 60% were vermillion snapper and 30% were red snapper. Bycatch included finfish and hammerhead sharks, with bonito used as bait.

The FIP has produced a draft manuscript on the red snapper population assessment, responded to the journal's reviewers' feedback, and is currently awaiting the journal's revised review.

The FIP is in the process of forming a committee to tackle the challenges of the snapper fishery and has formed an agreement with the National Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture. 

Red snapper monitoring data has been organized and presented in a report using information provided from the e-logbook/ PescaData.

Analysis on the impacts of the fishery on the habitat has been peer reviewed and a final paper has been published; no negative impacts were identified

Virtual FIP meeting held in November 2021 to discuss ongoing FIP progress

Proposal prepared for consultancy to carry out stock assessments and reference points for the target species of the FIPs.

Draft study made available; the fishery in the southern Gulf of Mexico is highly selective for snappers due to the use of species-specific geas in areas far from the shore. Bycatch includes 5 ETP species but they represent a low percentage of catch.

A diagnosis was made on the deficiencies and problems to promote the updating of legal instruments

First meeting of 2021 was held to discuss the FIP framework; the Institute commented that the red snapper stock assessment is being developed

Research is ongoing to determine if the bycatch species have a risk category under IUCN or CITIES

The fishery cooperative has started the process to modify its fishing permit

In November 2019, two training meetings were held with the fishing cooperative to train the use of logbooks

Meetings were held during the month of August; implementing workplan actions were discussed. [ date on the document submitted on Nov 2020 update on FIP,  was actually before start date of the FIP  - completion date changed to align with start date (for FIPDB)]

A scientific article evaluating the status of red snapper through a stock assessment has been published. 

Increase to PI 1.2.4; The Three-Year Audit has been conducted. The stock assessments conducted using the Monte Carlo model to estimate MSY based on catch data provide sufficient information on the species. 

Increase to PI 2.4.3;(increase in habitat information score) - report presenting that the red snapper fishery has no impact on the ecosystem and the UoA is very unlikely to reduce habitat structure and function

Increase to PI 2.3.3; the PSA has informed the vulnerability of secondary species

Increase to PI 2.3.3. - PSA has been conducted and demonstrates that three high risk ETP species have been identified: silky shark (v = 2.2), the scalloped hammerhead (v =2.2), and the southern stingray (v = 2.2)

Increase in PI 2.2.3; Fishers from the fishing cooperative Pescadores de Nuevo Campechito have been monitoring their fishery through fishing logbooks

Increase to PI 1.1.1; The Three-Year Audit has been conducted. The red snapper population in the Gulf of Mexico has shown signs of a relatively positive trend and is not currently overfished or experiencing overfishing.

Increase to PI 2.3.1; No detrimental direct or indirect effects of UoA on ETP species, habitat or ecosystem appears likely.

Increase to PI 2.4.1 - Evaluation concludes that the red snapper fishery has no impact on the ecosystem and the UoA is very unlikely to reduce habitat structure and function

Increase in PI 2.2.1; data regarding the bait used in the fishery is readily available