FishSource

Mexico Sinaloa artisanal blue shrimp - drift/cast nets (FIP)

Access FIP Public Report

Last Updated: 2025-02-19

Evaluation Start Date: 2012-12-31

Type: Comprehensive

Status: In Assessment

FIP Lead: COSOREMA (C), Del Pacifico Seafoods, LLC (DPSL), MHMR International (MI)

Comments:

The FIP has entered MSC Full Assessment:

https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/mexican-pacific-artisanal-shrimp-fishery/@@view

1. FIP Development	Jun 17	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 1 June 2017 — Updated pre-assessment in 2017 1 November 2013 — MSC pre-assessment conducted in 2009 and updated in 2013 1 February 2010 — MSC pre-assessment available
2. FIP Launch	Jul 15	Confirmation of project participants 13 July 2015 — FIPs are confirmed and MoU signed by participants 1 March 2011 — Suppliers are organised
2. FIP Launch	Feb 19	Workplan made public 1 February 2019 — Revised 2017-2020 workplan 15 July 2017 — Updated workplan 2017-2020 25 February 2015 — 2015-2017 detailed workplan 31 December 2012 — Workplan 2012-2014 made public
3. FIP Implementation	Nov 23	FIP activities undertaken 27 November 2023 — A paper on the blue shrimp stock status concerning the exploitation of short-lived fishery resources has been published, showing that overfishing is not occurring. 1 October 2023 — The FIP conducted a CSA and the result of the analysis for the habitat obtained a passing score. However, because the fishery uses trawling gear, the RBF scored with extreme caution. 29 September 2022 — A report has been made available on the progress of evaluating the exploitation status of blue shrimp 1 August 2021 — The most recent evaluation of the stock status was presented before the opening of the season in August 2021; Abundance was found to be below average, and data suggests that a rebuilding plan should be implemented 1 May 2021 — Seasonal logs created for the 20-21 season; ongoing data collection continues 1 December 2020 — Results of 2020 season monitoring program have been published 1 December 2020 — The draft of the fishery update was recently released; draft includes species status 1 December 2020 — Fish log monitoring program protocol was established and shared with producers 1 December 2019 — As of December 2019, there have been 300 vessels installed with VMS 21 May 2019 — The assessment and methodology workshop held in May 21-23, 2019 24 February 2019 — FIP participants met to discuss a refinement of the stock assessment and a preliminary work force to implement it 1 January 2019 — A draft of an MOU between INAPESCA and DPS to formally implement the data collection protocol in the FIP's jurisdiction. 30 June 2018 — Del Pacifico is developing a new sustainability department which has been making contact and relations with the Mexican government institutions (CONAPESCA e INAPESCA), to start a long-term cooperation to complete this workshop. 30 June 2018 — Awareness campaign on the regulatory framework. The materials are being developed, designed and will be displayed on the fisher’s association facilities. Also, the material will be delivered to the fishers and their communities before the fishing season starts. 1 September 2017 — A total of 124 additional vessels were equiped in August 2018 with VMS. The total number of vessels carrying devices and part of the system amounts to 324. 9 June 2017 — Bycatch monitoring program finished and the report was delivered - results show that environmental impact continues to be low 1 September 2016 — The biennial monitoring program started with the beginning of the fishing season with 24/7 VMS tracking expanded to 200 vessels 1 May 2016 — Certified cooperatives modified their statutes to incorporate the fair trade committee in the administrative structure 1 April 2016 — Funding secured for updated MSC pre-assessment 1 January 2013 — FIP prepared and presented to CONAPESCA a set of proposals to modify the proposed regulations by CONAPESCA 1 December 2011 — FIP conducted meetings with INAPESCA and CIBNOR to develop the research protocol to evaluate the fishery environmental impacts to be implemented on the 2011-12 season
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Nov 23	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 27 November 2023 — Increase to PI 1.2.4; A study evaluating the shrimp stock using the Leslie model has been made available. The results of the study found that the fishery is above PRI and a new exploitation strategy is not needed. 1 November 2023 — Increase to PI 2.2.3; The FIP has conducted an updated catch composition analysis using data from the 2022-2023 season to verfiy primary and secondary species status; the analysis results demonstrated that blue shrimp represented~55% of the total catch. Swimming crab, finescale triggerfish, white mullet, dark spot mojarra and Peruvian mojarra were identified as the main bycatch species. 1 November 2021 — Increase to PI 2.1.3 - The current amount of quantitative information to assess with a high degree of certainty that the impact of the UoA on the primary species is low. 1 November 2021 — Increase to PI 2.1.2 based on the results of the report on catch composition that highlights that the suripera has limited impact on associated species (both primary and secondary) 1 December 2019 — As of December 2019, there are 300 vessels with VMS. Vessels with VMS installed are monitored through an online system - see "Find my seafood" through this link: https://delpacificoseafoods.com/ 1 February 2019 — PSAs conducted - All PSAs scored as of minimum impact (see Excel with PSAs attached). 1 February 2019 — Shrimp stock assessment conducted in February 2019 and used to mandate closure of the 2018-2019 season (file name is 2019_ClosingSeason_Shrimp_StAssessment). 7 November 2018 — 2019 Annual Operations Plan for managing all shrimp populations, including blue shrimp, in Mexico's Pacific 30 June 2018 — FIP reported on the maintenance of the VMS coverage and plans to expand coverage to ensure traceability of shrimp caught by the fishing community. 30 June 2017 — Interaction of the fishery with the habitat is known and mitigation measures are identified, according to Fair Trade USA requirements 1 June 2017 — The bycatch monitoring program finished and the report was delivered. Results show the fishery environmental performance continues to be as registered in 2012 and 2014. 15 January 2016 — FIP awarded with the Fair Trade USA certification under the Capture Fisheries Standard. 1 September 2015 — FIP in collaboration with SFP and Pelagic Data Systems initiated the evaluation of a vessel monitoring system (VMS) and traceability program to track the operation of the vessels/cooperatives participating in the FIP - 85 vessels participating in the FIP deployed VMS on board 1 March 2015 — Government following scientific advice more closely - Season 2014-15 closure 11 July 2013 — New fishery standard published (NOM-002-SAG/PESC-2013): regulating the exploitation of shrimps in waters under federal jurisdiction of the United Mexican States
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public