Artisanal Shrimp Fishing in the Biosphere Reserve of the Upper Gulf of California
TL;DR: A fishery tendency analysis was made from 1996 to 2007 in the Upper Gulf of California (UGC) as mentioned in this paper, showing that the Biosphere Reserve and the recently declared Vaquita Refuge Area are important grounds for artisanal fishing.
Abstract: Shrimp is the most important marine resource for the three communities of the Upper Gulf of California (UGC): San Felipe in the state of Baja California, and Golfo de Santa Clara and Puerto Penasco in the state of Sonora. This fishery generates 80% of the profits in the region. A fishery tendency analysis was made from 1996 to 2007 in the UGC. For the first time, this fishery analysis showed that the Biosphere Reserve and the recently declared Vaquita Refuge Area are important grounds for artisanal fishing. The CPUE and total catches used to describe the fishing effort in the area, could be used to establish any further relationship between shrimp population and environmental variables, because of their high correlation coefficient (0.85). Shrimp capture in the marine protected areas has maintained a continuous level of production with economic incentives, making it attractive to fishermen despite recent restrictions on their activities. As shrimp vessels reduce in number, small boats gradually increase in number and productivity, maintaining high incomes from the fishery. A detailed interdisciplinary study of the fishing effort in the UGC must be conducted, because of the endangered species found in this area, which require adequate management for their conservation without compromising the welfare of the fishermen. El camaron es el recurso pesquero mas importante en el Alto Golfo de California (AGC) para las tres comunidades pesqueras que en ella se encuentran: San Felipe, Baja California, Golfo de Santa Clara y Puerto Penasco, Sonora. Esta pesqueria por si sola genera el 80% de los ingresos pesqueros totales en la region. Se hizo un analisis de la tendencia de la pesca de camaron del periodo 1996 al 2007. Por primera vez se describe la importancia de la pesca dentro de la Reserva de la biosfera del Alto Golfo de California y del Refugio de la Vaquita Marina. Debido al alto coeficiente de correlacion (0,85), la captura total y el CPUE analizados para el esfuerzo pesquero pueden ser utilizados para establecer futuras relaciones entre las variables ambientales y la poblacion de camaron en la region. La captura del camaron mantiene un continuo crecimiento en las areas naturales protegidas (ANP) siendo atractivo para los pescadores a pesar de las recientes restricciones a la pesca. Al disminuir el esfuerzo de las embarcaciones mayores dentro las ANP, se ha incrementado gradualmente la productividad de las embarcaciones artesanales, lo que ha propiciado un aumentando en el numero de embarcaciones y de los ingresos economicos en la region, manteniendose una alta rentabilidad de la pesqueria. El esfuerzo pesquero realizado por pescadores de las comunidades en el AGC dentro de las ANP requiere de un estudio mas complejo e interdisciplinario, ya que en esta ANP se encuentran especies en peligro de extincion, el cual requieren de un manejo adecuado para su conservacion sin que afecte los intereses individuales de los pescadores.
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TL;DR: A review of published research indicates that the Northern Gulf of California is, historically and currently, one of the most biologically productive marine regions on Earth as discussed by the authors, driven by a unique mix of factors, including: coastal upwelling, wind-driven mixing, extreme tidal mixing and turbulence, thermohaline circulation that moves intermediate waters into the mixed layer, coastal-trapped waves, regular sediment resuspension, and, to a lesser extent, agricultural runoff, released nutrients from erosion of ancient Colorado River Delta sediments, and perhaps input from decomposing tidal-flat plant debris
42 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that the stratification front might favor larval survival and prevent their advection toward the ocean, which enhances endemism, not only of these species but also of others coastal demersal species.
Abstract: Because the endemic Sciaenidae species (commonly known as drum or croakers) are important to the fishing industry in the Upper Gulf of California, their larval distribution and connectivity was analyzed in relation to hydrographic conditions during spawning periods (March, June and September). Totoaba macdonaldi, Micropogonias megalops, Menticirrhus nasus and Cynoscion othonopterus larvae were morphologically and genetically identified. Genetic analysis reveals for the first time the presence of Isopisthus remifer, which had not previously been morphologically identified. The most relevant hydrographic structure in the region was the permanent stratification front (Φ = 10 J/m) originated by the convergence of mixed water of the Northern Gulf (~20 m depth) and stratified water coming from the adjacent oceanic water (~200 m). Whereas T. macdonaldi larvae were only collected in the shallowest area in March, the other species were found mostly along the front in June and September. Connectivity matrixes showed high particle retention along the front (>80%) coinciding with the larval distribution. Results indicate that the stratification front might favor larval survival and prevent their advection toward the ocean. This type of retention likely enhances endemism, not only of these species but also of others coastal demersal species.
5 citations
Cites background from "Artisanal Shrimp Fishing in the Bio..."
...In addition, it is an area of breeding and development of many species of commercial and ecological importance, such as shrimp (Litopenaeus stylirostris) (Hastings et al., 2010; Rodríguez-Quiroz et al., 2010)....
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TL;DR: The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is the world's smallest cetacean and most endangered marine mammal under threat from illegal fishing activities that take place in the upper Gulf of California (UGC).
2 citations
15 Aug 2013
TL;DR: In this article, a small marine cetacean called Vaquita marina (Phocoena sinus) was found to be endangered in the Upper Gulf of California.
Abstract: Within the interior of the Upper Gulf of California lives a small marine cetacean called Vaquita marina (Phocoena sinus). Limited habitat and by-catch by gillnet has resulted in the reduction of its population to 154 individuals, making it endangered. The Mexican federal government has taken environmental and economic actions to protect and encourage its conservation. Economic action was taken in January 2008 through a program of buy-out fishing permits, as a solution to reduce by-catch deaths to zero. However, as of December of 2011, only 340 permits have been withdrawn which is coupled with the refusal of the public to surrender fishing permits because fishing is the most important economic activity in the region. The transformation of fishing activities into tourism services is still not the solution to save the vaquita from extinction. This problem requires developing a viable economic alternative and proper management of the social aspects of the communities involved. The authorities have few years to find a solution before the vaquita is the second species to disappear due to human activities.
1 citations
Cites background from "Artisanal Shrimp Fishing in the Bio..."
...Stopping shrimp fishing is almost impossible because the Mexican market for shrimp is very important (Rodríguez-Quiroz et al. 2009)....
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Dissertation•
26 Aug 2016
1 citations
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01 Jan 2002
TL;DR: In this paper, the causes and quantification of population vulnerability are discussed, and a model based on count-based PVA is proposed to assess population growth and viability in conservation decision-making.
Abstract: Preface - What Is PVA, and How Can It Be Used in Conservation Decision-making? - The Causes and Quantification of Population Vulnerability - Count-based PVA: Density-independent Models - Count-based PVA: Incorporating Density Dependence, Demographic Stochasticity, Correlated Environments, Catastrophes and Bonanzas - Accounting for Observation Error in Count-based PVAs - Demographic PVAs: Using Demographic Data to Build Stochastic Projection Matrix Models - Demographic PVAs: Using Projection Matrices to Assess Population Growth and Viability - Demographic PVAs Based on Vital Rates: Removing Sampling Variation and Incorporating Large Variance, Correlated Environments, Demographic Stochasticity, and Density Dependence into Matrix Models - Using Demographic PVA Models in Management: Sensitivity and Elasticity Analysis - Multi-site PVAs: The Interaction of Dispersal and Environmental Correlation - Multi-site PVAs: Methods of Analysis for Spatially Complex Populations - Critiques and Cautions: When to Perform (and When Not to Perform) a PVA - References
1,180 citations
"Artisanal Shrimp Fishing in the Bio..." refers background in this paper
...These species are also at risk of extinction due to low existing numbers (Morris & Doak, 2003) and reduced habitat (Rojas-Bracho et al., 2006)....
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TL;DR: Complementary species sets did not coincide and overlapped little with higher taxon sets, and the assumptions of surrogacy, on which so much conservation planning is based, are not supported.
Abstract: The efficient representation of all species in conservation planning is problematic. Often, species distribution is assessed by dividing the land into a grid; complementary sets of grids, in which each taxon is represented at least once, are then sought. To determine if this approach provides useful surrogate information, species and higher taxon data for South African plants and animals were analyzed. Complementary species sets did not coincide and overlapped little with higher taxon sets. Survey extent and taxonomic knowledge did not affect this overlap. Thus, the assumptions of surrogacy, on which so much conservation planning is based, are not supported.
370 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed characteristics and approaches that contribute to successful global marine conservation efforts and highlighted the importance of incorporating stakeholders at all stages of the design process for improved communi- cation and standardized expectations of stakeholder groups.
Abstract: As the process of marine-protected-area design and implementation evolves, the incorporation of new tools will advance our ability to create and maintain effective protected areas. We reviewed characteristics and approaches that contribute to successful global marine conservation efforts. One successful characteristic emphasized in most case studies is the importance of incorporating stakeholders at all phases of the process. Clearly defined goals and objectives at all stages of the design process are important for improved communi- cation and standardized expectations of stakeholder groups. The inclusion of available science to guide the size and design of marine protected areas and to guide clear monitoring strategies that assess success at sci- entific, social, and economic levels is also an important tool in the process. Common shortcomings in marine conservation planning strategies include government instability and resultant limitations to monitoring and enforcement, particularly in developing nations. Transferring knowledge to local community members has also presented challenges in areas where in situ training, local capacity, and existing infrastructure are sparse. Inaccessible, unavailable, or outdated science is often a limitation to conservation projects in developed and developing nations. To develop and maintain successful marine protected areas, it is necessary to acknowledge that each case is unique, to apply tools and lessons learned from other marine protected areas, and to maintain flexibility to adjust to the individual circumstances of the case at hand.
248 citations
"Artisanal Shrimp Fishing in the Bio..." refers background in this paper
...Shrimp production requires adopting strategies that allow for the management and conservation of the ecosystem (Palumbi et al., 2003), but includes the fishermen’s points of view throughout the negotiation process (Lundquist & Granek, 2005) as well as the views of law enforcement officials....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors report on a database that synthesizes information on 27 marine conservation planning cases from around the world and collect data on each case's geographic scale, primary planning objective and outcome, legal and institutional context, degree of stakeholder involvement and the ecological criteria and tools used to facilitate conservation decisions.
Abstract: In the last decade, there has been increasing interest—particularly among international non- governmental and multilateral development organizations—in evaluating the effectiveness of conservation and development projects. To evaluate success, we need more comprehensive and case-specific information on how conservation decisions are made. I report on a database that synthesizes information on 27 marine conservation planning cases from around the world. I collected data on each case's geographic scale, primary planning objective and outcome, legal and institutional context, degree of stakeholder involvement, and the ecological criteria and tools used to facilitate conservation decisions. The majority of cases were located in North and Central America, were regional in nature, and had biodiversity conservation as the primary plan- ning objectives. Outcomes included priority-setting plans and implementation of marine reserves and other types of marine protected areas. Governments and local nongovernmental organizations led more partici- patory processes than national and international nongovernmental organizations. Eleven cases considered ecological criteria first, whereas 16 relied on integrated criteria (ecological plus socioeconomic data and other pragmatic considerations) to select priority areas for conservation and management action. Key tools for data integration and synthesis were expert workshops, maps, and reserve-selection algorithms (i.e., computer-based tools for priority setting and reserve design). To facilitate evaluation of success, future documentation of marine conservation planning cases should include a standard set of ecological, social, economic, and institutional elements. To develop standards for effective marine conservation, a more diverse set of documented cases is needed; for example, those that failed were located outside North and Central America, focused on the local geographic scale, or were motivated by objectives other than biodiversity conservation.
178 citations
"Artisanal Shrimp Fishing in the Bio..." refers background in this paper
...We must strive to improve the quality of the life of fishermen while recovering the shrimp ecosystem and ensuring sustainability in the context of socio-economic, ecological, and institutional factors (Harris et al., 2005; Leslie, 2005)....
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TL;DR: Genetic analyses and population simulations suggest that the vaquita has always been rare, and that its extreme loss of genomic variability occurred over evolutionary time rather than being caused by human activities.
Abstract: The vaquita Phocoena sinus is a small porpoise that is endemic to the northern Gulf of California, Mexico. It is the most critically endangered marine small cetacean in the world. The most precise estimate of global abundance based on a 1997 survey is 567 (95% CI 177- 1073). 2. Vaquitas mainly live north of 30 ° 45 ' N and west of 114 ° 20 ' W. Their 'core area' consists of about 2235 km 2 centred around Rocas Consag, 40 km east of San Felipe, Baja California. Genetic analyses and population simulations suggest that the vaquita has always been rare, and that its extreme loss of genomic variability occurred over evolutionary time rather than being caused by human activities. 3. Gill nets for fish and shrimp cause very high rates of by-catch (entanglement) of vaquitas. Estimates of bycatch rates are from 1993-94 and refer to one of three main fishing ports: 84 per year (95% CI 14-155) using only data collected by observers and 39 per year (95% CI 14-93) using combined data from observers and interviews with fishermen. Boats from other ports may experience similar rates, and the total is probably well above what would be
135 citations
"Artisanal Shrimp Fishing in the Bio..." refers background in this paper
...These species are also at risk of extinction due to low existing numbers (Morris & Doak, 2003) and reduced habitat (Rojas-Bracho et al., 2006)....
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...The area is supported by a management programme that was designed to promote sustainable activities by durable and conservational use of biodiversity (SEMARNAT, 1995; Rojas-Bracho et al., 2006)....
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