Personal tools
Log in

Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Sections

These fisheries pages are the definitive source of fisheries information, and contain the most up-to-date information about assessments. We are currently testing a new fishery search tool and are seeking your feedback during the development process. Before switching to the new search please note that assessment documents may be missing for some fisheries during this beta phase.

 

Meet the fishers

Meet the Mexico Baja California red rock lobster fishers

Mexican Baja California red rock lobster fishery

In April 2004, the federation of fishing cooperatives, FEDECOOP, on the Pacific coast of Mexico made history by becoming the first community-based, developing world fishery to be certified under the MSC programme.

The fishery is composed of nine fishing cooperatives distributed over 10 villages along the central Pacific coast of Baja California in Northwestern Mexico. The Baja California red rock lobsters are caught in traps by 500 fishermen. 

“Generation after generation, our community has made its living from the lobster fishery,” said . “We have always been interested in sustainable fisheries and the results of the culture of cooperation and care for the marine resources by many generations are now evident in this sustainable lobster fishery.  The fishing cooperatives have maintained a close collaborative relationship with the management authorities which has resulted in a consensus based co-management system.”

Jesus Camacho
President, FEDECOOP

“The spiny lobster fishery between Isla Cedros and Punta Abreojos in the North Pacific region, now certified as sustainable, can teach us how to capitalize on globalization,” Luis Bourillon, executive president of Comunidad y Biodiversidad, said in a 2004 World Wildlife Fund press release.  “These organized fisheries will demonstrate to the rest of Mexico, Latin American and the world how a small business can benefit from global markets while supporting community development.”

Commercial success

The certification has provided FEDECOOP with an opportunity to access buyers in Europe, Asia and the United States, competing in an increasingly globalized market while maintaining the traditional livelihoods and lifestyle of their members.

For more information, visit the FEDECOOP website.



Document Actions

Related pages

Related documents