JOHN STEINBECK WROTE IN HIS BOOK The Logbook of the Sea of Cortez “it seems apparent that species are only commas in a sentence, that each species is at once the point and the base of the pyramid, that all life is relational.” This brilliant, almost mystical observation came from experiencing the rich and abundant life of the Gulf of California firsthand. Sadly, the incredibly abundant diverse marine ecosystem has suffered greatly due to overfishing, and historical wildlife populations have shifted and shrunk so much that it might be unrecognizable to Steinbeck today.
Andrea Saenz-Arroyo captured the sense of “shifting baselines” throughout the Gulf of California in her work as chief scientist for the Mexican NGO “Comunidad y Biodiversidad” or COBI. She and her co-authors wrote in 2005 that each generation perceives a different “status quo” both in terms of fisheries and biodiversity loss. She recently won the prestigious Pew fellowship in 2011 for her work in marine conservation.
Various NGOs in Mexico—Niparaja, COBI, Pronatura Noroeste, CEDO, SuMar and many others—work in the field among local communities and fisheries throughout the Gulf of California region. This work takes various forms, including from capacity–building for local fishers, promoting community participation in management of fisheries and MPAs, to technical training for scientific measurement of fish populations.
Niparaja and COBI organize a biannual event that amplifies the successes of these NGOs in the Gulf of California that promotes peer–to–peer learning. This approach—called “Pescador a Pescador” or “Fisher to Fisher”—bolsters the work of both NGOs and local fishing communities in sustainable fisheries.
Another project, PANGAS, brings together academic institutions and NGOs in working on community–based, artisanal, and sustainable approach to fisheries management in the Upper Gulf and Midriff island areas. These coordinated efforts support the work of Mexican government agencies in their implementation of fisheries management plans and regulations.
In order to improve economic incentives for sustainable fisheries, many NGOs work not only on the “production” side of fishing, but also on the “demand” side. Organizations such as COBI, Niparaja, WWF and EDF all help identify improved fishing gear and techniques that not only reduce by catch (unintended fishing catch), but also increase the quality and market value of fish, with the goal of increasing revenue for small-scale fishers while minimizing environmental impact. They help connect these sustainable fisheries to valuable markets, working to ensure a self-sustaining, ongoing win-win success story for conservation.