On the road to achieving a sustainable fishing in the riverine or artisanal sector, the adoption of digital solutions can become an ally for fishermen.
The Mexican Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) certainly believes it is possible, which is why in February of this year it organized the event Marea Digital: technology solutions for sustainable fishingwhich brought together in La PazThe event was attended by representatives of 38 non-governmental organizations and initiatives, 25 fishing cooperatives, 13 digital development and innovation companies, 10 public entities and 8 research centers from different regions of the country.
There, they shared knowledge and experiences about the potential of the digital tools in the creation of solutions to the diverse challenges faced by the fishing sector.
Ecosur and EDF Mexico presented data obtained from the Diagnosis of digital capabilities in small-scale fishing communities in Mexico, which arose in the lagoon systems Carmen-Pajonal-Machonain Tabasco; Chacahua-Pastoriaof Oaxaca; and Pavilion Altata-Ensenadain Sinaloa, in order to measure the level of digital literacy of the fishermen.
This report highlights that the digital tools currently used by fishermen are the cell phone, for communication, and GPS or video probes, linked to their fishing gear, but they can extend their fishing technology horizons to implement virtual fish marketsThe company's activities include: strengthening traditional gastronomic supply chains, implementing mechatronic or radar instruments integrated into traditional fishing gear, reducing the risk of the activity and the traceability of its products.
EDF Mexico indicates that Marea Digital revolved around four thematic axes related to the use of technologies for sustainable fisheries: food systems, seafood production chain, ecosystems and climate change, and digital scaling.
"Marea Digital was a space of possibilities, where new linkages focused on digital scaling were favored among the attendees. Networking was essential for producers, marketers, academics and technologists to explore their respective challenges and projects aimed at solving them with the help of technological tools," he explains.
The non-profit organization emphasized that recommendations were generated for the implementation of digital technologies in small-scale fisheries in Mexico, among which the following stand out:
- To propose digital adoption processes based on data, gender equity and focused on people.
- Include technical support as a key element during digital implementation.
- Consult market analyses or, if possible, carry out cost-benefit studies to make strategic decisions and know the return on investment, in the case of commercial projects.
- Organizations, decision makers and technology companies must be engaged early during the development of regulations.
EDF is following up on proposals from solutions, individuals and communities interested in adopting technology to achieve a more orderly and sustainable fishery in Mexico.
Source: EDF Mexico
