In the Upper Gulf of Californiacooperation between fishermen, environmental organizations and companies is boosting the value of the products harvested through the artisanal fishingand strengthening the connections between responsible fishermen and end consumers.

In this region, Pronatura Noroeste, ABC Fishing y Cetacean Action Treasury (CAT) are developing the project Traceability in the Upper Gulf of California Fisherya tool that seeks to strengthen the sustainable fishing and protect the habitat of the vaquita porpoise.

This initiative is comprehensive and includes training in slaughtering techniques, the modification of fishing gear and the generation of value chains (traceability).

As part of this project, Pronatura Noroeste collaborates with governmental institutions in promoting co-management and self-regulation in the curvina and shrimp fisheries in cooperatives of San Felipewith the support of Embassy of Canada Local Initiatives Fund.

Juan Roberto Baez Montoyacollaborator of Pronatura Noroeste specialized in the creation of sustainable value chains in the artisanal fishing of northwestern Mexico, explained that the relationship with commercializadora The Sargasso is key to consolidating the value chain in the flake fisheries of the Upper Gulf of California.

"As Pronatura Noroeste has promoted good practices and good fishing gear that contribute to the conservation of the vaquita porpoise, we find that it is necessary that this production or that this fishing gear can be recognized both by the first buyer, which in this case is El Sargazo, and by the final consumer," he explained.

The Sargasso links fishermen with restaurants, fishmongers and distributors seeking products from responsible fishing. This approach allows the fishermen's efforts and commitment to the sustainable practices The company's products will be recognized and valued economically.

This project incorporates the application GoTraceThe company has developed a technological tool to record and document the entire process, from the start of fishing to the arrival of the product at the final consumer's premises.

"The fisherman, when he goes out on the fishing day, records information about the fishing activity of that day and how it progresses from the water to the arrival site in San Felipe, from there to the shipment to the El Sargazo plants, the handling and processing that is given to the product at the plant and that can be made visible to consumers," said Baez Montoya.

The representatives of the FCanadian Embassy's Local Initiatives Fund were able to observe the entire implementation process, from the departure of the fisherman to the arrival of the product at the Innato restaurantby the chef Jesús Vázquezwhere they had the opportunity to test it.

Pronatura Noroesteand the organizations and stakeholders that promote the sustainable fishingare strengthening the proposal of the Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) to incorporate more fishermen and promote these practices.

This also contributes to building a network of allies who value sustainability, focused in this project on the vaquita conservation.

Source: Pronatura Noroeste