Introducing our second beta trial fishery – Mexico Campeche red snapper
This vertical and bottom longline fishery consists of three vessels, each 10m long and comprising three crew each. The wider fishery targets the red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) and produces 50 metric tons per year (fishery), whereas these specific vessels engaging with the trial (and who already have an active fishery improvement project on Fishery Progress) produce 9 metric tons per year.
There is a fishing cooperative in place – Pescadores de Nuevo Campechito SC de RL de CV. The cooperative mainly sells to several Mexican distributors/exporters, who then coordinate the export to the US.
The main barrier that the fishery faces is that the cooperative is located in a remote community. The English language also represents a challenge for fishers and the leader of the fishing organisation. The fishing cooperative is small, so they have limited production to offer to the market. Also, fishers and people who work in the processing plant must receive adequate training to achieve better post-capture processing that allows them to meet market requirements.
The existing FIP is currently undergoing a pre-assessment to integrate new species. Therefore, the fishery’s main aspiration is that other market opportunities would engage with the producers and contribute to improving income to the producers, wellbeing and sustainable practices within the FIP.
When asked about their first impressions of Community Catch, they responded saying it was a ‘promising fishing standard that offers hope for small-scale fisheries’. The evaluation of the completed self-assessment is being conducted by the Conformity Assessment Body MRAG Americas. Stay tuned for updates on this trial fishery, and keep an eye out for our next fishery profile.