Mexican northwest coastal communities doing science

Abstract

In Mexico, the most significant fishing activity is small – scale or artisanal. The current situation of artisanal fisheries in Mexico shows an urgency for participatory fishing management approaches. The Gulf of California Marine Program (GCMP) created the Citizen Science Program (CSP) as a mechanism to integrate knowledge and experience of fishermen and scientists to understand the status of the most important commercial fisheries. We incorporate tools that bring a multidisciplinary group of people to integrate participatory research as a key part of the process, using technology and building trust within the work group. This program can enhance the ability to understand the interaction between humans and marine resources. Since 2009, the fishing communities of San Felipe in Baja California, El Golfo de Santa Clara in Sonora, Punta Abreojos, Puerto Adolfo López Mateos, Puerto San Carlos and Puerto Chale in Baja California Sur have been integrated to the CSP to understand spatial and temporal interactions between artisanal fisheries and natural resources. Until now we have an extensive fishing database and the capacity to analyze fishing dynamics from a regional scale and by community. The CSP has a positive impact on the conservation goals, this methodology is invaluable for research and sustainable community growth. The information generated is objective and has been incorporated into the decision-making processes in the communities and authorities have exposed their interest in implementing alternative management options that fit the needs of users