ACTIVITY LOG
The fishing community and authorities get unique training to sample strange objects in sea lions
Last October, Pesca ABC and Rescate de Lobos Marinos trained 28 members of the fishing community and authorities from PROFEPA, Mexico's Navy, and Mexico's National Commission of Protected Natural Areas to sample strange objects found in sea lions (Zalophus californianus).
During the training, participants prepared the necessary materials for handling this species and received techniques about good practices. Thanks to all attendees and facilitators for their participation.
Collection and Recycling of Discarded Fishing Gear Tournament Concludes at El Golfo de Santa Clara, Sonora
Pesca ABC successfully completed the first Collection and Recycling of Discarded Fishing Gear Tournament, held from August 17 to September 17 in the Gulf of Santa Clara, Sonora. The initiative included the participation of several organizations, institutions and teams that, for a month, dedicated themselves to removing abandoned fishing nets, thus contributing to the protection of the region's marine environment.
The award ceremony took place on October 10, where Pesca ABC recognized the efforts of the teams “Las Pejerreynas,” “Los Chamaco Prieto,” and “Playero Rojizo y Pejerrey,” who obtained first places for their commitment to the cause. Their work represents an important step in improving the conditions of the gulf and preserving local biodiversity.
This event highlights the importance of not leaving abandoned nets in the sea since these represent a risk to the ecosystem. Pesca ABC invites the community to join these actions and participate in future editions of the tournament.
Training workshops to prevent and mitigate sea lion entanglement
Between April 22 and 26, Cabet Cultura y Ambiente held a series of workshops directed to our staff at Pesca ABC. The workshops covered a variety of topics, such as seal lion photography, injury identification in entangled sea lions with fishing gear, the development of a sea lions catalog, and the development of an entangled sea lions database.
The highlight was the workshop aimed at our local fishermen on the use of the Diana hook for immediate attention to marine macrofauna gillnets. This workshop had the participation of prominent organizations and institutions such as Mexico's Navy (SEMAR), Mexico's National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP), the Port Captain's Office, the Oceanic Aquarium, and our team of fishers at Pesca ABC. We were also honored by the presence of Ramón Franco, leader of the fishermen's federation in the port of San Felipe.
Forty-three people participated, and 12 Diana-type hooks were distributed among representatives of the cooperatives, independent fishermen, and SEMAR, which was a huge step towards protecting and conserving our local marine life.
Pesca ABC during Mexico Senate's dialogue table for ghost net legislation
It is an honor to share with you that Pesca ABC participated in the Mexico Senate's dialogue table for ghost nets legislation, which took place on February 21.
We thank the Senate Environment Commission, Global Ghost Gear Initiative, ICCF-Mexico, and Ocean Conservancy for including us in this critical dialogue for the country's fishing communities.
We thank the Senate Environment Commission, Global Ghost Gear Initiative, ICCF-Mexico, and Ocean Conservancy for including us in this critical dialogue for the country's fishing communities.
Ghost net retrieval campaign in San Felipe
We are pleased to report that in January 2024, through specialized diving, the ghost net retrieval campaign in San Felipe began.
From January 19th through the 21st, around 500 kg of nets were removed during underwater maneuvers.
The complexity of this task, especially within conditions of limited visibility, underlines the importance of having a highly trained technical team. We recognize and applaud the dedication and professionalism of the team involved in these delicate operations.
Likewise, we extend our gratitude to the staff of Acuario Oceanico, Mexico's National Commission of Protected Natural Areas, the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve, and San Felipe's Fire Department for their invaluable support.
First Diving Training for Abandoned Fishing Gear Retrieval
During the first week of October, we were joined by our friends Edgardo Ochoa from Conservation International Mexico and Arturo Hernandez from Comunidad y Biodiversidad A.C. in San Felipe, Baja California. Together, we conducted the inaugural training program for the removal of abandoned fishing gear through diving.
In total, a team of six individuals underwent training, consisting of divers from the San Felipe community, Pesca ABC, Acuario Oceanico, and the Cetacean Action Treasury.
The aim of developing these skills is to establish a dedicated team capable of assisting in the removal of abandoned fishing gear in the waters of the Upper Gulf of California.
Pesca ABC participates in ICPMX's Mexican fisheries and aquaculture annual assembly
On September 27 and 28, Pesca ABC had the honor of participating in ICPMX's Mexican fisheries and aquaculture annual assembly held in Mexico City. Working meetings were conducted with the Social Welfare, Governance, and Markets groups during the event.
We greatly appreciate the invitation and our involvement in various efforts aimed at improving Mexico's fisheries and aquaculture system.
Pesca ABC, invited to chef collective launch
On Saturday, September 23, COMEPESCA A.C. and Pesca Con Futuro invited Pesca ABC to participate in the launch event of the Baja California Sur Chefs Collective.
Silver Corvina fished with a hook and slaughtered with the Ike-Jime technique; e was one of the event's protagonists. For Pesca ABC, it was a pleasure to share this delicacy from the Upper Gulf of California with the chefs of Baja Sur.
Pesca ABC, member of the ICPMX
In August 2023, Pesca ABC was accepted as a member of Impacto Colectivo por la Pesca y Acuacultura Mexicanas (ICPMX).
ICPMX is a space where proposals and consensual actions between fishing and aquaculture producers, fishing communities, the private and public sectors, consumers, and organized civil society are generated to improve the country's competitiveness, sustainability, and equity of fishing and aquaculture.
By becoming part of this collaborative network, we increase our capacity to improve the well-being of fishing communities and the health of the oceans.
New agreement with CABET, Cultura y Ambiente (sea lions rescue)
On August 25, 2023, a collaboration agreement was signed between Pesca Alternativa de Baja California and CABET, Cultura y Ambiente (sea lions rescue).
For more than a decade, CABET has implemented a program to mitigate the negative impacts of human activities on the well-being of sea lions through the release of entangled sea lions and veterinary care.
One of their main lines of work is technical training for civil society organizations and organized groups. By signing the agreement, we will be able to create the much-needed capabilities in San Felipe to replicate the success that the sea lion rescue program has had in other places on the Gulf of California peninsula.
Cocina La Baja 2023
We are pleased to highlight the participation of Pesca ABC and Mujeres Acuícolas del Mar de Cortes in Cocina la Baja 2023 that took place in Ensenada, Baja California, on July 15, where we joined a select group of 45 producers, restaurants, wineries, breweries, guest chefs and gastronomy schools.
It is an honor for us to have collaborated with the restaurants KOOL (Tijuana) and La Cocedora de Langosta (Ensenada), whose expert hands honored the product and the effort of the fishermen by creating exceptional dishes, to whom we provided fish extracted with hooks and sacrificed by the Ike-jime method, directly from the port of San Felipe, showing our commitment to quality and sustainability in local fishing, which led us to win third place in CLB due to the commitment of the Aquaculture Women of the Sea of Cortez and the talent of chef Francisco Guzmán, from the KOOL restaurant, with a curvina toast sacrificed with Ike-jime and overflowed with a pickle tepache base, which we all loved!
This producer-restaurant partnership highlighted the importance of a responsible approach to supply chain and culinary art, resulting in a memorable dining experience. We sincerely value the effort and dedication of everyone involved in this event, which undoubtedly positively impacted the world of regional gastronomy.
Vaquita Observation Cruise 2023
The team at Pesca ABC, in collaboration with Conanp, had the opportunity to be on board the 2023 Vaquita Marina Observation Cruise, which took place in the upper Gulf of California from May 11 to 26. For the results of the observation cruise, visit seashepherd.org seashepherd.org
Andrés Rubio Castro Federation, Pronatura Noroeste, and Pesca ABC Meeting
On Tuesday, May 30th, the Andrés Rubio Castro Federation, Pronatura Noroeste, and Pesca ABC held a meeting with authorities to achieve the collaboration of all parties in the fishery improvement project for scale fishing with hook and handline. During the meeting, we have the participation of Sepesca BC, Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve, INAPESCA, CEDO Intercultural, Acuario Ocáenico, MAREM AC, UABC, CICESE, and fishermen from San Felipe. Sepesca BC, Reserva de la Biosfera Alto Golfo de California y Delta del Río Colorado, INAPESCA , CEDO Intercultural, Acuario Oceánico, MAREM AC, UABC, CICESE y pescadores de San Felipe.
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