Bitácora – Pesca ABC

ACTIVITY LOG

Pesca ABC and CICESE Join Forces to Study the California Sea Lion in the Upper Gulf of California

Pesca ABC and CICESE signed a collaboration agreement to strengthen scientific research on the California sea lion in the Upper Gulf of California, with the goal of supporting more sustainable fishing practices and protecting this declining species.

The alliance will focus on the Consag's island colony, where Pesca ABC already conducts monthly monitoring and takes actions to prevent entanglements. With support from CICESE, the project will incorporate new lines of research, such as diet analysis, microplastics, and population health, to better understand the state of the ecosystem.

This joint effort reinforces Pesca ABC's commitment to science, conservation, and community work in the region. Learn more.

Pesca ABC participates in the First National Women in Fisheries and Aquaculture Summit

On October 16, Catalina Carpio, a Pesca ABC representative, participated in the First National Women in Fisheries and Aquaculture Summit, organized by Mexico's Women Agency in Campeche, Mexico.

During her participation, Katy highlighted the importance of women in San Felipe's fishing industry, their contribution to the sustainable management of marine resources, and the challenges they face in balancing fisheries production with environmental conservation, in a context where their work still receives little visibility.

At Pesca ABC, we recognize women's leadership, like Katy's, who inspire and pave the way for more just, equitable, and sustainable fishing..

On October 16, Catalina Carpio, a Pesca ABC representative, participated in the First National Women in Fisheries and Aquaculture Summit, organized by Mexico's Women Agency in Campeche, Mexico.

At Pesca ABC, we recognize women's leadership, like Katy's, who inspire and pave the way for more just, equitable, and sustainable fishing..

Pesca ABC participates in the removal of abandoned fishing gear workshop

On October 6, 2025, Pesca ABC participated in the "Community Groups for the Removal of Abandoned Fishing Gear" workshop, organized by Comunidad y Biodiversidad A.C. (COBI) in La Paz, Baja California Sur.

The workshop brought together diving groups from Baja California and Sonora to share experiences, strengthen capacities, and coordinate efforts to keep our oceans free of fishing nets and abandoned fishing gear.

At Pesca ABC, we are proud to be part of these collaborative initiatives that promote marine conservation and the well-being of our coastal communities.

Upper Gulf of California Silver Curvina Fishery Improvement Project is Reactivated

On July 7, 2025, artisanal fishermen from the Upper Gulf met to launch a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP).

The San Felipe Fisheries Federation and the Puerto Peñasco Fishermen's Federation have joined forces to collaborate on improving handline fishing for silver curvina. The objective of this effort is to ensure the environmental, social, and economic viability of artisanal fisheries in the region.

Pesca ABC, in collaboration with Pronatura Noroeste and CEDO Intercultural, is privileged to support this project, which involves the El Sargazo distribution company and government agencies such as IMIPAS, CONAPESCA, SEPESCA BC, and the Upper Gulf Reserve.

Learn more about FIP projects here: www.fisheryprogress.org ‎

Photos: @Pronatura Noroeste

Pesca ABC has removed over 500 kilos of abandoned nets so far this year

Over the weekend, Pesca ABC – FAO CONANP's Third Expedition project took place, focusing on removing abandoned fishing nets that have been lost at sea. During this expedition, an additional 100 kilos were recovered, bringing the total to 500 kilos removed so far in 2025.

Abandoned nets pose a serious threat to marine life, indiscriminately trapping species and impacting the ecosystems of the Upper Gulf of California. At Pesca ABC, we remain committed to actively working to keep our seas clean and safe.

Additionally, we invite the community to join us this Thursday, June 5, 2025, for the National Beach Cleanup Day, an opportunity to prevent more waste and fishing gear from reaching the ocean.

Pesca ABC participates in ICPMX's 2025 Assembly

On May 16, our deputy director, Felipe Rocha, represented Pesca ABC at the Collective Impact Assembly for Mexican Fisheries and Aquaculture (ICPMX), a collaborative network made up of individuals and organizations from different sectors working together to strengthen the fishing sector, improve the quality of life of communities, and ensure the sustainability of fishing and aquaculture in Mexico.

During the Assembly and working sessions, progress, challenges, and proposals for building collective solutions for healthier oceans and more resilient communities were shared. We thank all the participants, as well as representatives of CONAPESCA, for their commitment and for continuing to promote dialogue and collaborative action.

Pesca ABC Participated in the "Women and Climate Solutions" Workshop

In early May 2025, our colleague Catalina Carpio, a female fisherman and representative of Pesca ABC, participated in the "Women and Climate Solutions" workshop, a space promoted by Gender Equality at Sea, an initiative of Comunidad y Biodiversidad A.C. (COBI).

Gender Equality at Sea is a pillar of COBI that seeks, through collective action, to promote the equitable participation of women and men in decision-making to achieve lasting results in marine conservation and sustainable fisheries.

From San Felipe, Katy shared her experience facing challenges, breaking stereotypes, and building real solutions from the community. We celebrate her participation and that of all the women who are leading the way toward a more just and resilient future for our oceans with strength and commitment.

250 kilos of ghost nets removed from the sea

In March of 2025, the diving team at Pesca ABC and our deputy director, Felipe Rocha, removed more than 250 kilos of abandoned nets from the marine vaquita habitat. These "ghost nets" represent a serious threat to biodiversity, indiscriminately trapping fish and marine mammals and endangering life in our oceans.

These efforts were made possible thanks to the collaboration with Acuario Oceánico, the divers of the FAO-CONANP project, and the invaluable support of The CEK Foundation.

At Pesca ABC, we remain committed to marine conservation and protecting the marine vaquita. Together, we can have oceans without abandoned nets!

Pesca ABC's participation during Rostros' 2024 magazine launching

On February 27, 2025, our science coordinator, Georgina Castro Proal, represented Pesca ABC at Rostros' 2024 magazine launch, a Causa Natura's A.C. initiative that recognizes those who work to conserve the environment and oceans.

Along with other leaders who help us protect our oceans, we are proud to be part of this initiative.

Learn more here.

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.

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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