Supporting further improvements in the Mexico red rock lobster fishery

• Improvements to stock assessments, harvesting and monitoring protocols.
• Knowledge sharing for ecosystems and habitats.
• Strengthened communications for management and surveillance. 

Collective expertise for improved performance

Baja California, in the Pacific northwest of Mexico, is home to the first small-scale fishery in a developing economy to achieve certification to the MSC Fisheries Standard – the certified Mexico Baja California red rock lobster fishery.

Now, a second red rock lobster fishery, also located in Baja California, is aiming to follow its certified Southern sister and achieve certification, with plans to enter full assessment to the MSC Fisheries Standard in 2025.

The red rock lobster fishery is currently making improvements to its performance through the In-Transition to MSC program. The fishery is one of two fisheries in the region to receive a renewed award from the MSC Transition Assistance Fund. This will enable further improvements to be made, prior to the fishery entering full assessment.

Collecting data and monitoring impacts

A cooperative approach to fisheries management is important for all the fisheries in Baja, California, Mexico and the grant will enable the red rock lobster fishery to knowledge share with its certified sister fishery and achieve best practice.

Funding will allow the fishery to collaborate with fishing authorities and expert marine biologists to collect, log and analyse data. This information will be used to make improvements to how lobster stocks are assessed and how harvest control rules are designed and implemented.

The local fishing organisations will also collaborate in a monitoring programme to estimate the impact of the fishery on Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) species. Data from close monitoring will be logged and inform detailed annual catch reports to support that the red rock lobster fishery has no commercial interest in ETP species or sharks, which are sometimes found in the traps before being released alive.