Analysis of management options for artisanal fishing of the Bigeye Croaker Micropogonias megalops (Gilbert, 1890) in the Upper Gulf of California

Abstract

Bigeye Croaker (Micropogonias megalops Gilbert 1890) is captured in the Upper Gulf of California (UGC) by local community fishers from San Felipe in Baja California, El Golfo de Santa Clara and Puerto Peñasco in Sonora. The calculated sustainable fishery index (SFI) identifies four production periods, one of low capture before 1999 (∼1451.49 t year−1); a second of fleet expansion (∼2408 t year−1); a third showing a production decline related to overfishing (> 923.85 t year−1); and a fourth of recovery, with standardization of production of about 1057 t year−1 (2004). A GIS survey indicated that almost 84% of the Bigeye Croaker fishery in the UGC occurs within two marine protected areas, of which almost 74% takes place inside the Biosphere Reserve of the UGC, and almost 79% in the Vaquita Refuge Area. Bigeye Croaker captured in the marine protected areas generates a gross profit of around US$501,000 year−1, with a return rate close to 73%. Fishing effort in the marine protected areas needs to undergo an interdisciplinary and complex evaluation due to the presence of endangered species in the region. This requires adequate management practices to enhance marine conservation without compromising fishermen's individual interests. Some approaches to manage this fishery within the protected marine areas are discussed.