Export market influence on the development of the Pacific shrimp fishery of Sonora, Mexico

Abstract

The Pacific shrimp fishery is the most economically important and ecologically impactful fishery in Mexico. Strong export markets have had a tremendous influence on the technological development and structure of this fishery. This article describes the historical development, current status, ecological impacts and management of the open ocean trawling component of the shrimp fishery in the Sonoran waters of the Gulf of California. We trace the economic factors influencing the development of the Mexican Pacific trawler-based shrimp fishery, with a focus on the port of Guaymas, Sonora, and summarize the events leading to the current overcapitalized and inefficient state of that fishery. The Sonoran shrimp fishery is characterized by high rates of by-catch and a decline in catch per boat trends. A review of economic factors indicates that the decision-making process in this fishery is driven by export markets and does not adequately consider the local ecosystems and fishing communities impacted by shrimp trawling. Management priorities for the fishery include fleet size reduction, habitat protection and alternative technology development. Successful management depends on the participation of powerful export–import companies, along side producers, government resource management agencies, NGOs and scientists. This paper describes recent efforts in collaborative management and calls for the expansion of these efforts.