Participatory research to understand spatio-temporal dynamics of small-scale fleets: The C. bellicosus fishery in Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Abstract

Small scale fishing is one of the main sources of income, food, and livelihoods for coastal communities. Despite this, it is an activity that faces challenges, among others the lack of scientific information about the state of the resources and the operation of fleets both necessary for management/conservation decisions. Magdalena Bay, a region recognized for supporting important fisheries, contributes more than 75% of the production of warrior swimming crab in Baja California Sur (BCS). Therefore, the present study intends to understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of the warrior swimming crab fleets from collaborative efforts with fishers in the generation and interpretation of information. Official catch landing reports database for the period 2001–2018 was used, spatio-temporal data of the fleets operations was generated through GPS data loggers (2015–2018), and the results were validated and complemented through surveys that incorporate local knowledge. The results include the analysis of catch per trip and fishing intensity, which identify more than 6800 fishing grounds and five main fishing areas Los Arenales, Estero Las Tijeras, Isla de Patos, and La Boya. The average indicators per daily operations determined that the best season for the fishing of warrior swimming crab is summer to autumn when 42.3 kg was captured, covering 43.9 km, and 33.6 L of fuel plus 8.9 h were invested. It was found that 51% of the fisher's fish exclusively warrior swimming crab, while the rest alternate their activities with others fisheries such as finfish, geoduck clam, and shrimp. Maps and economic indicators obtained are valuable inputs to reflect on best fishing practices and improvements in management measures in use, with the advantage that these results were obtained with the participation of users, in a transparent way, and consequently improves their use and acceptance.