FishSource

Mexico Yucatan red and black grouper - longline (FIP)

Last Updated: 2024-03-18

Progress Rating: B

Evaluation Start Date: 2014-06-04

Type: Comprehensive

Status: Active

FIP Lead: Centro Desarrollo y Pesca Sustentable (CeDePesca), Sea Delight (SD)

Stock Profile Link
Black grouper - Southern Gulf of Mexico
Red grouper - Gulf of Mexico and NW Atlantic

Comments:

The FIP reported in December 2023 and the last stage 4 result was reported in December 2022, keeping it on the cusp of 12 months old. The FIP has transitioned from comprehensive to basic- the FIP is B rated.

1. FIP Development	Sep 16	Fishery assessment or scoping document made public 24 September 2016 — Clarification on how MSC PA scores were transitioned by CeDePesca from MSC CR v1.3 to MSC CR v2.0 1 June 2014 — A Pre-Assessment Report is available for the Campeche Grouper Fishery
2. FIP Launch	Aug 18	Confirmation of project participants 20 August 2018 — Addendum to the framework agreement - new participants 1 April 2016 — Quirch Foods added as FIP participant 15 January 2014 — FIP participants signed an agreement - Participants are organised
2. FIP Launch	Dec 23	Workplan made public 28 December 2023 — Updated 2024 workplan 17 January 2023 — Updated 2023 Workplan 17 August 2018 — 2018-2020 workplan 1 April 2017 — 2017 workplan 1 October 2015 — Workplan 2015-2016 publicly available 4 June 2014 — Workplan is available with activities and timelines
3. FIP Implementation	Dec 23	FIP activities undertaken 1 December 2023 — Catch data has been made available from the 2023 season; the red grouper represents 46% of the catch and the black grouper represents 43% of the catch. 22 November 2023 — The FIP attended the Yucatan State Fisheries Council's Annual Session; a strategy was presented to safeguard the grouper fishery in the "Bajos del Norte" region aligning with the FIP's proposal for a permanent closure, which was accepted during the session and is undergoing the process of final publication. 15 November 2023 — The Yucatan State Fisheries and Aquaculture Council held a meeting to promote an increase in control actions in an effort to minimize the trade of illegal resources. 14 February 2023 — FIP held a meeting to discuss the results of the 3-year audit and review recommendations with INAPESCA. 26 January 2023 — After the workshop on Fishing Refuge Zones in Chicxulub, a subsequent meeting was conducted and the group presented and examined various project proposals. These proposals included expanding the ZRP area nearer to the coastline and implementing a prohibition on longline fishing and diving. 1 December 2022 — Update on local activities produced; The FIP continues to conduct outreach via local events to spread awareness of the importance of buying and sourcing sustainable seafood in the restaurant/ hospitality industry. 1 December 2022 — The National Fishing Charter (CNP) produced an analysis on the current situation of the red grouper fishery. 12 July 2022 — The FIP has undergone stock assessment peer review; publication of the assessment remains pending 1 June 2022 — Bycatch PSA analysis conducted for the Yucatan red and black grouper fishery; information continues to be gathered and recorded for secondary species 4 March 2022 — FIP attended traceability workshop; agenda made available 1 June 2021 — Grouper's collaborative research network has strengthened its structure; this network is formed today by 25 researchers from 6 research centers and 9 invited members 1 June 2021 — Pre-assessment of black grouper was presented; It suggests that in the last two years, catches are around or above maximum sustainalbe yield. 1 June 2021 — Several meetings held in the spring of 2021 1 February 2021 — Outreach campaign underway to decrease fishng effort directed at red and glack grouper 1 December 2020 — Draft of the NOM-038-Traceability is underway which will help implement a comprehensive traceability system in Mexico 1 December 2020 — A book is in prepared on the Red Grouper Fishery; CeDePesca is collaborating in Chapter 8 dedicated to the analysis of management tools and governance bodies. 25 November 2020 — Meeting of the Committee for the Sustainable Management of the Grouper Fishery was held in November 2020 1 May 2020 — Proposal for urgent measures was generated to ensure the contribution of fishing and aquaculture to food security during the Covid-19 crisis 1 January 2020 — "Together for Grouper" outreach event was developed in Culinaria School to promote the consumption of sustainable seafood. 1 February 2018 — Working with fishermen towards the implementation of a traceability program by the fleet. Informing about the requirements under the US Seafood Import Monitoring Program 1 December 2017 — Several activities took place to raise awareness in the community. Cartoons have been used in the program “Fish For The Future” that involves educational workshops with students, and also in awareness events with fishers. 1 August 2017 — A species catalog to help on target species identification by fishermen, has been created and revised by researcher Dr. Thierry Brulé 17 December 2016 — Working with stakeholders to improvement of fishing registry and implementation of a traceability system 1 August 2016 — A logbook to improve data collection was designed in collaboration with fishermen and researchers
4. Improvements in Fishing Practices and Fishery Management	Dec 22	Verifiable improvement in policy/management and fishing practices 28 December 2022 — Increase to PI 2.5.3; Three-year audit has been published- the FIP has collected sufficient information on the Bank of Campeche ecosystem and has determined that main functions and impacts to the ecosystem have been identified. 6 March 2020 — Increase PI score 3.1.1. based on the three year audit that the legal instrument in place is likely to be effective as fewer licensed fishers will be fishing 16 July 2019 — Increase in MSC PI scores 2.1.2.., 2.1.3. and 3.2.2. 25 April 2018 — Improve in MSC PI score 3.1.2 - stakeholders and authorities are seeking to implement actions to improve surveillance, enforcement, law compliance and establish the path to follow in order to improve grouper fishery sustainability, under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission. 1 December 2017 — The “Committee for the Sustainable Management of the Grouper Fishery” was officially created by CONAPESCA. 1 May 2016 — Data collection has started in Sisal and Chicxulub Port 11 March 2016 — Increase in MSC PI .2.1 - Fishery closure from February 1st to March 11th 2016. 1 October 2015 — Fisheries Management Nautical Committees re-established 1 April 2015 — Two month fishery closures agreed for 2016 1 November 2014 — Publication in the Official Mexican Government Law Journal of the "Management plan of red grouper and associated species in the Yucatan Peninsula"
5. Improvements on the Water	—	Verifiable improvement on the water
6. MSC certification (optional)	—	MSC certificate made public