Small-Scale Fisheries: Analyzing the

conservation methods and laws implemented in Baja California,

Mexico

Jessica Hernandez

Baja California, Mexico

Mexico’s northwestern peninsula

High ecotourism

The location of many tribes such as the Pai Pai and Kiwila, but currently is the major location for the Cucapa tribe.

Cucupa tribe and the inhabitants of the region depend on marine resources- small-scale fisheries

Small-Scale Fisheries

Fishermen- personal income and food source for their families and tribes

Alleviate poverty and serve as a food security

Utilize traditional practices and methods that do not involve technological devices or machinery

Small boat or vessels

Geographical History

Coastal tribes and individuals who live near the oceans have depended on small-scale fisheries for years

Miniscule economic impact on the country

Mexican government did not enforce laws in small-scale fisheries

2007- Marine scientists determined with evidence that they posed a threat to the accidental capture of endangered species

After 2007- Marine conservationists have been targeting small-scale fisheries

Environmental Factors

Eco-tourism

Urbanization to meet the needs of tourism

Overfishing done by large-scale fisheries

El Nino and natural hazards that affect the fish populations

Conservation

Small-scale fisheries is sustainable-does not contribute to overfishing.

Bycatch of endagered species like turtles, birds, etc is the only conservation problem caused by fishermen.

More sustainable practices that eliminate bycatch

Ecotourism- economic growth so not much has been done to address this issue.

More fishing laws implemented and enforced by the government

Environmental Economists- workshops for fishermen

Political Ecology

Global political ecology- involvement of other countries in the Mexican government and conservation towards small-scale fisheries (Peet)

Separation of nature and society- for many years the individuals who depend on the oceans have been able to balance fishing and the fish populations (Robbins)

Example of positive human interaction

Petro-Violence oceans face (Watts)

Eco-tourism =capitalist approach (Marx)

Conservation and Development

Ecological Democracy

Fishermen have the right to advocate laws they do not agree with

Organizations hold meetings for the fishermen to voice their opinions

Fishermen and their communities have not been relocated

Their natural resource is not exploited to yield higher profits

Large-scale fisheries pay higher taxes- fair

Assumptions

Maternal tribe depends on small-scale fisheries

Father- as a child was a fisherman-sustained his family

Example of outsiders coming to try to help but being oppressive

United States conservationists corrupting the Mexican government

Making it easier to relocate fishermen so seafood corporations take over

Not being an ecological democracy

Conclusion

Helps the fishermen and their people maintain their food and income source

Economic growth for them as well as the country

Helps avoid accidently trapping endangered species that were not meant to capture

Environmental Economic help provided

Inspired by the conservation work done towards small-scale fisheries

Concrete example that indigenous and scientific knowledge can work together-this conclusion led to my current work

-Motivated me to establish my own non-profit = Kaknab (Ocean)