IN PURSUIT OF SUSTAINABLE FISHING IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF CALIFORNIA: AN UPDATE
June 28, 2020

 

The municipality of Mulegé in Baja California Sur, Mexico, is the largest municipality in the country, has coastline along both in the Pacific Ocean and the central Gulf from California (Sea of Cortez). On the central Gulf of California side of the peninsula, fishing in the Santa Rosalía-Mulegé Corridor had a great boom during the times of the giant squid ( Dosidicus gigas ) fishery, but this fishery has collapsed due mainly to oceanographic changes in the area, and fishing and the economic development of the region has declined. The majority of the squid processing plants have closed permanently and many fishing cooperatives fragmented into family cooperatives. Additionally, private fishing permit holders (“permisionarios”) reduced their fleet or declared bankruptcy. These factors have resulted in increasing unemployment, insecurity, and a loss of prestige in the fishing sector. Currently, approximately half of the fishermen in the Santa Rosalía – Mulegé corridor belong to a fishing cooperative and may or may not have fishing permits. The rest of the fisherman work as a free (unregulated) fisherman or under the protection of one or more local “permisionarios” who feed them to go fishing in exchange for the exclusive sale of the catch.

The collapse of the giant squid fishery also generated changes in the importance and value of local fisheries, prompting traditional fishermen who remained active to focus their activity on catching mainly different species of finfish, octopus, sharks, and rays, which were previously seen as secondary or alternative fisheries to that of the giant squid. Now that these species have become the main fisheries in the area, they are faced with increased fishing pressure and other problems caused by the collapse of the giant squid fishery. This diversification has also limited the collection of data related to the fishing effort, types of fishing gear used, catch composition, and catch sizes, which hinders the design and implementation of effective management measures.

Since 2014, Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) has been collaborating with local partners such as the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Muelgé (ITESME) and La fundación Hagamos Más Por Santa Rosalía (HMPSR) to implement the Mulegé Sustainable Fisheries Project (MSFP). Fishermen of the Santa Rosalía – Mulegé Corridor, have recently organized into a group called the “Alliance for Responsible Fishing in Mulegé,” and are collaborating with EcoWB and the MSFP in the design and implementation of a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), for the marine finfish fishery (i.e., California yellowtail , snappers, and groupers ). This FIP uses the criteria of the MSC sustainable fishing standard as a guide to improving the sustainability of the fishery, with the benefit of access to preferential markets that are interested in sustainable products.

As one of the first steps, a pre-assessment was carried out against the MSC standard to identify challenges and barriers to sustainability of the fishery. Based on the results of the pre-assessment, the FIP work team designed a work plan to specifically address the challenges identified. This work plan will be reviewed and validated by all interested parties that make up the FIP. However, these efforts have been delayed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely affected fishermen in Mexico, including fishermen along the Santa Rosalía – Mulegé corridor. As of this writing, the pandemic is still active with increasing cases, and although infection rates among fishermen and their families do not appear to be disproportionately high, the economic consequences have been devastating. The demand for fish and the price of the products has decreased by around 50%, due to the closure of restaurants, hotels, travel restrictions, and interruptions in the supply chain. Based on the activity of the fishing boats in the Mulegé ports, we estimate that less than half of the small-scale fishing fleet is currently operating and applying mitigations that allow them to reduce risk and keep operating expenses to a minimum.

In an effort to alleviate the economic impact of the pandemic, EcoWB has teamed up with HMSR to raise funds to buy and distribute food to families in need. If you would like to donate to the Fisheries Aid Fund, please contact EcoWB’s Project Manager Bernardo Sánchez at bernardo.sanchez@ecowb.org. EcoWB continues to move forward with analyzing data and preparing a sustainable fisheries work plan that will be implemented as the fishery recovers.

Without a doubt, this new reality will bring a number of changes for the Mexican fishing sector. EcoWB and its partners are committed to promoting sustainability and equity among stakeholders throughout these changes.

Managing the Mangroves of Jiquilisco Bay: Science, Collaboration, and Community

November 5, 2025
Since 2023 EcoWB has been contributing its technical expertise to a multi-phase restoration initiative led by Asociación Mangle and the Mangrove Action Project in El Salvador’s Jiquilisco Bay, one of Central America’s largest and most diverse mangrove ecosystems. Together, these organizations and our technical collaborators aim to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage this globally significant ecosystem that supports biodiversity and local livelihoods. Its mangroves are globally important in sequestering carbon to mitigate the effects of climate change. Jiquilisco Bay, located on the Pacific coast of southeastern El Salvador, is a place of exceptional natural richness and ecological importance. Recognized as both a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, it is home to one of Central America’s largest and most diverse mangrove forests, covering more than 20,000 hectares. These mangroves form the heart of the Jiquilisco Bay Biosphere Reserve, which spans around 400 km². It includes a mosaic of bays, channels, sandy beaches, islands, freshwater lagoons, and coastal forests. The reserve stretches along 50 kilometers of coastline between the Lempa River and the Jucuarán mountain range. The mangroves of Jiquilisco Bay—dominated by red, black, white, and buttonwood mangrove species—play a vital role in keeping the coast alive and protected. They reduce erosion, lessen storm impacts, and filter pollutants, acting as natural shields for coastal communities. Beneath their tangled roots, they are habitat for an astonishing variety of life, including fish, crabs, and sea turtles, such as the hawksbill, green, olive ridley, and leatherback, which are at risk of extinction. Above the water line they are vital for birds and other terrestrial animals. Beyond their ecological value, these mangroves are deeply connected to local communities, supporting fisheries, providing food and materials, and sustaining livelihoods. The project’s first phase focused on understanding trends in mangrove distribution and some of the factors influencing their health. Using Landsat satellite data and advanced machine learning techniques, EcoWB helped develop high-resolution maps of mangrove cover spanning three decades. This analysis identified key influences on mangrove viability, such as proximity to agriculture, urban expansion, elevation, soil conditions, and temperature. Building on that foundation, EcoWB supported a detailed assessment of mangrove cover changes and corresponding health and analysis of canopy height and aboveground biomass during a ten-year period (2016–2025) using Sentinel satellite and LiDAR data. The height and biomass (plant material) can be related to health, age, species composition, and site characteristics. The study underscored the need for continued protection, hydrological restoration, and community stewardship to strengthen ecosystem resilience. EcoWB is now helping translate that information into action through the creation of an open-source, interactive web platform. This tool will enable Asociación Mangle, the Mangrove Action Project, NGOs, government agencies, and local communities to visualize mangrove health trends and help identify priority conservation and restoration areas. Through knowledge transfer, EcoWB and its partners aim to empower local communities to make informed, science-based decisions for the long-term management of Jiquilisco Bay. This initiative demonstrates how collaboration, innovation, and community leadership can come together to safeguard one of Central America’s most vital coastal ecosystems. By combining cutting-edge science with local knowledge, EcoWB and its partners are helping ensure that Jiquilisco Bay’s mangroves—and the communities that depend on them—continue to thrive for generations to come. 

Supporting Those in Need During Uncertain Times

By Becky Muston • June 4, 2025
As a volunteer-supported ecological assistance organization, EcoWB contributes to the vital work of the international aid community—supporting humanitarian and conservation efforts where ecological expertise can make a meaningful difference. In recent months, critical funding and staffing for international aid once provided through U.S. government programs have been withdrawn. The effects are already visible: environmental and humanitarian programs paused, local teams let go, and progress at risk of stalling. Among the efforts most affected are those tackling biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, water pollution, and climate change—areas where EcoWB has long provided professional expertise and hands-on project support. In response, we’re actively looking for opportunities to support projects that need ecological guidance or technical capacity to keep going. With our global network of skilled volunteers, we’re well placed to step in where others no longer can. If you know of places, partners, or organizations where environmental needs are going unmet—or if you're looking to make a meaningful impact— we’d love to hear from you . We also encourage those with the means to do so to take a moment: research the organizations struggling on the frontlines, see where funding may have been cut, and consider offering your support. Now more than ever, action matters—whether it’s donating, volunteering, or simply amplifying the work that still needs doing.