4.2.1 Recommendations

Species like the Gulf grouper were virtually eradicated from the Loreto region several years ago (Saenz-Arroyo et al., 2005a, b). Actual data indicate that other species, including the Leopard grouper, are showing signs of overfishing (Sala et al. 2004; Saenz- Arroyo et al., 2005a, b; Wielgus et al., in prep) but it only becomes apparent when fisheries data is disaggregated by species. Mexican fishing statistics group different species in a single group. The category of “Groupers” has been increasing in catch volume since 1988, and CPUE for this group has been growing since 1980 (Sala et al. 2004; Saenz-Arroyo et al., 2005b). This can lead to a false interpretation that these trends are signs of healthy fish stocks. The effects of sportfishing cannot be quantified because there is no data collection; there is no information on the number of trips or what species and how much of each species is extracted. This information would prove useful if discussions about activity regulations arise.

There hasn’t been any investment in training or technological upgrades that make fishing more economically efficient and environmentally sustainable. Some of the problems this industry has been facing over the past years include fishermen migrating to BCS, large number of middlemen, lack of marketing skills on behalf of the fishing coops, lack of research related to fish population dynamics, and illegal trafficking. Infrastructure deterioration and obsolete equipment are two major problems that need immediate attention if sustainable practices are to be reached (Díaz-Gea et al., 2001; Kiy et al., 2005).

The future of Loreto depends on the wellbeing of the surrounding environment. In order to support any type of development in the area, management officials as well as city and government officials need to regulate and control all activities that impact the region’s natural resource stocks. The most urgent need is the establishment of ecosystem-based fisheries management, and officials need to find an effective way to implement and enforce this management scheme. Conservation of critical habitats and spawning aggregations should be among the most important issues to address since their protection ensures replenishment of adult populations of target species. Sustainable fisheries should be based on scientific research that incorporates adaptive management criteria based on the fishery’s ecological impact and its economic value. It is critical that local fishermen are able to adjust their activities as the fishery changes without compromising their livelihood. An investment in technology (better boats, engines or fishing gear) will make the extraction process more efficient only if the volume of target species increases and the bycatch and environmental damage is reduced (Casas-Valdez, 2004). Fishing quotas should be based on local or regional studies of target species, and they should differ from other places if the fishery takes place inside marine protected area (Díaz-Gea et al., 2001).

Community development will be enhanced if the surrounding environment is healthy enough to support the livelihoods of local people. A development like the one planned by FONATUR implies that there will be large amounts of money invested in the area, creating new growth opportunities for the city and its inhabitants. However, the economic value of local resources has yet to be analyzed. It is important to know what the short and long-term economic impacts of the development will be on a local and regional scale. This will aid in future decisions on how to manage the region’s resources and on the area’s development.