The members of the Fishermen's Organization Rescuing the Inlet (OPRE) have learned from their past and do not want to repeat it. fishing activity.

With the impetus of a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), are seeking to certify their practices and add value to the fishery products. ax callusin order to gain access to international markets where sustainability is a prerequisite.

Ramón Antonio Ángel Méndeza member of OPREsaid that the project is being supported by NOS Sustainable Northwest and the researcher Víctor Gerardo Vargas López who is a certified advisor, who has initiated training sessions with the fishermen to strengthen the practices already in place.

"The National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA) and the Mexican Institute for Research in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (IMIPAS) are notified that an evaluation is going to be made, it is finished, they give us a catch period and we start working. We already know which areas of the bank are going to be worked, each panga brings its logbook where it registers at what time it left the shore of the beach, at what time it finished working, how many pieces of scallops were removed and it is sent to the area where the product is thawed," he explained.

A path to markets that demand sustainability

This effort did not come out of nowhere. More than a decade ago, El Manglito experienced a harsh experience of overexploitation of species. Bad practices, including illegal ones, led to the degradation of La Paz Cove and the scarcity of species. With this, the community changed and initiated the restoration of this body of water.

"First we restored the cove, cleaned up, planted seed, organized surveillance... all without knowing if one day they would give us the concession," recalled Ramón Ángel.

Today, with the concession in hand and a track record of responsible work, they are looking to go further.

He stressed that the FIP represents a tool that can open the door to a market where sustainable fishing is demanded.

"For example, Costco only buys one product from you as long as you are in a FIP," he said.

At present, the axe callus extracted by the fishermen from OPRE is marketed in cities such as Mazatlan, Culiacan, Mexico City and Tijuana, but with FIP certification from sustainable fishingThe value of the product can increase and reach markets beyond the border.

Ángel Méndez emphasized that not making the same mistake twice encourages them to bet on fishery improvement practicesThe families of El Manglito are convinced that this will ensure a clean cove with product in the future, and will benefit the families of El Manglito economically.