On Monday the 18th the Gulf of California Marine Program will have a busy day. During the morning sessions, Marcia Moreno-Báez will talk about our Citizen Science programs in the Upper Gulf of California and in Punta Abreojos and the impact they have had on these local communities’ involvement in fisheries management, conservation and in creating opportunities for improving fishing practices.
Do you have any questions for Marcia and the team? Remember, the team will be tweeting and reporting from the congress so if you’re on twitter follow Marcia (@SpatialOctopus), Catalina (@Catlosa_) and Octavio (@octavioaburto).
Take a look at the IMCC3 website for more information: http://www.conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2014
For full program visit: http://birenheide.com/IMCC2014/program/sessionlist.php 
Here’s her abstract:
A Collaborative Effort to Understand the Linkages of Small-scale Fisheries and Ecosystem Processes
Marcia Moreno-Báez *, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego; Catalina López-Sagastegui University of California Riverside; Ismael Mascareñas-Osorio Centro para la Biodiversidad Marina y la Conservación, A.C.; Juan José Cota-Nieto Centro para la Biodiversidad Marina y la Conservación, A.C.; Victoria M. Jiménez Esquivel Centro para la Biodiversidad Marina y la Conservación, A.C.; Brad Erisman Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego; Octavio Aburto-Oropeza Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego.
Abstract: Proper marine fisheries management is crucial for maintaining the economic livelihoods and food security of coastal communities, while protecting the structure and function of healthy marine ecosystems. The Gulf of California Marine Program has created a collaborative fisheries research in several fishing communities as a means to understand the spatial and temporal interactions between small-scale fishing activities, ecosystem processes, and natural protected areas. We present two case studies: 1) the Upper Gulf of California, where two endangered species are found and several space-based management measures have been implemented; and 2) a community in the Pacific Ocean (Punta Abreojos) where a valuable commercial species and their fishing areas distribution are exemplified in concordance with their concession. The data of more than 4000 fishing trips are included. Additionally, biological information of important commercial was integrated. Linkages of small-scale fishing activities and key biological processes were identified. Fishing practices and their interaction with marine protected areas are characterized and described. Our collaborative research program has facilitated the integration of scientific information into resource management and conservation strategies. Additionally, our approach has inspired local communities and fishers to participate actively in the management process, a necessity to identify opportunities for creating sustainable fishing practices.
