SCS Global Services Report SMALL PELAGICS FISHERY IN SONORA, GULF OF CALIFORNIA MSC Fishery Assessment Report Public Certification Draft Report Prepared by: Dr. Carlos Alvarez (Lead, P1 & P3 Team Member) Ms. Sandra Andraka (P2 Team Member) Ms. Gabriela Anhalzer (Coordination, P2 Support) Dr. Sian Morgan (Quality Review) Natural Resources Division +1.510.452.xxxx [email protected] For Cámara Nacional de la Industria Pesquera (CANAINPES) Sonora, Mexico April 21st, 2017 2000 Powell Street, Ste. 600, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA +1.510.452.8000 main | +1.510.452.8001 fax www.SCSglobalServices.com SCS Global Services Report List of Tables .................................................................................................................... 1 List of Figures ................................................................................................................... 3 Glossary ........................................................................................................................... 6 1. Executive Summary ....................................................................................................... 9 Fishery Operations Overview ......................................................................................................................... 9 Assessment Overview .................................................................................................................................. 10 Summary of Findings ................................................................................................................................... 11 2. Authorship and Peer Reviewers ................................................................................... 12 2.1 Assessment Team ............................................................................................................. 12 2.2 Peer Reviewers ................................................................................................................. 13 Description of the Fishery ............................................................................................... 15 2.3 Unit(s) of Assessment (UoAs) and Scope of Certification Sought ......................................... 15 2.3.1 UoA and Proposed Unit of Certification (UoC) - Considered Final as Published in the Public Certification Report ..................................................................................................................................... 15 2.3.2 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Catch Data ...................................................................................... 18 2.3.3 Scope of Assessment in Relation to Enhanced Fisheries .................................................................... 18 2.3.4 Scope of Assessment in Relation to Introduced Species Based Fisheries (ISBF) ................................. 18 2.4 Overview of the Fishery .................................................................................................... 18 2.4.1 History of the Fishery .......................................................................................................................... 18 2.4.2 Organization and User Rights.............................................................................................................. 19 2.4.3 Areas ................................................................................................................................................... 21 2.4.4 General Management ......................................................................................................................... 22 2.4.5 Description of Fishing Practices: Gear and Seasons ............................................................................ 22 2.5 Principle One: Target Species Background ......................................................................... 23 2.5.1 Catch and Effort of the Small Pelagics Fishery .................................................................................... 23 2.5.2 Management ...................................................................................................................................... 28 2.5.3 Pacific Sardines ................................................................................................................................... 36 2.5.4 Thread Herring .................................................................................................................................... 52 2.6 Principle Two: Ecosystem Background ............................................................................... 61 2.6.1 Observer Programs ............................................................................................................................. 61 2.6.2 Overview of Non-Target Catch ............................................................................................................ 63 2.6.3 Retained Species ................................................................................................................................. 67 2.6.4 Bycatch Species ................................................................................................................................... 75 2.6.5 Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) Species ...................................................................... 78 2.6.6 Mitigation measures ........................................................................................................................... 91 2.6.7 Habitat Impacts ................................................................................................................................... 93 2.6.8 Ecosystem Impacts .............................................................................................................................. 99 2.7 Principle Three: Management System Background .......................................................... 102 2.7.1 Area of Operation and Relevant Jurisdictions................................................................................... 102 2.7.2 National Level Management ............................................................................................................. 103 2.7.3 Fishery-Specific Management ........................................................................................................... 104 2.7.4 Decision Making Processes ............................................................................................................... 106 2.7.5 Recognized Interest Groups .............................................................................................................. 107 2.7.6 Consultation Processes ..................................................................................................................... 107 2.7.7 Planned Education and Training for Interest Groups........................................................................ 109 2.7.8 Monitoring, Control, Surveillance and Enforcement ........................................................................ 110 2.7.9 Evaluation for the Management System .......................................................................................... 112 Version 1-0 (May 2016) | © SCS Global Services | Full Assessment Report MSC V2.0 SCS Global Services Report 4. Evaluation Procedure ................................................................................................ 113 4.1 Harmonized Fishery Assessment ..................................................................................... 113 4.2 Previous assessments ..................................................................................................... 115 4.3 Assessment Methodologies ............................................................................................ 118 4.4 Evaluation Processes and Techniques .............................................................................. 118 4.4.1 Site Visits ........................................................................................................................................... 118 4.4.2 Consultations .................................................................................................................................... 120 4.4.3 Evaluation Techniques ...................................................................................................................... 122 5. Traceability .............................................................................................................. 126 5.1 Eligibility Date ................................................................................................................ 126 5.2 Traceability within the Fishery ........................................................................................ 126 5.3 Eligibility to Enter Further Chains of Custody ................................................................... 129 5.4 Eligibility of Inseparable or Practicably Inseparable (IPI) stock(s) to Enter Further Chains of Custody................................................................................................................................ 130 6. Evaluation Results .................................................................................................... 132 6.1 Principle Level Scores ...................................................................................................... 132 6.3 Summary of PI Level Scores ............................................................................................. 133 6.4