Participa / Convocatoria

Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs): Pathways Toward Recognized Sustainability

What are Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs)?

Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) are collaborative initiatives that help coastal communities move toward sustainable fisheries.

Inspired by international standards such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the Seafood Watch Program (SFW), and Fair Trade (FT), FIPs provide a flexible and scalable framework for improving the health of fish populations, protecting marine ecosystems, and strengthening resource management. Their approach combines science, community participation, and strategic partnerships to generate social, economic, and environmental benefits.

What does COBI do?

At COBI, we drive FIPs in Mexico that strengthen local leadership and open new opportunities for fishing communities. Our work focuses on:

1. Building strategic alliances among fishers, civil society organizations, authorities, markets, and academia.

2. Designing sustainable financial strategies through cost documentation and investment-source mapping.

3. Strengthening community capacities to implement improvements and transfer leadership to local actors.

4. Integrating technology, such as PescaData, for catch recording and monitoring using sustainability criteria.

Since 2017, we have supported the implementation of nine FIPs in Mexico (representing 33% of all FIPs nationwide) in key fisheries such as clams, pen shells (callo de hacha), Caribbean spiny lobster, jumbo squid, octopus, and multispecies finfish. These projects span regions that include the Northern Pacific, Gulf of California, Gulf of Mexico, and the Mexican Caribbean.

Who participates?

The FIPs involve:

1. Women, men, and youth fishers from coastal communities.

2. Civil society organizations that contribute technical expertise and logistical support.

3. Government agencies responsible for regulating and overseeing fisheries activities.

4. Mercados y empresas interesadas en prácticas sostenibles y cadenas de suministro responsables.

5. Instituciones académicas que brindan investigación y análisis científico.

Keep the Ocean Alive

With your donation, you support fishing communities and projects that protect species, restore ecosystems, and help secure a sustainable future for all.

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List of additional resources:

Shiny App – Sistema de Costeo para Herramientas de Reservas Marinas y Proyectos de Mejora Pesquera – https://innovacionazul.shinyapps.io/AppCosteo/
PescaData – https://pescadata.org/