A workshop designed to improve management of the mahi fishery in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with the eventual aim of Marine Stewardship Council certification for the fishery, was hosted by the World Wildlife Fund from 8 to 10 November in Lima, Peru.
More than 70 representatives representing the spectrum of the mahi supply chain, including individuals representing major buyers including Costco, Sysco and Kroger, and suppliers from Peru, Ecuador and Costa Rica, attended the “Market Engagement in Transitioning Fisheries and Improving Traceability” workshop. The meeting sought to disseminate information on the status and economic importance of fishery improvement projects for mahi (also known as dorado or dolphinfish) in Ecuador and Peru, according to a WWF press release.
“As fish stocks are overdrawn and consumers demand more sustainable seafood, major retailers and food service providers are buying more often—some exclusively—from MSC-certified fisheries,” said Wendy Goyert, senior program officer for World Wildlife Fund’s oceans program. “Fishery improvement projects in Ecuador, Peru, and Costa Rica are critical steps on the path to MSC certification that enable fishers and their communities to continue meeting global demand in ways that are environmentally sustainable.”
Fishery improvement projects for mahi have already been created in Ecuador and Peru, and WWF and other stakeholders are currently developing a mahi fishery improvement project in Costa Rica. The goal, WWF said, is to improve the fisheries’ practices as part of an effort to achieve MSC certification.
According to WWF, the Peruvian and Ecuadorian mahi fisheries are working to address several critical challenges
“Because mahi mahi are highly migratory fish, international cooperation is needed to monitor and manage the fisheries across borders. By using new fishing gear, log books, and other tools and techniques, the fisheries are working to improve data collection and reduce the incidental catch of non-target species, such as sea turtles and sharks,” said Caroline Tippett, director of seafood engagement, WWF-US. “It’s critical to have the support and involvement of international and domestic business leaders as well as government officials, conservationists, and scientific institutions. The interest, commitments and support from large buyers for sustainable mahi mahi is giving fishermen here the assurance they need to make meaningful improvements on the water.”
John Henderschedt, director of the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection Program, also spoke at the meeting regarding the importance of traceability and transparency for mahi. A new law concerning illegal fishing regulation will soon come into force, he said, with potential implications for the mahi fisheries in South and Central America. Local regulations are important for ensuring compliance with U.S. laws governing the import of mahi, Henderschedt said, including the use of appropriate equipment, compliance with closed seasons and minimum catch size, and effective monitoring and enforcement.
Peru’s Vice Minister of Fishing and Aquaculture, Rear Admiral Héctor Soldi, also addressed the workshop, informing attendees about the importance of balancing economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
David Schorr, head of WWF’s Transparent Seas Project, called the workshop a success.
“To be sustainable, seafood must be traceable from bait to plate,” Schorr said. “Fishermen and their buyers have to work together to set common specifications for traceability systems that can work across different fisheries. Fortunately, the meeting’s attendees recognized the importance of this issue and are working together to make the mahi mahi supply chain more transparent.”
