Shrimp Trawler Studies

Shrimp Trawler Studies

Increasing scientific knowledge and informing conservation efforts

What We Do

Shrimp fishing poses a classic resource management dilemma. Shrimp is the most profitable fishery in Mexico, and most of shrimp fishing in Mexico happens in the Gulf of California. Close to 100% of shrimp caught by trawlers in the region is exported to the U.S., Asia and Europe. Yet, bottom trawling for shrimp causes very significant negative impacts on the local ecology and economy. One of the most significant impacts of this fishery worldwide is the very high rate of bycatch. The Center has sampled shrimp trawler bycatch in Kino Bay since 2003, with the participation of over 100 Prescott College students. The average rate of bycatch over the life of the study has been 85.3%, including 242 species of marine animals, 19 of which are protected, threatened or endangered. Thousands of tons of mostly juvenile animals caught as bycatch are discarded dead ever night in Kino Bay from late September through December. The goal of the Center’s bycatch studies is to inform consumers and local communities, and to impact management.