Food Provisioning
The objective of the FP goal is to quantify the amount of seafood that is sustainably produced by wild-catch fisheries and mariculture operations in the region, with some reference to the proportion that stays in Mexico and supports the nutritional / protein demands of local communities.
This definition was defined by the Goalkeeper Group during Meeting #2 but is not finalized. See the Meeting #2 tab below for more details.
Typically, this goal assesses our ability to sustainably maximize wild-caught or farmed marine foods.
GOAL FOCUS
- Measures the amount of seafood that is sustainably harvested within the GoC for human consumption or export.
- Aims to maximize sustainable seafood production.
- Typically split into two subgoals: wild-caught fisheries (including artisanal, commercial, and recreational fisheries) and mariculture. But this can be altered.
Key Questions
What is the ideal sustainable state of the Food Provisioning goal?
Fisheries Subgoal
- The reference point is (typically) that all stocks in the region are sustainably managed, but how can we determine whether stocks are being sustainably managed? For the global assessment we use formal stock assessments (i.e., B/Bmsy).
- How do we weight the stocks (i.e., do all stocks count the same, should we weight by abundance)
- Should there be any penalties for underharvesting?
Mariculture Subgoal
- How can we determine the sustainability of mariculture practices?
- What reference point should be used?
Goalkeeper Meetings
All resources shared during our meetings can be accessed in the groupâs shared google drive here.
Meeting Access
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3255055973
Team Members
Names of team members listed in alphabetical order
- Octavio Aburto
- Mar Mancha-Cisneros
- Andres Cisneros Montemayor
- Hem Nalini Morzaria-Luna
- Jorge Torre
- Leonardo Vazquez
- Juan Carlos Villaseñor-Derbez
Meeting Schedule (Tuesday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT)
| Meeting | Date | Specific Date | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | July | July 22, 2025 | Group introductions, OHI platform overview, goal calculations |
| 2 | August | August 19, 2025 | Model and reference point discussion |
| 3 | September | September 23, 2025 | Model, reference point, and data sources |
| 4 | October | October 21, 2025 | Preliminary results and pressure/resilience |
| 5 | November | November 18, 2025 | Final analysis plan review |
| 6 | December | December 9, 2025 (tentative) | Tentative |
Google Calendar
Add the shared calendar to your Google Calendar account using the provided link. It will appear under âOther calendarsâ and provide access to all scheduled meetings with updated Zoom links.
Please let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to working on this initiative with you!
Meeting #1 introduced participants and their research backgrounds related to the Gulf of California, with Erica facilitating and providing an overview of the Ocean Health Index. The group discussed the indexâs methodology and application to the Gulf of California region, including its assessment of various ocean health goals. The conversation ended with a discussion on the food provisioning goal, including how to define and measure sustainable food production from fisheries and mariculture in the Gulf of California. Participants were encouraged to prepare specific ideas for the next meeting.
Resources shared during Meeting #1
- Meeting #1 Presentation Slides
- learn more about Ocean Health Index, the goals of this project in the Gulf of California, and objectives for the Goalkeeper Group.
- Meeting #1 Summary & General Notes
- catch up on meetings you missed and review meeting summaries; keep track of resources and data bases shared during our meetings, and write down your quick thoughts offline.
In Meeting #2 Erica, Sophia, and AndrĂ©s discussed the Ocean Health Index projectâs Food Provisioning goal, exploring definitions that incorporate sustainability, nutritional security, and food sovereignty considerations. They debated whether to measure food sovereignty as part of Food Provisioning or as a separate score. Ultimately, they decided that it is probably best to focus the Food Provisioning Goal on sustainably caught or farmed seafood that supports local nutritional needs (e.g., demand for protein) while potentially addressing the important cultural value of food sovereignty as a sub-goal under the âSense of Belongingâ Goal. The group also discussed challenges in conducting fishery stock assessments at the regional level in Mexico and planned to consult government scientists about available data sources beyond CONAPESCA.
Resources shared during Meeting #2
- Meeting #2 Presentation Slides
- slides to guide our discussion. We discussed goal workflow, the definition for âFood Provisioningâ, and possible indicators.
- Meeting #2 Summary & General Notes
- catch up on meetings you missed and review meeting summaries; keep track of resources and data bases shared during our meetings, and write down your quick thoughts offline.
Homework for FP Meeting #3: Think about what indicators (variables) we should include in our model to estimate regional scores for Food Provisioning. Come prepared to discuss indicators and relevant data sources beyond CONAPESCA data. If we use CONAPESCA data, what stocks do you think will be problematic or most difficult to asses?
In Meeting #3, we will finalize the definition of âFood Provisioningâ in the Gulf and discuss model indicators. Think about what indicators (variables) we should include in our model for Food Provisioning. Come prepared to discuss this and relevant data sources beyond CONAPESCA. If we use CONAPESCA data, what stocks do you think will be problematic or most difficult to asses?
Stay tuned for Meeting #3 resources.
Expert Working Group (EWG) Meetings
These are some of the points discussed by the Expert Working Group.
Contaminant pressures (mercury and selenium):
- Mercury (Hg) accumulation in fish is a significant pressure affecting seafood sustainability and human health (although Selenium may also be relevant as a counteracting element).
- Human health data related to mercury exposure could serve as a useful proxy indicator of seafood safety and environmental pressure.
Local Community Access and Benefits:
- May want to consider where fish are caught geographically and what percentage of the catch benefits local communities versus export or external markets.
- This helps assess food security and equitable distribution of seafood resources.
Environmental Impacts:
- Fish waste discharged back into the ocean is a notable environmental concern, potentially impacting ecosystem health.