Red de Observadores Ciudadanos ROC  March 2024

The Citizens Observatory Network (span. Red de Observadores Ciudadanos, ROC) is a civil society organization, working towards protecting and conserving marine resources in the La Paz Bay area in Baja California Sur, Mexico. 

 

Relevance

La Paz Bay is located in the Gulf of California. The Gulf was declared UNESCO world heritage, as it hosts one of the most diverse marine wildlife in the world. For instance, the island Espiritu Santo, within the La Paz Bay area, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve area and national park, home to a diversity of sea birds, sea lions and turtles, including nesting and reproduction sites. 

 

Despite regulations, the abundant marine diversity has made it attractive to engage in illegal and/or illicit fishing. Thereby, Mexican legislation in marine protection can be circumvented: forbidden fishing methods can be applied that harm the environment, fish and humans, and species can be fished unregulated, including protected species. 

 

For a demonstration, follow this video link: https://youtu.be/AVqclsGGAZg?si=MmTfc3owcuxLSut0 

 

What is ROC's solution?

With the Mexican government lacking sufficient resources and ability to evidence illegal activities, ROC was founded to close this gap. Their mission is twofold: on the one hand, ROC aims to protect marine wildlife by monitoring potential illicit fishing activities in the bay through observation and data collection on the sea. 

 

Working with experienced captains and technical experts, ROC is able to perform regular coastal observations, “vigilancia”, during day and night, observe and collect data on potential illicit activities, and thereby provide authorities with the required information so that they can intervene accordingly. With ROC’s engagement, illicit fishing has decreased and prevalence of local species has in turn increased. 

 

On the other hand, ROC also assists the municipality by tracking the water quality in all surrounding beaches to ensure healthy beaches for humans and marine life. Due to ROC’s vast and longstanding hands-on experience, they are strengthening their network with civil society groups in Baja California Sur and around Mexico, sharing their knowledge and strengthening capacities. 

 

Conclusion

ROC operates closely with the different authorities, from federal to local government, along with other civil society organizations seeking to protect and conserve the marine life of La Paz Bay. 

 

Two examples serve to demonstrate how ROC includes the local population: first, the captains of ROC were illegal fishermen themselves before joining ROC. They can thereby provide ROC with their knowledge and experience. Furthermore, ROC includes local stakeholders, such as the local fisherman alliances, and provides them with knowledge about the protected sites, species, permitted fishing seasons and methods, and illegal practices. 

 

From an environmental perspective, ROC’s “vigilancia” has successfully led to the reduction of illegal fishing activities and the endangered fish stocks in the Gulf of California are starting to recover. 

 

Forward-looking, ROC aims to increase their surveillance radius further north to Loreto Bay, where illegal fishing activities remain an ongoing issue. In order to do so, ROC has mandated the building of a new ship, which will allow the team to perform their surveillance work for several days. 

 

Website: https://roclapaz.org/ 

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