The decrease in fishery catches in Baja California is not because of over exploitation, but the large schools are outside the area where the fleet is operating.
 
According to Fisheries Sub-delegate Jose de Jesus Gallo, the final figures show a decrease in the overall production of 20.778 tons in total. The total 2007 figures reached 67.812 tons, while having fished 88.594 tons in 2006. This represents a 23.5% fall.

This decline is mainly caused by the sardine, which fishery dropped from 57.204 tons in 2006 to only 35.745 tons in 2007. This equals 21.459 tons less than in the previous year, which represents a 37.5% drop.

Mr. Gallo also pointed out that pelagic species are highly migratory and are easily affected by temperature changes. Therefore, temperature alterations can hinder captures.

He added that statistics reflect production volumes that capture the local fleet and in this volume are considered all resources regardless of their status, hence other resources as the benthic glued to the bottom and did not have great mobility kept the average their production.

He added that besides the sardine, tuna was also outside the fishing area of the fleet, species that feed on sardines. “This does not mean” he insisted” that the tuna population at risk in its ecological balance.”

In the case of bluefin tuna, the drop was also quite significant given that it passed from 10.793 tons in 2006 to 6.673 tons in 2007, corresponding to a 38.2% fall.

This is the official ending of pelagic regulate behavior because they are migratory and then depends on the availability and accessibility of it.

Source: Mexican Press