Diagnostic of pacific bluefin tuna farming in the coast of Baja California, Mexico

Although the tuna fishery is one of the most important fisheries in Mexico, nowadays this activity is being replaced by tuna cage farming in the coast of Baja California. At present there are 12 tuna farms that operate under a Commercial Aquaculture Concession given by the government. The farms obtain their livestock from juvenile organisms caught from the environment. They are fed with fresh fish from the small pelagic fishery. The total area of the concessions covers 953.97 hectares. Total production increased from 16,968 kg in 2001 to 2’176,338 kg in 2008. Despite the economic importance of this activity, its impact on the bluefin tuna population and recruitment has not been assessed, as neither have been assessed the impact that this activity has on small pelagic species such as anchovies and sardines, since more than 53% of the landings of these species in Mexico are destined for tuna farms. Information on the impact that these farms have on the environment is also lacking. Although this activity is regulated by Mexican fishing and aquaculture laws, regulations specifically aimed at the bluefin tuna cage farming are needed in order to establish a sustainable management for the farming of this species in Mexico.