Population structure and sub-legal catch in a California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) fishery in Baja California, Mexico

Promoting sustainable fisheries is a global challenge. Growing numbers of initiatives identify sustainable fishing practices through certification programs. One of themost widespread and impactful is the Marine Stewardship Council, which, in 2004, certified the California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus, Palinuridae) trap fishery of Baja California, Mexico as the first certified small-scale fishery in a developing nation. Despite this success, questions about the possible impact of high bycatch of sub-legal lobster, and the efficacy of current management practices under scenarios of increasing future stressors, remain. This study quantifies (1) catch structure and sub-legal bycatch rate of a fishing cooperative of Baja California, Mexico; and (2) rate of sub-legal recaptures. We found high rates of sub-legal bycatch (82.0%) consistent with previous studies. Multiple recaptures occurred in similar to 12% of tagged sub-legal individuals, raising questions about the potential impact of multiple recaptures. Results support previous assumptions of high post-release survival of sub-legal individuals but highlight a need for research on potential impacts of multiple recaptures to increase fishery sustainability and resilience, especially under potential future stressful conditions.