Ecuador Mahi-mahi
FIP Stage: 5 (Improvements on the Water)
Last Updated: September 2021
Ecuador’s mahi mahi fishery is one of its most ecologically and economically valuable artisanal fisheries. The fishery supports 25,000 fishers and 95% of its exports go to the U.S. In addition to providing nutrition for people, mahi mahi is an important part of the marine ecosystem, providing food for many top marine predators such as sharks and dolphins. Since 2010, WWF has worked closely with the Ecuadorian government and mahi mahi exporters on a comprehensive FIP to move the fishery towards MSC certification. Over that time, more than 10,000 fishers have been engaged in FIP efforts through training on fishing regulations and best fishing practices, adopting bycatch reduction tools, welcoming onboard observers, and piloting a digital traceability system to test electronic logbooks and cameras onboard their vessels.
In February 2019, the fishery entered the MSC full assessment process but had to withdraw in December 2020 due to the lack of joint management between Peru and Ecuador of the shared mahi mahi stock. In April 2021, WWF Ecuador signed an MOU with Conservation Mahi Mahi to support the reinitiating and implementation of the comprehensive mahi mahi FIP. FIP implementation led by Conservation Mahi Mahi began in May 2021.
This highly migratory species presents a critical challenge: the development of international management measures across countries in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) to ensure that the species is fished sustainably. The fishery also needs to update its regional stock assessment regularly, improve knowledge of the fishery’s interaction with sharks, and continue to monitor and reduce sea turtle and seabird bycatch.
Since 2010, the active involvement of FIP Stakeholders, including the Ecuadorian Vice Ministry of Aquaculture and Fisheries and Under Secretary of Fishery Resources (SRP), have driven improvements in the fishery against the MSC standard.
© WWF-US / Molly Edmonds