Socioeconomic characteristics of the abalone fishery along the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

This work describes the current characteristics of the abalone fishery alon g the peninsula of Baja California, Mexico from a social and economic point of view. The species Haliotis fulgens and H, corrugata are the principal p roducts of this fishery. During 1996, the abalone fishery had a total produ ction of about 400 t (meat weight). The value of this production has been e stimated to be 36 million dollars (US), considering the price of the end pr oduct is US $2,200.00 per box of 48 cans. This resource has been placed thi rd in importance of export for Mexico, because the price has increased subs tantially in recent years. In this paper, incomes and estimates of producti on costs for all aspects of the fishery within the Central zone of Baja Cal ifornia are given. The direct employment in the industry is about 450 emplo yed in the catch phase and 350 at the processing plant. Along the central w est, coast of the Baja Peninsula, there are nine fishing cooperatives and 1 50 abalone fishing boats. In each are a diver, a boat captain, and an air h andler. Each boat is 22-ft long, with a 55-HP motor and "Hookah" diving gea r and compressor. Eight plants process the catch.