Regionalization of the artisan fisheries in Baja California Sur, Mexico using the social criteria of the fishing cooperatives

Abstract

Objective: To generate a proposal for regional categorization (regionalization) of fishing villages in Baja California Sur, Mexico, following social and economic fishing criteria. Design/Methodology/Approach: Socioeconomic data on fishing in Mexico are analyzed. This regionalization uses data collected in the field on the conditions of artisanal fishing cooperatives in Baja California Sur, Mexico (BCS). Subsequently a geo-referential methodology linked to a database was applied. Database was re-categorized by nominal or ordinal statistical values, as it was the case for each. ArcView 3.2 Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to obtain the geo-referenced classification. Then, a geostatistical analysis derived from the Kriging tool was applied. Results: We obtained a regional classification of fishing in Mexico, displayed in maps with vector data. The regionalization is of a social nature, it shows a classification of cooperation level at artisanal fishing cooperatives in the fishing towns of northern Baja California Sur (BCS). Limitations/Implications: The lack of socioeconomic data on fisheries in Mexico has been an important limitation to generate a more accurate regionalization of the Mexican coasts. Findings/Conclusions: Analyzing the social and organizational factors of fishing is necessary for the understanding of marine socio-ecosystems in Mexico. These criteria joined to the use of computer tools allowed the regional geo-located categorization of areas with similar characteristics. Whit the use of this methodology the efficiency of the use of Kriging as a multi-specific analysis tool can be verified