Small-scale fisheries of lagoon estuarine complexes in Northwest Mexico

Small-scale fisheries of lagoon-estuarine complexes (LECs) in Northwest Mexico were investigated using official landings data. Species groups found in landings were clustered into three categories according to their life cycle and habitat distribution: Lagoon-estuarine (LE), Transition zone (TZ) and Coastal (CO). Average landings were highest for LE (19,606 t yr), followed by TZ (7,234 t yr), and CO (3,155 t yr). In contrast, the total number of fished species groups had an opposite pattern: LE, TZ, and CO bore 31, 66 and 74 species groups respectively. The number of species groups in LE category significantly increased towards LECs of southern latitudes. The families with highest landings in LECs were Penaeidae, Portunidae, Mugilidae, Scombridae, and Lutjanidae. The area of LECs was significantly correlated with the amount of landings recorded for LE category. A similarity analysis of LECs species groups revealed a latitudinal clustering of northern and southern LECs. Overall, fisheries in LECs produced millions of $US per year, which support socioeconomic activities at the local, regional, and national scale. Although the information and landings data on LECs fisheries in Northwest Mexico have limitations for data analysis, our results suggest that changes in fisheries management of LECs, such as bottom-up management actions where resource users can participate, could help establish more sustainable fishing practices in these ecosystems and allow coastal communities to continue obtaining economic benefits and food supply from LECs in Northwest Mexico.