Cannonball Jellyfish (Stomolophus Meleagris) in Mexico
The fishing and aquaculture situation emphasize the sector in the fulfillment of the Agenda 2030 and the Objectives of Sustainable Development; as well as the initiatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations regarding the importance and data improvement in terms of capture fisheries. An important challenge for the application of the Agenda 2030 is the understanding the sustainability difference between the developed countries and the developing countries, which has happened due to the increase of economic interdependence, in combination with a limited ability of management and governance in the developing countries.
Introduction
The fishing and aquaculture situation emphasize the sector in the fulfillment of the Agenda 2030 and the Objectives of Sustainable Development; as well as the initiatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations regarding the importance and data improvement in terms of capture fisheries. An important challenge for the application of the Agenda 2030 is the understanding the sustainability difference between the developed countries and the developing countries, which has happened due to the increase of economic interdependence, in combination with a limited ability of management and governance in the developing countries.
According to FAO [1], marine capture has recorded an important decreasing tendency in the traditional fisheries that will certainly keep volumes that will not surpass 15 million tons. However, the increase in strict management measures and the required adaptation of the fisheries communities to the climate change effects will be determinants for the opening of new fisheries that could revert the tendency observed. It is crucial to improve the fishing regulations and bolster actions that allow the sustainability of the emergent fisheries, as the cannonball jellyfish in the Mexican Pacific Ocean.
In Sonora, this fishery is in a development stage, that is why is considered an excellent option for a sustainable consolidation in a manner that ensures the capture, commercialization and consumption among the actors of the value chain; as well as to generate proposals aligned to public policies, food safety and commercial diversification focused to maintain and consolidate the fishery. Although it is true that nowadays, the fishery shows some problems for its permanent establishment, since pollution and increasing temperature that is taking place in the seas and oceans due to global warming. As well, as the noticeable diminish in the food chain of this species, has originated that the fishery activity be realized occasionally, diminishes in capture levels and being a latent problem for other relevant marine species for their commercial value, as the shrimp larvae. However, exists the interest from national and international institutions to preserve the ecosystem of the cannonball jellyfish, as it can be an important element for human consumption for its nutrimental properties, and for the cosmetic sector for its high contents of collagen.
Generalities of the Species
The jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris from the family Stomolophidae, commonly known as cannonball jellyfish, cabbage head or bullet jellyfish characterized in the Carta Nacional Pesquera [2], as part of the inventory of the fishery resources found in Federal Jurisdiction areas, susceptible of exploitation, regulated under guidelines, norms, strategies and other previsions for the conservation, protection and restoration as fishery resource. Among the 4 thousand species of jellyfish, 22 are edible; Stomolophus meleagris is the one with the greater presence in the California Gulf and recognized for human consumption [3].
The abundance of this organism represents a high inter annual variability with an annual life cycle of two phases: benthic (polipoide) and planktonic (medusoide). Presents high fertility rates and short longevity in its jellyfish phase (9 months) [2]. Primarily inhabits in the Northwest and East- Central coasts of the Pacific Ocean, in the states of Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Oaxaca, Tabasco y Sonora, but is in the late state where commercial fishery is carried out.
The capture area of this species resides in marine waters of California Gulf’s Federal Jurisdiction in the region of Santa Clara, Sonora. The capture is realized in the coasts of the following municipalities: Puerto Peñasco, Hermosillo, Guaymas, Empalme, Huatabampo and in the Alto Golfo of California whose water possess unique characteristics to be considered as the best in the world because of the habitat in which this species develops [2].
The cannonball jellyfish fishery belongs to the primary sector with potential for economic development, mainly in the fishery areas from the Alto Golfo de California to the south region of Sonora, where generates an important economic flow and employment sources. However, being a young fishery in Sonora that can be affected by overfishing, illegal, undeclared and barely regulated, risk in its permanent establishment as an economic activity as a result of the increased in temperatures due to global warming, just like the tangible decrease of this species’ food chain, caused by the pollution in seas and oceans has originated its occasional capture; according to studies realized by the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C., since 2010 the bloom or proliferation of jellyfish has been reduced in its duration until the middle of May, when before it lasted until the end of July, provoking a decreased in their catch levels.
Conclusion
It is necessary to provide public policies focused and oriented to the sustainability of the cannonball jellyfish fishery, seizing the increase of its population, which is supported with the fact that this species represents healthy and innocuous nourishment capable of providing certainty to the food security of the whole world.
References
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FAO (2019) Indicator ODS 2.1.2, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2018 and Agenda 2030.
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(2018) National Fishing Charter. Official Gazette of the Federation.
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Carvalho L, Lopez J, Garcia F (2012) Fecundidad de la medusa Stomolophus meleagris (Rhizostomeae: Stomolophidae) en el golfo de California. Revista de Biología Tropical 60(4): 17211729.
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