Mexican Baja California FEDECOOP Benthic Species Territorial Use Rights for Fishing System

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In 1992, the Mexican government awarded nine concessions (or management areas) to FEDECOOP that grant exclusive fishing rights to harvest Baja spiny lobster and other benthic species within the defined TURF areas. FEDECOOP oversees marketing and commercialization of the harvest and helps coordinate fishery management activities between the 13 Cooperatives under its purview. The fishing rights increased stewardship and prompted a move towards a co-management system with the Mexican government.