Fishery activities in the Gulf of California are directed to few species, such as shrimp, sardine, and squid. Capture of these resources has shown they will not increase substantively. It is thus necessary to explore and locate potential fishery resources to offer alternatives to diversify fishery activities.

Figure 1. Form and color of cannonball jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris.

The Gulf of California is very rich in species; some of them are considered as potential fishery resources which have not been exploited because of scarce knowledge. One of these species is the cannonball jellyfish, called this way because of its semispherical bell-shaped dome. The oral arms lead to a mouth tube with a central hole commonly known locally as “piñón” (Fig. 1).

Cannonball jellyfish is only harvested for food in Mexico. The product has a crunchy texture, which is considered a delicacy in many Asian cities. It is valued for its medicinal properties that are traditionally used for diseases such as arthritis and hypertension.

The Mexican states where this species is fished out are: Tabasco, Oaxaca, Sinaloa, and Sonora (Fig. 2) as fishing promotion (PF). During 2004-2007 CIBNOR together with Pesquera México, S.A. de C.V. developed a research project that generated biological and fisheries information on jellyfish. The project currently in process is “Development of a Fisheries Management Plan for Cannonball Jellyfish in Sonora” with 27 cooperative corporations and concessionaires in collaboration with CONAPESCA and INAPESCA. This project seeks to contribute to the establishment of bases for sustainable management considering the opening of commercial fishing of this species.

Figure 2. Fishing process of cannonball jellyfish in the Gulf of California.