Fisheries of Monterrey sardine (Sardinops sgax caerulea) is one of the most important ones in Northwest Mexico. Historically, the populations of this resource have been characterized by showing great fluctuations in its abundance, including collapsing in some regions of their geographical distribution.

Up to now, the causes of these fluctuations is little known, which makes management of this resource difficult. It is then imperative to study this species integrally and to perform a bio-economical analysis of this fishery with an eco-systematic focus.

The project is carrying out this study through reaserchin population dynamics (birth, death, growth, etc.) of Monterrey sardine of the western coast of the Baja California peninsula, particularly Bahía Magdalena and Ensenada (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Monterrey sardine catch observed in the western coast of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico.

We are performing a recruiting study that considers the relations with environmental changes, as well as the cost-benefit analysis of the sardine fleet as an element that conditions exploitation and abundance of the resource in time. By using mathematics as a tool, we will construct a model that considers biological and economical aspects.

The integral analysis of this information will allow fisheries authorities:

1. Know the health state of the populations;
   
2. Know the most probable seasons in which environmental conditions may negatively affect stability and growth of populations; and
   
3. Know the impact of the different management strategies on biological and economical factors of the fishery system over time.

Integrating the results will permit to issue recommendations for developing an appropriate management plan for sardine fisheries in the northwestern region of the country.