From Sonora for Veracruz: the Value Rescue Model travels to the Gulf of Mexico

In March 2025, the fishing cooperative Barranqueña del Golfo from Las Barrancas, Veracruz, took a bold step toward improving its fisheries by embarking on a transformative journey to San Carlos, Sonora, to meet with the 29 de Agosto fishing cooperative. This exchange, facilitated by SmartFish AC, gave members of Barranqueña del Golfo a firsthand look at the Value Rescue Model in action—a process that 29 de Agosto followed to access premium markets. They also learned about the creation of a fishing refugia (no-take area) and establishment of a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) in the Gulf of California region in Sonora. Throughout the exchange, members of Barranqueña del Golfo were inspired by how 29 de Agosto positioned itself in new markets through efforts in environmental sustainability, quality improvement, value addition to the fish, and ensuring the legality and traceability of their products. Other key lessons included the cooperative’s leadership and its strategic collaboration with institutions such as CONANP, CONAPESCA, COBI, and SmartFish AC.

The members of Barranqueña del Golfo witnessed firsthand the importance of best handling practices on board vessels, quality control at the processing plant, the use of a digital traceability system, and the establishment of fish refuges to sustain local marine ecosystems. Empowered by the lessons learned, they returned to Veracruz focused on implementing better practices in their fishery—such as pursuing a fisheries management instrument in the protected natural area, upgrading their processing infrastructure, adopting optimal quality standards, and strengthening their cooperative’s management.

This success story is just the beginning for Barranqueña del Golfo, as they continue to build on their newly acquired knowledge and work toward a more sustainable and prosperous future for fishing communities in Veracruz.

This exchange was made possible thanks to funding from the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature, through its Learning Community for Protected Natural Areas, which brought together people from both of Mexico’s gulfs to share experiences between the Veracruz Reef System National Park and the Islas del Golfo de California Flora and Fauna Protection Area.