Jorge Torre | COBI - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Jorge Torre

Research paper thumbnail of Implementación de Reservas Marinas en México

Research paper thumbnail of Zostera marina meadows from the Gulf of California: conservation status

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of PLANEACIÓN ECORREGIONAL PARA LA CONSERVACIÓN MARINA: Golfo de California y costa occidental de Baja California Sur

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in a Co-Management Regime: The Mexican Seri Indians' Case of Study

"In Mexico, the coastal ecosystems that have traditionally been used by local communities fo... more "In Mexico, the coastal ecosystems that have traditionally been used by local communities for small-scale fishing activities are overexploited, or near to overexploitation. The main causes are: 1) absence of clearly defined fishing property rights; 2) social heterogeneity within fishing communities; 3) failure by governmental agencies to recognize and support the community's organizational efforts; 4) low effectiveness of fishing regulatory tools designed by the government; and 5) lack of reliable biological data of fishing resources. "The Seri Indians' case offers a unique setting among Mexican small scale fishing communities. The Seri Indians are a seafaring tribe that has inhabited the central portion of the Gulf of California for thousands of years. After surviving several extermination wars by Spanish and Mexicans, the Mexican government granted them their own territory in 1975 in order to assure their survival and reduce potential conflicts with other Mexican...

Research paper thumbnail of Diseño de una red de reservas marinas para los arrecifes costeros en la Región de las Grandes Islas, Golfo de California

Research paper thumbnail of Macro Invertebrates in Sargassum forest at the Gulf of California

Research paper thumbnail of Ciencia ciudadana: ¿Qué es?, ¿Cómo participan las comunidades?

Research paper thumbnail of Valoración Económica de los Servicios Ecosistémicos de los Bosques de Sargassum en el Golfo de California, México

Research paper thumbnail of Lopez Calderon et al 2013 Biodiversitas 106

Research paper thumbnail of Conservation status of Zostera marina populations at Mexican Pacific

Human activities and global warming are driving major modifications in the world’s ecosystems; th... more Human activities and global warming are driving major modifications in the world’s ecosystems; the coastal zone being one of the most damaged because less attention. Seagrass meadows constitute coastal communities that have experienced great losses worldwide but remains as one of the most productive. The dominant seagrass in the meadows of the coastal lagoons at Mexican Pacific coast is Zostera marina L. and represent the southern boundary of the species in the northeast Pacific. This species is heavily damaged by human activities mainly fisheries trawling and the lack of an appropriate legal protection and no management plan available. Even when seagrasses are considered as part of the Mexican Official Norm (NOM-022-SEMARNAT-2003) who protects mainly mangrove and wetlands in general and brief mention of seagrasses is made. They are not considered in the species endanger list (NOM-ECOL-059). Pacific coast populations of Z. marina are not only separated geographically but also geneti...

Research paper thumbnail of Bosqu es de algas pardas en el Golfo de California: Sargassum, un hábitat esencial

Research paper thumbnail of Paedomorphic Ossification in Porpoises with an Emphasis on the Vaquita (<I>Phocoena sinus</I>)

Aquatic Mammals, 2009

Heterochrony, the change in timing of developmental processes, is thought to be a key process sha... more Heterochrony, the change in timing of developmental processes, is thought to be a key process shaping the numerous limb morphologies of tetrapods. Through a delayed offset in digit development, all cetaceans (i.e., whales, dolphins, and porpoises) have evolved supernumary phalanges (hyperphalangy). Moreover, some toothed cetaceans further alter digital morphologies by delayed endochondral and perichondral ossification of individual elements. In the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), these paedomorphic patterns have created poorly ossified phalangeal elements. However, no studies have addressed this morphology in other porpoise taxa. This study documents the timing of carpal and digital epiphyseal ossification in the poorly studied vaquita (Phocoena sinus) based on radiographs (n = 18) of known-age specimens. Patterns of vaquita manus ossification were compared between other porpoise and delphinid taxa. Adult vaquitas are paedomorphic in carpal, metacarpal, and digital development as they maintain a juvenile ossification pattern relative to that of other porpoise species of equivalent ages. Vaquitas also ossify fewer carpal elements as compared to other porpoise and some delphinid cetaceans, and ossification arrests relative to that of the harbor porpoise. Vaquitas also display sexual dimorphism as females reach a greater body size and display more ossified elements in the manus relative to their paedomorphic male cohorts.

Research paper thumbnail of The Emergence of Access Controls in Small-Scale Fishing Commons: A Comparative Analysis of Individual Licenses and Common Property-Rights in Two Mexican Communities

Human Ecology, 2012

Addressing global fisheries overexploitation requires better understanding of how small-scale fis... more Addressing global fisheries overexploitation requires better understanding of how small-scale fishing communities in developing countries limit access to fishing grounds. We analyze the performance of a system based on individual licenses and a common property-rights regime in their ability to generate incentives for self-governance and conservation of fishery resources. Using a qualitative beforeafter-control-impact approach, we compare two neighbouring fishing communities in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Both were initially governed by the same permit system, are situated in the same ecosystem, use similar harvesting technology, and have overharvested similar species. One community changed to a common property-right regime, enabling the emergence of access controls and avoiding overexploitation of benthic resources, while the other community, still relies on the permit system. We discuss the roles played by power, institutions, socio-historic, and biophysical factors to develop access controls.

Research paper thumbnail of Asymmetric connectivity of spawning aggregations of a commercially important marine fish using a multidisciplinary approach

Understanding patterns of larval dispersal is key in determining whether no-take marine reserves ... more Understanding patterns of larval dispersal is key in determining whether no-take marine reserves are self-sustaining, what will be protected inside reserves and where the benefits of reserves will be observed.We followed a multidisciplinary approach that merged detailed descriptions of fishing zones and spawning time at 17 sites distributed in the MidriV Island region of the Gulf of California with a biophysical oceanographic model that simulated larval transport at Pelagic Larval Duration (PLD) 14, 21 and 28 days for the most common and targeted predatory reef fish, (leopard grouper Mycteroperca rosacea).We tested the hypothesis that source–sink larval metapopulation dynamics describing the direction and frequency of larval dispersal according to an oceanographic model can help to explain empirical genetic data. We described modeled metapopulation dynamics using graph theory and employed empirical sequence data from a subset of 11 sites at two mitochondrial genes to verify the model predictions based on patterns of genetic diversity within sites and genetic structure between sites.We employed a population graph describing a network of genetic relationships among sites and contrasted it against modeled networks. While our results failed to explain genetic diversity within sites, they confirmed that ocean models summarized via graph and adjacency distances over modeled networks can explain seemingly chaotic patterns of genetic structure between sites. Empirical and modeled networks showed significant similarities in the clustering coeYcients of each site and adjacency matrices between sites. Most of the connectivity patterns observed towards downstream sites (Sonora coast) were strictly asymmetric, while those between upstream sites (Baja and theMidriVs).

Research paper thumbnail of The changing role of NGOs in Mexican small-scale fisheries: From environmental conservation to multi-scale governance

Marine Policy, 2014

ABSTRACT a b s t r a c t Multi-scale governance has been widely recommended for effective marine ... more ABSTRACT a b s t r a c t Multi-scale governance has been widely recommended for effective marine resource management. This approach suggests collective decision-making, the devolution of some rights and responsibilities to various entities, co-production of knowledge, coupling governance and ecological scales, among other elements. Here, the elements of multi-scale governance of Mexican small-scale fisheries (SSF) and the contribution of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to this approach are described. Three manage-ment processes were selected for the analysis: (1) the development of the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) for the swimming crab fishery; (2) the establishment of fishing refugia in the Punta San Cosme to Punta Coyote Corridor; and (3) the implementation of catch shares in the Gulf corvina fishery. The results suggest that NGOs are contributing to most of the key attributes for multi-scale fisheries governance. Given the NGOs&#39; agenda shift in the Gulf of California region, from advocacy for environmental conservation to participation in sustainable management, there has been a wider promotion and acceptance of NGOs within governance related processes in fisheries management. In order to clarify alignments with other stakeholder agendas, as well as to continue building trust, NGOs need to make their governance agenda explicit. This work provides insights on how NGOs can contribute to multi-scale governance and a framework for the evaluation of management processes and the contribution of different stakeholders to multi-scale governance, which can be applied to any management process.

Research paper thumbnail of Rapidly shifting environmental baselines among fishers of the Gulf of California

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Integrating the spatial and temporal dimensions of fishing activities for management in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico

Ocean & Coastal Management, 2012

Fishers' knowledge collected through a rapid appraisal process that involved semi-structured inte... more Fishers' knowledge collected through a rapid appraisal process that involved semi-structured interviews in 17 fishing communities in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico, was used to understand the spatial and temporal scales at which small-scale fisheries operate. This study identifies 43 main target species and group of species and the fishing gear preference(s) for the harvest of each. The reported spatial and temporal patterns associated with the target species were used to evaluate use of existing marine protected areas (MPAs), the distance traveled to reach fishing areas, and the timing and locations of fishing activities. MPAs were found to be important fishing areas for multiple communities with 79% of the total area within MPAs being actively utilized. Five communities stand out in their capacity to travel up to 200 km to reach their fishing grounds. The results also show a clear a seasonal differentiation in species and areas targeted as well as fishing gear and methods used. A systematic incorporation of information related to spatial and temporal scales in fishing activities provides additional opportunities for the sustainable management of fisheries, both for the Mexican government and local interests. The incorporation of local knowledge helped building a source of information that can provide insights for regulatory agencies in the development of spatially explicit management measures in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico.

Research paper thumbnail of Governance and effects of marine reserves in the Gulf of California, Mexico

Ocean & Coastal Management, 2009

We trace the evolution, governance, and effects of three marine reserve (no-take zones) initiativ... more We trace the evolution, governance, and effects of three marine reserve (no-take zones) initiatives in the Gulf of California, Mexico: Loreto Bay National Park, Puerto Peñ asco, and San Pedro Má rtir Island Biosphere Reserve. Preliminary monitoring results, although highly variable, are encouraging for conservation and fisheries management. However, open access situations and differing conceptions among local stakeholders and government concerning access rights to fishing grounds, coupled with limited support for surveillance and lags between local and government institutional arrangements and interests, are the main constraints for the success of these and future reserves in the region. We discuss the main social-ecological feedbacks at play and the implications of our findings within a regional context.

Research paper thumbnail of Insights from the users to improve fisheries performance: Fishers’ knowledge and attitudes on fisheries policies in Bahía de Kino, Gulf of California, Mexico

Research paper thumbnail of Effective ecosystem-based management must encourage regulatory compliance: A Gulf of California case study

Marine Policy, 2012

ABSTRACT The Northern Gulf of California is an area important for small-scale fisheries in terms ... more ABSTRACT The Northern Gulf of California is an area important for small-scale fisheries in terms of economic activity and food security, but widespread non-compliance with fisheries regulations impedes effective management of resources and conservation efforts. Where a previous study evaluated quantitatively a theoretical situation in which all regulations are perfectly followed, this article compares a suite of recently proposed ecosystem-based management (EBM) policies against the expected benefits of full enforcement of current regulations. Policies evaluated include no-take marine protected areas (MPAs), breeding period closures, changes in hook size and fishing effort, and gear-specific spatial closures. No-take MPAs yield ecological benefits over a wide range of MPA sizes and characteristics, but do not increase overall catch. Seasonal closures are effective at reducing overfishing for the depleted leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea); changing the hook size of artisanal longlines does not increase catch of either the target species or the assemblage, and gear-specific fishery closures for crab traps near Puerto Peñasco are effective at reducing overfishing of blue crab (Callinectes bellicosus and C. arcuatus). In general, full enforcement of existing regulations outperforms these EBM policies in terms of conservation benefits, but it may be less palatable to stakeholders as it requires major reductions in catch.

Research paper thumbnail of Implementación de Reservas Marinas en México

Research paper thumbnail of Zostera marina meadows from the Gulf of California: conservation status

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of PLANEACIÓN ECORREGIONAL PARA LA CONSERVACIÓN MARINA: Golfo de California y costa occidental de Baja California Sur

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in a Co-Management Regime: The Mexican Seri Indians' Case of Study

"In Mexico, the coastal ecosystems that have traditionally been used by local communities fo... more "In Mexico, the coastal ecosystems that have traditionally been used by local communities for small-scale fishing activities are overexploited, or near to overexploitation. The main causes are: 1) absence of clearly defined fishing property rights; 2) social heterogeneity within fishing communities; 3) failure by governmental agencies to recognize and support the community's organizational efforts; 4) low effectiveness of fishing regulatory tools designed by the government; and 5) lack of reliable biological data of fishing resources. "The Seri Indians' case offers a unique setting among Mexican small scale fishing communities. The Seri Indians are a seafaring tribe that has inhabited the central portion of the Gulf of California for thousands of years. After surviving several extermination wars by Spanish and Mexicans, the Mexican government granted them their own territory in 1975 in order to assure their survival and reduce potential conflicts with other Mexican...

Research paper thumbnail of Diseño de una red de reservas marinas para los arrecifes costeros en la Región de las Grandes Islas, Golfo de California

Research paper thumbnail of Macro Invertebrates in Sargassum forest at the Gulf of California

Research paper thumbnail of Ciencia ciudadana: ¿Qué es?, ¿Cómo participan las comunidades?

Research paper thumbnail of Valoración Económica de los Servicios Ecosistémicos de los Bosques de Sargassum en el Golfo de California, México

Research paper thumbnail of Lopez Calderon et al 2013 Biodiversitas 106

Research paper thumbnail of Conservation status of Zostera marina populations at Mexican Pacific

Human activities and global warming are driving major modifications in the world’s ecosystems; th... more Human activities and global warming are driving major modifications in the world’s ecosystems; the coastal zone being one of the most damaged because less attention. Seagrass meadows constitute coastal communities that have experienced great losses worldwide but remains as one of the most productive. The dominant seagrass in the meadows of the coastal lagoons at Mexican Pacific coast is Zostera marina L. and represent the southern boundary of the species in the northeast Pacific. This species is heavily damaged by human activities mainly fisheries trawling and the lack of an appropriate legal protection and no management plan available. Even when seagrasses are considered as part of the Mexican Official Norm (NOM-022-SEMARNAT-2003) who protects mainly mangrove and wetlands in general and brief mention of seagrasses is made. They are not considered in the species endanger list (NOM-ECOL-059). Pacific coast populations of Z. marina are not only separated geographically but also geneti...

Research paper thumbnail of Bosqu es de algas pardas en el Golfo de California: Sargassum, un hábitat esencial

Research paper thumbnail of Paedomorphic Ossification in Porpoises with an Emphasis on the Vaquita (<I>Phocoena sinus</I>)

Aquatic Mammals, 2009

Heterochrony, the change in timing of developmental processes, is thought to be a key process sha... more Heterochrony, the change in timing of developmental processes, is thought to be a key process shaping the numerous limb morphologies of tetrapods. Through a delayed offset in digit development, all cetaceans (i.e., whales, dolphins, and porpoises) have evolved supernumary phalanges (hyperphalangy). Moreover, some toothed cetaceans further alter digital morphologies by delayed endochondral and perichondral ossification of individual elements. In the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), these paedomorphic patterns have created poorly ossified phalangeal elements. However, no studies have addressed this morphology in other porpoise taxa. This study documents the timing of carpal and digital epiphyseal ossification in the poorly studied vaquita (Phocoena sinus) based on radiographs (n = 18) of known-age specimens. Patterns of vaquita manus ossification were compared between other porpoise and delphinid taxa. Adult vaquitas are paedomorphic in carpal, metacarpal, and digital development as they maintain a juvenile ossification pattern relative to that of other porpoise species of equivalent ages. Vaquitas also ossify fewer carpal elements as compared to other porpoise and some delphinid cetaceans, and ossification arrests relative to that of the harbor porpoise. Vaquitas also display sexual dimorphism as females reach a greater body size and display more ossified elements in the manus relative to their paedomorphic male cohorts.

Research paper thumbnail of The Emergence of Access Controls in Small-Scale Fishing Commons: A Comparative Analysis of Individual Licenses and Common Property-Rights in Two Mexican Communities

Human Ecology, 2012

Addressing global fisheries overexploitation requires better understanding of how small-scale fis... more Addressing global fisheries overexploitation requires better understanding of how small-scale fishing communities in developing countries limit access to fishing grounds. We analyze the performance of a system based on individual licenses and a common property-rights regime in their ability to generate incentives for self-governance and conservation of fishery resources. Using a qualitative beforeafter-control-impact approach, we compare two neighbouring fishing communities in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Both were initially governed by the same permit system, are situated in the same ecosystem, use similar harvesting technology, and have overharvested similar species. One community changed to a common property-right regime, enabling the emergence of access controls and avoiding overexploitation of benthic resources, while the other community, still relies on the permit system. We discuss the roles played by power, institutions, socio-historic, and biophysical factors to develop access controls.

Research paper thumbnail of Asymmetric connectivity of spawning aggregations of a commercially important marine fish using a multidisciplinary approach

Understanding patterns of larval dispersal is key in determining whether no-take marine reserves ... more Understanding patterns of larval dispersal is key in determining whether no-take marine reserves are self-sustaining, what will be protected inside reserves and where the benefits of reserves will be observed.We followed a multidisciplinary approach that merged detailed descriptions of fishing zones and spawning time at 17 sites distributed in the MidriV Island region of the Gulf of California with a biophysical oceanographic model that simulated larval transport at Pelagic Larval Duration (PLD) 14, 21 and 28 days for the most common and targeted predatory reef fish, (leopard grouper Mycteroperca rosacea).We tested the hypothesis that source–sink larval metapopulation dynamics describing the direction and frequency of larval dispersal according to an oceanographic model can help to explain empirical genetic data. We described modeled metapopulation dynamics using graph theory and employed empirical sequence data from a subset of 11 sites at two mitochondrial genes to verify the model predictions based on patterns of genetic diversity within sites and genetic structure between sites.We employed a population graph describing a network of genetic relationships among sites and contrasted it against modeled networks. While our results failed to explain genetic diversity within sites, they confirmed that ocean models summarized via graph and adjacency distances over modeled networks can explain seemingly chaotic patterns of genetic structure between sites. Empirical and modeled networks showed significant similarities in the clustering coeYcients of each site and adjacency matrices between sites. Most of the connectivity patterns observed towards downstream sites (Sonora coast) were strictly asymmetric, while those between upstream sites (Baja and theMidriVs).

Research paper thumbnail of The changing role of NGOs in Mexican small-scale fisheries: From environmental conservation to multi-scale governance

Marine Policy, 2014

ABSTRACT a b s t r a c t Multi-scale governance has been widely recommended for effective marine ... more ABSTRACT a b s t r a c t Multi-scale governance has been widely recommended for effective marine resource management. This approach suggests collective decision-making, the devolution of some rights and responsibilities to various entities, co-production of knowledge, coupling governance and ecological scales, among other elements. Here, the elements of multi-scale governance of Mexican small-scale fisheries (SSF) and the contribution of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to this approach are described. Three manage-ment processes were selected for the analysis: (1) the development of the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) for the swimming crab fishery; (2) the establishment of fishing refugia in the Punta San Cosme to Punta Coyote Corridor; and (3) the implementation of catch shares in the Gulf corvina fishery. The results suggest that NGOs are contributing to most of the key attributes for multi-scale fisheries governance. Given the NGOs&#39; agenda shift in the Gulf of California region, from advocacy for environmental conservation to participation in sustainable management, there has been a wider promotion and acceptance of NGOs within governance related processes in fisheries management. In order to clarify alignments with other stakeholder agendas, as well as to continue building trust, NGOs need to make their governance agenda explicit. This work provides insights on how NGOs can contribute to multi-scale governance and a framework for the evaluation of management processes and the contribution of different stakeholders to multi-scale governance, which can be applied to any management process.

Research paper thumbnail of Rapidly shifting environmental baselines among fishers of the Gulf of California

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Integrating the spatial and temporal dimensions of fishing activities for management in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico

Ocean & Coastal Management, 2012

Fishers' knowledge collected through a rapid appraisal process that involved semi-structured inte... more Fishers' knowledge collected through a rapid appraisal process that involved semi-structured interviews in 17 fishing communities in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico, was used to understand the spatial and temporal scales at which small-scale fisheries operate. This study identifies 43 main target species and group of species and the fishing gear preference(s) for the harvest of each. The reported spatial and temporal patterns associated with the target species were used to evaluate use of existing marine protected areas (MPAs), the distance traveled to reach fishing areas, and the timing and locations of fishing activities. MPAs were found to be important fishing areas for multiple communities with 79% of the total area within MPAs being actively utilized. Five communities stand out in their capacity to travel up to 200 km to reach their fishing grounds. The results also show a clear a seasonal differentiation in species and areas targeted as well as fishing gear and methods used. A systematic incorporation of information related to spatial and temporal scales in fishing activities provides additional opportunities for the sustainable management of fisheries, both for the Mexican government and local interests. The incorporation of local knowledge helped building a source of information that can provide insights for regulatory agencies in the development of spatially explicit management measures in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico.

Research paper thumbnail of Governance and effects of marine reserves in the Gulf of California, Mexico

Ocean & Coastal Management, 2009

We trace the evolution, governance, and effects of three marine reserve (no-take zones) initiativ... more We trace the evolution, governance, and effects of three marine reserve (no-take zones) initiatives in the Gulf of California, Mexico: Loreto Bay National Park, Puerto Peñ asco, and San Pedro Má rtir Island Biosphere Reserve. Preliminary monitoring results, although highly variable, are encouraging for conservation and fisheries management. However, open access situations and differing conceptions among local stakeholders and government concerning access rights to fishing grounds, coupled with limited support for surveillance and lags between local and government institutional arrangements and interests, are the main constraints for the success of these and future reserves in the region. We discuss the main social-ecological feedbacks at play and the implications of our findings within a regional context.

Research paper thumbnail of Insights from the users to improve fisheries performance: Fishers’ knowledge and attitudes on fisheries policies in Bahía de Kino, Gulf of California, Mexico

Research paper thumbnail of Effective ecosystem-based management must encourage regulatory compliance: A Gulf of California case study

Marine Policy, 2012

ABSTRACT The Northern Gulf of California is an area important for small-scale fisheries in terms ... more ABSTRACT The Northern Gulf of California is an area important for small-scale fisheries in terms of economic activity and food security, but widespread non-compliance with fisheries regulations impedes effective management of resources and conservation efforts. Where a previous study evaluated quantitatively a theoretical situation in which all regulations are perfectly followed, this article compares a suite of recently proposed ecosystem-based management (EBM) policies against the expected benefits of full enforcement of current regulations. Policies evaluated include no-take marine protected areas (MPAs), breeding period closures, changes in hook size and fishing effort, and gear-specific spatial closures. No-take MPAs yield ecological benefits over a wide range of MPA sizes and characteristics, but do not increase overall catch. Seasonal closures are effective at reducing overfishing for the depleted leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea); changing the hook size of artisanal longlines does not increase catch of either the target species or the assemblage, and gear-specific fishery closures for crab traps near Puerto Peñasco are effective at reducing overfishing of blue crab (Callinectes bellicosus and C. arcuatus). In general, full enforcement of existing regulations outperforms these EBM policies in terms of conservation benefits, but it may be less palatable to stakeholders as it requires major reductions in catch.