[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]By: Paloma A. Valdivia Jiménez, Education and Liaison Manager, CEDO | Cover photo: CEDO Archive[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2073″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]In May 2021, the Intercultural Center for the Study of Desert and Oceans (CEDO) was accredited as a Competency Certification and Evaluation Entity (ECE) before the Mexican National Council for Standardization and Certification of Labor Competencies (CONOCER). With this accreditation, CEDO offers fishermen, professionals and other interested parties the opportunity to certify their knowledge, abilities, skills and individual behaviors to develop work activities particularly related to artisanal fishing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Certification of labor competencies is a process through which people demonstrate their knowledge, abilities and skills by means of evidence and regardless of how they acquired them, that are necessary to fulfill a function at a high level of performance, as defined by a Standard of Competence.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″ overflow=”default” css=”.vc_custom_1630596729458{margin-top: -40px !important;border-top-width: -20px !important;}”][vc_column_text]With CEDO’s School of the Sea we want to reach each and every fisher in the northern Gulf of California. We are starting with standards “EC578 Application of good practices for the handling fishery products on board of smaller vessels” and “EC820 Monitoring coastal fishing activity”.

This joint effort with Pronatura Noroeste, COBI and SmartFish will also provide certifications to fishermen from other locations.

The first certification effort with the goal of certifying a cohort of 65 fishers, started this week with the Coopertativa Bahía San Jorge at Ejido Rodolfo Campodónico (Caborca, Sonora) and Puerto Peñasco Sonora. This effort is supported by Nacional Monte de Piedad through the Social Investment for self-employment project.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2076″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”link_image”][vc_single_image image=”2060″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2067″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Certification comprises three steps, diagnosis, a leveling course, and the subsequent evaluation of the competence. On October 18 and 19, trainers María Bojorquez and José Alfredo Bahena Catalán, instructors from the Centro de Extensionismo y Estandarización Laboral S.C. (CEEL) offered this training at the CEDO Campus.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our thanks to the Penmont Fresnillo Mine, who joined us to distribute the Good Fishing Practices brochure and for their collaboration transporting attendees to CEDO, as well as to Ramón Suárez, Head of the Puerto Peñasco City Council Fisheries Office.

We hope that very soon other interested parties, students, and youth building the future will join in this effort.

Here’s to our trained fishers!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_media_grid element_width=”3″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1636005984044-516e2aaa-d0b4-5″ include=”2070,2069,2068,2067,2066,2065,2064,2063,2062,2061,2060,2059″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”CHANGING THE COURSE OF FISHING” h4=”Education for Sustainable Fisheries and Healthy Ecosystems in the Northern Gulf of California” txt_align=”justify” style=”flat” color=”blue” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”MAKE A DONATION today and join us to change the course of fishing” btn_color=”juicy-pink” btn_size=”lg” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-hand-holding-heart” btn_add_icon=”true” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fgive.cedo.org%2Fcampaign%2Fchanging-the-course-of-fishing%2Fc374358||target:%20_blank|”]At CEDO we are committed to education to CHANGE THE COURSE OF FISHING in the Gulf of California. Through our School of the Sea, WE TRAIN and CERTIFY fisherfolk in the region to acquire the knowledge and skills to fish responsibly and sustainably so that we can all continue to enjoy the bounty of the sea and protect endangered species to secure the future of our oceans and the communities that depend on them. By strengthening the capacities of fisherfolk with a long-term vision, we can ensure the fisheries’ ecological, economic and social sustainability.

Together we can change the course of fishing in the northern Gulf of California! There are different ways to make this project possible, YOU CHOOSE WHICH HERO YOU’D LIKE TO BECOME: 

1. Ocean Guardian: Sponsor a fisher! With your support we can teach fisherfolk about business administration, sanitary protocols in times of COVID, handling of fishery products, and how to monitor fishing and bycatch.
2. Ocean Guide: Expand hope for our oceans! Your donation supports the training of a trainer and certifier who will strengthen the capacities of fisherfolk  in the northern Gulf of California.
3. Community Center Captain: Strengthen the infrastructure of  the training centers in the fishing communities of the northern Gulf of California! Your donation supports the expansion of  internet and communication services and allows us to get computer and virtual training equipment.

[/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator style=”shadow” border_width=”2″][vcj_team_member image=”2077″ name=”About the Author:” layout=”style3″ image_ratio=”portrait” color_name=”#ca972e”]Paloma Alejandra Valdivia Jiménez. Education and Liaison Manager of Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans.

Since childhood I have been passionate about nature; Understanding it and promoting its conservation led me to study General Biology at the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes (UAA) and to carry out a master’s degree in Use, Management and Preservation of Natural Resources at the Northwest Center for Biological Research (CIBNOR). I have worked in research projects, environmental and scientific education, given classes in biology and ecology.

[/vcj_team_member][vc_column_text]Since 2005 I have been working at CEDO designing and implementing different educational and training programs focused on raising awareness of the ecological, social and economic importance of the Gulf of California and promoting the responsible use of its natural resources by students and teachers, fishermen, service providers tourist, officials, tourists and more.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][ctct form=”1153″ show_title=”false”][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]