Gulf Corvina
Gulf corvina faces major challenges, including changing conditions in their habitat and overfishing that makes it extremely vulnerable to extinction.
Consumer Note
The word "corvina" is a general term used to describe a number of fish species. Gulf corvina is fished year-round in the Gulf of California and is usually only available in the local region immediately surrounding the Gulf.
Summary
Gulf corvina is found only in the cooler northern waters of the Gulf of California and the Colorado River delta. Unable to survive in the warmer waters to the south, Gulf corvina is limited to a relatively small habitat. Any species with a small habitat range is extremely vulnerable to changes in conditions and the corvina is no exception. Habitat degradation in the Gulf as well as the river delta has reduced corvina populations. Important spawning and nursery habitat in the Colorado River delta has been degraded by upstream water diversions, which lower the flow of freshwater and change temperature and sediment conditions.
Its small and very limited range also makes Gulf corvina vulnerable to overfishing. Indeed, the population has been - and continues to be - severely overfished. Contributing to the problem is the minimal and ineffective management of the fishery. As a result, fewer and smaller fish are being caught than just a few years ago. Two types of fishing gear used for Gulf corvina, gillnets and trawls, lead to serious bycatch and habitat damage.
For these reasons, Gulf corvina is ranked as an "Avoid."
Scientific Reports About Our Ratings
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