Mexico’s National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (Conapesca) has established three new fishing refuge zones (ZRP) to help fish populations recover.
Last year, the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRICULTURA) announced its intent to triple the number of ZRPs across nine coastal states, expanding from 28 ZRPs to 83 and protecting 2.2 million marine hectares.
“The new ZRPs are developed through the active participation of fishing communities, which seek to restore fisheries, protect their environment, improve their economy, and contribute to the country's food sovereignty,” Conapesca said at the time.
At the time, fishing industry group Cámara Nacional de las Industrias Pesquera y Acuícola (Canainpesca) criticized the Mexican government for not consulting the commercial seafood sector before moving forward with the expansion.
“We reject the authorities' intention to continue making decisions without scientific support, without resources, and without consulting the productive sector, affecting food self-sufficiency and those engaged in legal fishing in Mexico,” Canainpesca said.
Conapesca announced four new ZRPs in October 2025, targeting the recovery and protection of octopus, lobster, red grouper, and sea cucumber.
Now, the agency has announced three more ZRPs located within the Boca del Álamo-Punta Pescadero corridor off the coast of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Conapesca said the move will help restore populations of several species, including rockfish, sardine, and squid.
