The Mexican government claims to have seized 4,266 tons of gear and products from illegal fishing operations during the first half of 2025.
“The results demonstrate the strengthening of the fight against illegal fishing, a priority for agriculture to ensure the responsible use of our country's aquatic resources,” the National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA) said in a release. “These actions reaffirm the commitment of the Second Floor Government of the Fourth Transformation, led by [President] Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, to combat illegal fishing and conserve marine ecosystems.”
As part of the government’s inspection and surveillance operations, Conapesca and the Mexican Navy seized 7,689 pieces of fishing gear, 220 vehicles, 79 boat motors, 107 small board, and four large vessels during the first six months of the year. Law enforcement referred 15 people to the nation's prosecutor’s office as well.
Mexico's government started the year promising to improve fisheries inspections and surveillance in 2025, and law enforcement is already approaching 2024's total numbers. Last year, the government reported seizing 11,240 pieces of fishing gear, 298 vehicles, and four large vessels.
“Agriculture continues with actions to achieve fisheries sustainability in order to ensure the future of the industry and, at the same time, that of the thousands of families who depend on this essential activity to strengthen the country's food sovereignty,” the government said in an August 2025 statement.
In July 2025, Conapesca installed satellite tracking devices on 10 small vessels operating in the Upper Gulf of California as part of its ongoing efforts to better monitor and deter the illegal totoaba trade. The government plans to install 850 satellite tracking devices on vessels operating in San Felipe, Baja California, and the Gulf of Santa Clara and Puerto Peñasco, Sonora.
