Mexico’s National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (Conapesca) has put out a statement claiming that a nearly completed ammonia plant being built in Topolobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico, won’t affect commercial fishing activity.
The production facility is being built within the Port of Topolobampo and will be connected to the nation’s natural gas infrastructure. Project developer Proman GPO, the Mexican subsidiary of Swiss energy company Proman, said the plant will reduce ammonia imports by 70 percent with a production capacity of 2,220 metric tons per day.
In response to local concerns and opposition, Conapesca put out a release clarifying that commercial fishing permits in the area will remain valid and reassuring fishers that they won’t be impacted by the development.
The government will also launch a monitoring program in Ohuira Bay in cooperation with the Mexican Institute for Research in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (IMIPAS) to analyze the health of fish species caught in the area.
Proman GPO has previously stated that its project will not affect fishing in surrounding waters.
“The project will not affect fish stocks, as no pollutants or toxic substances will be discharged into Ohuira Bay. It also incorporates science-based technologies, such as filtration systems, to reduce any potential impacts on larvae and aquatic species,” the company said on its website. “Furthermore, the plant is equipped with a wastewater treatment system, which ensures that all discharges comply with environmental regulations.”
Proman GPO has also conducted outreach efforts to local fishers, providing modernized nets and fuel support at the beginning of the shrimp season.
“Alongside these investments, we are working with the cooperatives to reinforce shared commitments, helping to build a more resilient and coordinated local fishing sector,” Proman GPO said.
