Mexico’s National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (Conapesca) has announced that the U.S. government has renewed the nation’s export certification for shrimp.
Conapesca noted that the U.S. State Department has certified that Mexican regulators have taken comparable actions to U.S. regulators to prevent sea turtle bycatch during commercial shrimp harvesting. Mexico said that NOAA staff conducted technical evaluations in March of shrimp boats in Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, and Campeche to determine whether they were properly using turtle excluder devices. The U.S. ultimately awarded Mexico a 93 percent comparability finding.
Conapesca said it regularly hosts courses and workshops on how to use turtle excluder devices, while surveillance from the Mexico Navy ensures their usage.
“The Government of Mexico, through Conapesca, recognizes the effort of the producers and extends its congratulations for their commitment to sustainability in the production of the crustacean, by respecting the species with which it shares habitat,” Conapesca said in a release.
According to Conapesca, Mexico exports 13,884 tons of shrimp to the U.S. annually at a value of USD 142.8 million (EUR 121.9 million) and is one of the main purchasers of Mexican shrimp.
