Mexico announces October reopening of shrimp and tuna fishing seasons

The National Commission of Aquaculture and Fishing (Conapesca) has announced the staggered reopening of various fishing seasons across Mexico starting in October.

Shrimp fishing in the estuarine lagoon systems of Tabasco and for the ‘siete barbas’ species off the coasts of Campeche and Tabasco began on October 1. In the marine waters of Los Caladeros de Contoy, Quintana Roo, and the coastal strips of Campeche and Tabasco, the season opened on October 2. For federal waters in the Pacific Ocean, including the Upper Gulf of California, the shrimp season is scheduled to begin on October 7.

Other seasonal updates include the capture of tuna, lobster, and various fish species at Dique La Primavera in Sinaloa, which is permitted from October 1 through July 31. Tuna harvesting for vessels under the first closed season period is set to resume on October 9, while lobster fishing for specific species will begin on October 31 in Zone IV.

Conversely, new restrictions have been implemented to protect certain species, including bans on the capture of ‘pez bobo’ in the inland waters of Veracruz and abalone in Baja California Sur. These measures were established based on technical opinions from the Mexican Institute of Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (IMIPAS) to ensure ecosystem balance and sustainable resource management.