Venezuela's fisheries ministry secures Suriname pact and launches 406‑tonne seafood export

Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Juan Carlos Loyo announced that a trade agreement with Suriname is ready, aiming to protect large‑scale artisanal fishermen around Margarita and to establish a legal framework for operations in international waters. He also said negotiations with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are progressing to resume exports to the United States, with simplified administrative procedures expected within weeks.

In a related development, 406 tonnes of seafood – including algae, octopus, various fish species and the prized lionfish – were shipped from the El Guamache International Port in Nueva Esparta. The cargo, packed in 17 containers, is bound for high‑value markets in China, Japan, Canada, Chile and Guadeloupe. The export was highlighted by President Delcy Rodríguez and Nueva Esparta Governor Marisel Velásquez as a step toward generating foreign‑exchange earnings and diversifying Venezuela’s economy beyond hydrocarbons.