# Mexico anti‑illegal fishing enforcement > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-antiillegal-fishing-enforcement > Updated: 2026-08-31T20:52:47.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 4. In early July 2026, Conapesca launched coordinated inter‑agency operations to stop shrimp smuggling. A June crackdown, spanning 19 states, resulted in the seizure of 462,550 kg of illegal fish products, 1,436 pieces of gear, 24 vehicles, 17 small vessels, and nine outboard motors, alongside three arrests. Conapesca publicized these results on 30 July and reiterated its 24‑hour hotline (669 915 6913). On 1 August, the agency expanded its measures by imposing fishing bans effective 00:00 UTC. These restrictions, covering abalone, langostino, octopus, several shark species, and all fish in the Dique La Primavera, extend from Baja California Sur to the Veracruz reef system through late 2026. Simultaneously, Conapesca opened a registration window (3–14 August) for the 2026 Genetic Resources Component, a grant program offering up to 90,000 pesos to beneficiaries for improving the genetic stock of tilapia, trout, carp, catfish, oyster, or shrimp. In late August, Conapesca announced additional fishing bans for September across Baja California, Baja California Sur, Tamaulipas, and Tabasco, based on technical assessments from the Mexican Institute for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (IMIPAS). Specific restrictions include various abalone species in Zones II and III of Baja California Sur until 31 January 2027, chocolate clams in the Bahía Magdalena-Almejas lagoon system until 31 December, and mullet (Lisa) and Liseta in Laguna Madre, Tamaulipas, until 10 November. ## Claims - Conapesca retained 462,550 kg of illegal fish product in June 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The seizure involved 236 inspection acts, 1,137 verifications, 1,216 land patrols and 236 water patrols. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Conapesca confiscated 1,436 fishing gear items, 24 vehicles, 17 small vessels, nine outboard motors and arrested three people. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The operation covered the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Colima, Mexico City, Guerrero, Jalisco, Nayarit, Sinaloa, Sonora, Veracruz and Yucatán. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Conapesca maintains a 24‑hour hotline (669 915 6913) and an online platform for reporting illegal fishing. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: Conapesca announces six fishing bans in Mexico for September Conapesca has implemented six fishing bans in Mexico starting in September to protect biodiversity in Baja California, Baja California Sur, Tamaulipas, and Tabasco. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/conapesca-announces-six-fishing-bans-in-mexico-for-september ### 2026-08-01: Mexico's Conapesca imposes new fishing bans and opens aquaculture grant applications Conapesca starts fishing bans on 1 Aug for several species across Mexican waters and opens Aug 3‑14 registration for 2026 aquaculture grants up to 90,000 pesos per beneficiary. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-conapesca-imposes-new-fishing-bans-and-opens-aquaculture-grant-applications ### 2026-07-30: Mexico's Conapesca seizes 462,550 kg of illegal fish product in June Conapesca seized 462,550 kg of illegal fish product in June 2026, after 236 inspections and 1,216 land patrols across 19 Mexican states, confiscating gear, vehicles and arresting three people. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-conapesca-confiscates-462-t-of-illegal-fish-products-in-june ### 2026-07-11: Mexico's CONAPESCA Tackles Shrimp Smuggling with Interagency Operations Mexico's CONAPESCA, guided by President Sheinbaum, held inter‑agency inspections that seized over 1,000 tons of illegal seafood, including 64 tons of shrimp, to protect the domestic aquaculture industry. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-conapesca-tackles-shrimp-smuggling-with-interagency-operations --- Cite as: Mexico anti‑illegal fishing enforcement. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-antiillegal-fishing-enforcement