Campeche Promotes Seafood Industry at ‘Sabe a Mar’ Expo

The National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA) launched the Campeche Sabe a Mar expo and culinary competition to promote local seafood consumption, strengthen businesses linked to the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, and create new commercial opportunities for producers. The event, held at the Campeche XXI International Convention and Exhibition Center, drew more than 400 attendees, while artisanal fishers staged a protest outside the venue demanding greater access to fuel subsidies and government support.

Rigoberto Salgado, Head, CONAPESCA, said the initiative aligns with President Claudia Sheinbaum's directive to work closely with the productive sector by promoting Mexico's seafood industry.

"The instruction from the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, is to work closely with the productive sector, and the best way to do so is by promoting activities that showcase the gastronomic richness of our seas and inland waters," Salgado said.

He also acknowledged Campeche Governor Layda Sansores for supporting the national strategy to increase domestic consumption of Mexican seafood and recognizing the state's production potential.

Edward Ceballos, Director General, Campeche's Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute (INPESCA), said the event helps raise the profile of sectors that provide safe, high-quality food while creating opportunities for business development.

The expo brought together 32 companies and producers, 29 from Campeche, two from Yucatan and one from Baja California, providing a platform to establish commercial partnerships, access new markets and support the regional economy. The program also included technical sessions on fisheries health, sustainable fishing, seafood nutrition, commercialization, byproduct utilization and value-added processing.

According to CONAPESCA's 2025 Statistical Yearbook, Campeche produced 43,717t of fisheries and aquaculture products, led by octopus, horse mackerel and conch. The state's fishing industry includes 11,785 producers.

The event forms part of the national Mexico Sabe a Mar (Mexico Tastes Like the Sea) program, coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (PROFECO), the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of the Interior and state governments to increase domestic seafood consumption.

Fishers Raise Concerns Over Fuel and Subsidies 

Outside the convention center, however, artisanal fishers demonstrated to demand greater government support. Protesters argued that state assistance programs, including fuel subsidies and the PEMEX Community and Environmental Support Program (PACMA), have failed to adequately benefit small-scale fishing communities.

The demonstrators questioned why diesel support is available for industrial shrimp fleets but not for artisanal fishers. They also accused local authorities of favoring select groups in the distribution of assistance.

Rafael Castilla, Head of the governor's office, met with the protesters after discussions with state officials and asked them to appoint a committee of 10 to 12 representatives to present their concerns directly to Governor Layda Sansores.

"We will look for creative solutions, but that does not mean we will be able to meet 100% of your requests. There first has to be dialogue with the governor," Castilla said.

The meeting is expected to address issues including fuel support, seasonal fishing closures and assistance for communities affected by low catch volumes, highlighting ongoing challenges facing Mexico's small-scale fisheries despite government efforts to promote seafood production and consumption.