Mexico Eyes Reform to Boost Innovation in Fisheries

A proposed reform to the General Law of Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture aims to institutionalize technological innovation and digital oversight within SADER. By integrating tools such as GIS and satellite monitoring, the initiative seeks to modernize resource management for more than 213,000 workers while aligning the sector with Food and Agriculture Organization sustainability standards. The shift is expected to strengthen Mexico’s agrifood competitiveness and food sovereignty by streamlining processes such as CONAPESCA permitting and enabling greater integration of small-scale producers into global value chains.

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A legislative reform to Mexico’s General Law of Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture has been proposed by Deputy Jesús Fernando García Hernández of the Workers’ Party, aiming to establish technological innovation as a strategic pillar for resource management. The initiative seeks to grant the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) explicit authority to promote digital tools that optimize the administration, production, and sustainable use of aquatic resources.

According to the proposal, scientific advancement is essential to transforming agrifood systems into more resilient models, particularly as aquaculture has become the fastest-growing food production sector globally, currently outpacing capture fisheries. The initiative states that adopting modern technologies will improve productivity, enhance food safety, and mitigate the environmental impact of both fishing and aquaculture activities.

The proposed technological framework includes geographic information systems (GIS), satellite monitoring for vessel tracking, and digital platforms for market traceability. These tools are intended to facilitate the integration of small-scale producers into broader domestic and international markets.

Recent efforts by Mexico’s National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA) to digitize the sector have already yielded results. In March, the commission announced a reduction in the processing time for commercial permits from 60 days to 21 days through the implementation of digital platforms.

Beyond technical measures, the initiative also addresses the economic stability of coastal and rural communities. By establishing regulatory frameworks based on sustainability, the bill encourages collaboration among the public, private, and social sectors. The proposal aligns with international standards promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which identifies innovation as a key driver for achieving food sovereignty.

According to the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA), approximately 213,000 people are directly employed in Mexico’s fishing and aquaculture industry, with more than 160,000 classified as small-scale producers.

Mexico Tightens Fishing Limits to Protect Marine Populations

The bill comes amid growing calls to address sustainability challenges in the sector, particularly overfishing. In late 2025, CONAPESCA and SADER announced a comprehensive set of closed seasons and regulated harvesting periods.

The regulations apply across eight states and establish specific legal capture windows. CONAPESCA stated that the objective is to safeguard species sustainability and ensure the long-term viability of the fishing sector, noting that the measures respond to decades of ecological pressure on coastal and inland ecosystems.

Harvesting for pen shell (Pinna rugosa, Atrina oldroydii, Atrina maura, Atrina tuberculosa) will be permitted in Bahía de Kino, Sonora, from December 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. In Baja California, the season for two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculatus) will remain open through July 2026, and for Octopus hubbsorum through August 2026. Bobo mullet (Joturus spp.) may be harvested in inland waters of Veracruz from December 16, 2025, to September 30, 2026.

A closed season for Catarina scallop (Argopecten circularis) will apply in Baja California and Baja California Sur from December 15, 2025, to March 31, 2026. Striped and white mullet (Mugil cephalus and Mugil curema) will face a full-month ban in Tamaulipas and northern Veracruz during December 2025. A broader ban on Mugil cephalus will extend along the coasts of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Jalisco from December 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026.

Authorities emphasized that these seasonal restrictions aim to stabilize fish populations and prevent long-term declines caused by overexploitation. To support compliance, CONAPESCA has activated a 24/7 national hotline for reporting illegal fishing and underscored the importance of community involvement in resource protection.

The new measures align with broader efforts by state governments to strengthen the resilience of Mexico’s coastal ecosystems. In July 2025, Sinaloa introduced the country’s first State Climate Action Plan for Fisheries and Aquaculture, outlining initiatives to enhance resilience and promote sustainable practices. A key component of the plan is the adoption of flexible closed seasons to support adaptive co-management of at-risk species.