Mexico Recognizes Fishing Communities on World Fisheries Day

On World Fisheries Day, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) highlighted the vital role of fishing communities in ensuring food security, economic growth, and sustainable development across the country.

The National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA) emphasized the social and economic importance of fishing, which sustains at least 240,000 families in Mexico. Alejandro Flores, National Commissioner, CONAPESCA, noted that the sector not only provides employment but also supports territorial economies and ensures access to healthy and nutritious food for the population.

Globally, the International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that fishing employs 50 million people and contributes significantly to human well-being by supplying high-quality protein. In Mexico, the fishing fleet consists of 78,601 vessels, including 1,725 large-scale and 76,876 smaller boats, operating along the country’s 11,200 km of coastline, according to official data.

President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration has prioritized sustainable fishing to balance production with aquatic ecosystem conservation. As part of its Food Sovereignty Strategy, the government integrates fishing and aquaculture initiatives to combat poverty in low-income communities. To mitigate economic losses caused by regulatory measures like fishing bans, the Bienpesca Program operated by CONAPESCA, supports over 190,000 families in the sector.  These measures aim to preserve fish stocks while ensuring the livelihoods of fishing communities.

The Mexican government reaffirmed its commitment to food sovereignty and security, emphasizing that access to adequate nutrition is a constitutional right. By supporting sustainable fishing, the administration seeks to maintain fishing as a cornerstone of healthy diets in the country.