Mexico Secures US Certification for Wild Shrimp Exports

The US government officially published in its Federal Registry the US certification granted to Mexico for the export of wild shrimp. This recognition follows Mexico’s compliance with the mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) on larger shrimp vessels, a critical measure designed to reduce the incidental capture of sea turtles during fishing operations.

The certification confirms that Mexico has implemented effective strategies to minimize turtle bycatch, which are verified annually by US authorities through inspections conducted both onshore and offshore. This achievement reflects a coordinated effort between Mexican government agencies and the offshore fishing sector.

In 2024, over 1,200 crew members, 45 net makers, and 16 specialists across multiple coastal states including Campeche, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz received specialized training to ensure the proper construction, installation, and operation of TEDs and Fish Excluder Devices (FEDs).

CONAPESCA’s ongoing Awareness and Training Program continues to advance knowledge and skills related to the correct use of these devices. The program aims to train more than 1,500 individuals nationwide in 2025. Training covers both technical aspects for net makers, who build the devices following NOM-061-SAG-PESC/SEMARNAT-2016 standards, and operational procedures for crew members to maintain sustainability and compliance with regulations NOM-002-SAG/PESC-2013 and NOM-061-SAG-PESC/SEMARNAT-2016.

On World Sea Turtle Day, CONAPESCA encouraged fishers to uphold responsible fishing practices. Protecting sea turtles is not only an environmental imperative but also crucial for sustaining Mexico’s access to international seafood markets, ensuring the long-term viability of its shrimp export industry.